14B.8.6 Moving The Goal

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Comments about this discussion:

Started 20 May 09:20

While it's not allowed to move the goal, to my knowledge, it's not stated anywhere what happens when the goal is moved unintentionally. 

In order to keep the ball rolling, the goalkeeper should be allowed to reposition the goal if they notice it has been moved. However, if the goalkeeper is unable or too occupied to do so, play should not simply continue indefinitely.

Therefore we need to discuss, when it's the right time to stop the play to readjust the goal. 

3 scenarios: 

1. The attacking player moves the goal
2. The defending player moves the goal
3. It's not clear who moved the goal or who is responsible

For 1. advantage for the defending team might be given which then would give the goalkeeper time to adjust the goal and no whistle needed. If the advantage is short-lived i suggest stopping, readjusting and giving a goalkeeper's ball.

For 2. an advantage might be given, a goal might be scored in the position where the goal used to be (as i proposed here: https://iuf-rulebook-2025.committees.unicycling-software.com/discussions/132 ), if there's no advantage it's unclear to me whether we wait and hope that the goalkeeper fixes the goal or stop the game rather sooner than later.

For 3. I don't know what the best continuation would be. When is the best time to stop the game if the goalkeeper does not fix the goal themselves? And then a face-off where the ball is in the moment of stopping the game i suppose?

 

What do you think?

Comment 22 Jun 22:49

The goalkeeper should never be expected to replace the goals. We do it in lower competitions because we often don't have referees. The whistle should always be blown to stop the game, after advantage has been played if necessary.

I think the below rules agree with what you have said and provide clarity on how to rule it.

14B.8 Fouls

14B.8.6 Moving The Goal
The players are not allowed to move the goal.

 

14B.9 Penalties
In every instance of a violation of the rules the referee must penalize the offending team
or play the advantage. When playing the advantage the referee does not blow the whistle
but should display the hand sign for a free shot and shout Advantage! In the event that
an advantage was not gained, the referee should enforce the appropriate penalty from the
initial point of infringement or, when the penalty has occurred within the goal area, the
closest corner mark or 1 m in front of goal line.

14B.9.1 Free Shot
The free shot is the standard penalty for all violations of the rules. It is applied in all
cases except for those explicitly mentioned in sections 14B.9.2-14B.9.4. The free shot is
executed from the point where the violation was done. Exceptions: If a team receives a
free shot within the opponents' goal area, the free shot is executed at the closest corner
mark (corner shot). If a team receives a free shot within their own goal area, the free
shot is taken at a distance of 1 m in front of the goal line (goalkeeper's ball).

 

14B.9.4 Face-off
To resume the game without penalizing one of the teams, a face-off can be used. For
the face-off, the referee drops the ball between two opposing players. The ball should
be dropped from below hip height of players in the vicinity. One player from each team
may take part in the face-off with all other players' unicycles and sticks at a distance of
at least 2 m from the ball. Play starts when the ball touches the ground as signalled by
the referees whistle. A face-off during the game is executed where the ball was when the
game was interrupted. Exception: Within the goal area, the face-off is executed at the
closest corner mark.

 

I think these paragraphs provide good rulings for these situations.

Moving the goal is a foul and a free shot should be given for all fouls after playing advantage. If no advantage is received then a free shot is given. If you need to resume the game without penalising a team then a face off should be used.

 

Comment 23 Jun 20:45

The whistle should always be blown to stop the game, after advantage has been played if necessary.

I take this comment back. Finn is correct that a rule says "to keep the game going, rule violations that do not influence the course of the game should not be penalized."

I think this should be the response from a referee if you take into account the wordings from

14B.9.4 Face-off
14B.9.1 Free Shot
14B.9 Penalties
14B.8.6 Moving The Goal
14B.8.1 General Considerations - keep the game moving rule

 

 

1. The attacking player moves the goal

If it affects the course of play or the goal is not replaced - penalize attacking team after playing advantage.

1. The defending player moves the goal

If it affects the course of play or the goal is not replaced - penalize defending team after playing advantage.

1. It's not clear who moved the goal or who is responsible

If the goal is not replaced - blow the whistle for a faceoff

 

Comment 29 Jun 12:07

As a referee, I hate situations where the goal is moved, there is almost no good option.

