WOMEN’S JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Comments from the perspective of the Rules and Referee Commission
- Part 2 -
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One of the new Rules changes that has been implemented successfully is :

If there is a free-throw that remains to be taken after the whistle for half-time or end of game, the new rules emphasize immediate execution. The thrower must come forward to the right spot and the teammates move away without delay. This quick action will be the best guarantee that the players do not have time to get the idea of making substitutions that are no longer allowed. (Only one attacker can be substituted, basically to allow another thrower to come from the bench). Of course, we must be realistic: if it is clear that goalkeeper is genuinely injured and unable to stay in goal, then the referees take the initiative and make sure that he is replaced.

In addition to their decision-making, the referees must work on improving their positioning and movements on the court:

It has tended to be a matter of prestige, when there is a counterattack, for the referee to run as fast as possible to be the first one down at the other end. This is wrong! There are two risks: one is that the referee loses contact with the players in the counterattack and the other one is that the referee may not focus on getting out to the side line out of the paths of the players. The main priority is to maintain contact and to help the partner in covering the whole action. If this means having to stop and to let players run by, this is fine as long as the overview is maintained and the referee does not interfere.

The result of the matches during the first two days show that many of the teams from outside Europe are having a difficult time. They have improved from previous years and they may play exciting handball for part of the game but in the ednd the European team usually comes out as a winner. The coaches comment about the handicap of the limited experience from international competition.

Of course, the non-European referees have a similar disadvantage. They have talent but it is not realistic for them to come with the same solid preparations as their European colleagues . The IHF will introduce a new “Global Training Program” to deal with this issue. The focus will be on finding young talents in all continents and to give them the instruction, testing and match experience that will make them ready for IHF events. The training will go beyond rules interpretation and tactical understanding. It will also emphasize mental, psychological and physical preparation.