The competition shall be between a maximum of eight teams selected in the following

manner: automatically the first three teams from the preceding World Championships and one team from the Continental Championships of the five continents. The Host Country will be the

representative of that continent. If a vacancy occurs, it shall be filled by the next highest ranked teams

from the continental qualification tournaments or Continental championships, with the following rotation: Asia, Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Europe.

TEAMS

Each team shall consist of seven players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper and who shall wear the goalkeeper's cap, and not more than six reserves who may be used as substitutes. A team playing with less than 7 players shall not be required to have a goalkeeper.

REFEREES

Two referees and two goal judges; or two referees and no goal judges; or one referee and two goal judges.

GOAL JUDGES

The goal judges shall be situated on the same side as the official table, each on the goal line at the end of the field of play.

DURATION OF THE GAME

The duration of the game shall be four periods each of eight minutes actual play. Time shall commence at the start of each period when a player touches the ball. At all signals for stoppages, the recording watch shall be stopped until the ball is put back into play by the ball leaving the hand of the player taking the appropriate throw or when the ball is touched by a player following a neutral throw.

METHOD OF SCORING

A goal shall be scored when the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line, between the goal posts and underneath the crossbar.

A goal may be scored from anywhere within the field of play; except that the goal keeper shall not be permitted to go or touch the ball beyond the half distance line.

A goal may be scored by any part of the body except the clenched fist. A goal may be scored by dribbling the ball into the goal. At the start or any restart of the game, at least two players (of either team but excluding the defending goalkeeper) must intentionally play or touch the ball except at the taking of:

(a)a penalty throw;

(b)a free throw thrown by a player into the player's own goal;

(c)an immediate shot from a goal throw; or

(d)an immediate shot from a free throw awarded outside 5 metres.

ORDINARY FOULS

WP 20.1 It shall be an ordinary foul to commit any of the following offences (WP 20.2 to WP 20.18), which shall be punished by the award of a free throw to the opposing team.

To advance beyond the goal line at the start of a period, before the referee has given the signal to start. The free throw shall be taken from the location of the ball or, if the ball has not been released into the field of play, from the half distance line.

To assist a player at the start of a period or at any other time during the game.

To hold on to or push off from the goal posts or their fixtures, to hold on to or push off from the sides or ends of the pool during actual play or to hold on to the rails except at the start of a period.