Let's assume there is a situation where a defending player moves the goal (unintentionally) and (with the current rules), you play the advantage. Now, the attacking team shoots towards the goal and the ball would have gone into the goal if the goal would have been at the right position. What should the referee decide? Goal? 6.5m?

Or the opposite scenario: The ball goes into the goal even as the goal is moved but would not have if the goal was still at the right place. Now what? Goal? No goal and goalies ball? Face-off?

I looked up the rules in floorball, which may be closest in terms of situations as we have. They have the rules below. However, I'm not sure this helps us...

Comment 30 Jun 04:16

I am as emotional about it as Nicolai :D In your first scenario i would say it's a goal, especially with your wording suggestion in the other discussion about when a goal is considered scored. 

In the other scenario i think we need another clear wording somewhere. For me it's clear that it's no goal. I would suggest: When the defending team moved the goal: corner shot. When the attacking team moved the goal: goalies ball. When it's unclear: face-off at the corner.

And to @stephen: I think we should allow the goalie to reposition the goal but not make them to do it. In order to keep the ball rolling the goalie should be allowed to reposition the goal if they feel they have the time and space to do so. If the advantage has been played and the ref notices that the goalie does not reposition the goal, it shall be whistled of, i suggest.

 

Comment 30 Jun 08:14

Or the opposite scenario: The ball goes into the goal even as the goal is moved but would not have if the goal was still at the right place. Now what? Goal? No goal and goalies ball? Face-off?

In this instance shouldn't advantage be played? The defending team committed a foul and moved the goal in front of the ball. 

For 14B.5.3 Riding The Unicycle  and 14A.2 we rule that a player who is technically not allowed to take part in the game can still shoot it into their own goal and it is a legal goal. If a defending team illegally moves the goal in front of the ball surely it therefore also counts as a goal? Long shots seem somewhat similar.

 

14A.2 Rider Summary
This section is intended as an overview of the rules, but does not substitute for the actual
rules.
• A player may only take part in a game when riding the unicycle. After falling off
he or she has to mount at the same spot, but if necessary move out of the way of
play first.

14B.5.3 Riding The Unicycle
... If a player who is not riding a unicycle shoots into their own goal, the advantage
rule applies for the attacking team and the goal is valid.

14B.7.2 Long Shot
A goal is disallowed if the last contact with the ball was made when the ball was in one's
own half. The defending team gets a free shot (goalkeeper's ball). This rule does not
apply if the ball is shot from the opponents' half into one's own goal.

Potentially the wording for 14B.7.1 Conditions for Awarding a Goal should account for a team displacing their own goals and the ball goes into their displaced goals.

A goal is considered scored when the entire ball crosses the front edge of the goal line from the front, provided it entered from the front of the goals and was played legally with no offence committed by the attacking team immediately before or during the goal.

If the goal is displaced, a goal may still be awarded if the displacement was caused by the defending team or occurred unintentionally, and the ball crosses the imaginary continuation of the goal line between the original positions of the goalposts and beneath the imaginary crossbar.

And to @stephen: I think we should allow the goalie to reposition the goal but not make them to do it. In order to keep the ball rolling the goalie should be allowed to reposition the goal if they feel they have the time and space to do so. If the advantage has been played and the ref notices that the goalie does not reposition the goal, it shall be whistled of, i suggest.

I agree. The goalie can replace the goal but isnt required.

1. The attacking player moves the goal

If it affects the course of play or the goal is not replaced - penalize attacking team after playing advantage.

1. The defending player moves the goal

If it affects the course of play or the goal is not replaced - penalize defending team after playing advantage.

1. It's not clear who moved the goal or who is responsible

If the goal is not replaced - blow the whistle for a faceoff

 

Comment 30 Jun 14:35

Thanks Steven for these thoughts, this sounds like a good solution to me :-)

To make sure, I understand your argument: When the defending team has moved the goal and a shot would have clearly gone into the goal when it still would have been at the right spot -> goal. When the ball goes in at a location where it would not have gone in otherwise -> still goal as advantage and defending team's own fault.

Now, I'm only somewhat unsure about the unintentional displacement. I'm not sure whether in such cases play should continue normally. Either it still was the defending team (which will be covered by above) or then the attacking team gaining an advantage, so this shouldn't be allowed.

Comment 02 Jul 19:34

To make sure, I understand your argument: When the defending team has moved the goal and a shot would have clearly gone into the goal when it still would have been at the right spot -> goal. When the ball goes in at a location where it would not have gone in otherwise -> still goal as advantage and defending team's own fault.

Yes, if the defending team moves their goal and the ball goes into their goal in the new location

1. They have fouled the opposing team by moving the goal
2. Advantage being played results in the ball going into the goal
3. The goal is awarded.

If a defending team moves the goal it essentially makes their "goals" larger because the ball could travel into the new goal location and also the immaginary line of the old goal. Teams who move the goal FURTHER from its position would have a greater disadvantage, teams who move it only slightly will not have much more disadvantage.

This stops any team "accidentally" 😉 moving the goal when they are under attack.

Now, I'm only somewhat unsure about the unintentional displacement. I'm not sure whether in such cases play should continue normally. Either it still was the defending team (which will be covered by above) or then the attacking team gaining an advantage, so this shouldn't be allowed.

Unintentional and intentional moving of goal should play advantage first I think

 

Defending Team Moves Goal (Play is Near the Goal):

    Advantage first — allow play to continue if an opportunity to score exists.

    If the attacking team scores in the displaced goal (even if the ball would not have gone in if the goal were in the original position): goal stands.

    If no advantage occurs (ball ends behind goal line or something) or play is disrupted (e.g., ball out of bounds): whistle is blown, goals replaced, corner shot given.

    This discourages any "accidental" repositioning and prevents teams from benefiting from moving the goal.

 

Attacking Team Moves Goal (Play is Near the Goal):

    Again, play advantage to defending team if possible.

    If advantage doesn't occur: stop play, reset goals, goalkeeper’s ball

 

 

When Play is NOT Near the Goal:

We need to look at the rule "to keep the game going, rule violations that do not influence the course of the game should not be penalized."

Defending Team Moves Goal (Far from Goal):

    Do not stop play immediately (per “keep the game going” principle).

    See if:

        The defending team or referee resets the goal.

        The play transitions back toward the goal.

    If play returns to the displaced goal before it’s reset, give advantage to the attacking team if they have possession or call the penalty against defending team, stop play, reset the goal, and award corner shot.

Attacking Team Moves Goal (Far from Goal):

    Do not stop play immediately (per “keep the game going” principle).

    See if:

        The attacking team (or defending goalie) or referee resets the goal.

        The play transitions back toward the goal.

    If play returns toward the displaced goal and it’s not fixed:

        Blow whistle, reset the goal, goalkeeper’s ball


I think 95% of the time when the goal is displaced when play is not in that area whoever displaced it/the goalie replaces the goal. So it rarely would occur that the goal was displaced and not replaced in these situations. If the goalie/player do not replace the goal often one referee can do it. If the referee can't replace it, cant signal to the keeper to replace it and there are no stoppages of play before the ball makes it back into the area I think the referee could then penalize whoever is responsible. I think it would be very rare occurrence that you would get to the point that you would need to be penalising the team responsible 3 minutes after the goal was displaced.

If the goal is displaced when play IS in the area, it usually doesn't get replaced, however you would play advantage to whichever team and then penalise appropriately and replace goals if the play was in the area.

Comment 04 Jul 19:37

Old

14B.8.6 Moving The Goal
The players are not allowed to move the goal.

 

New
14B.8.6 Moving The Goal

Players must not move the goal. If the goal is moved, the offending team is responsible for returning it to its correct position.

If the offending team is in possession of the ball, play shall be interrupted and a corner or goalie‘s ball shall be given. If the non-offending team is in posession of the ball, play shall continue with advantage as long as the goal is out of position (as the infringement is still ongoing)

If ball possession changes to the offending team while the goal is still displaced, the referee should stop play. The goal must be returned to its proper position, and play is resumed with a face-off at the point of possession change.

If the non-offending team is playing advantage and the goal is returned to its correct position before possession changes, play continues without interruption. In this case, no whistle interruption is required, as the foul has been resolved and advantage has been played.

In situations where it’s unclear which team has moved the goal, play shall be interrupted. The goal must be returned to its proper position, and play is resumed with a face-off from the closest corner mark.

Comment 08 Jul 17:53

Can anyone see instances where this would not work?

Comment 11 Jul 21:39

I will make a proposal if there are no objections

 

Comment 12 Jul 06:38

A shot sentence should be enlarged to 10-12 lines?

I don`t care who was resposible if this moving happens to a great extent unintentionally.
I like "the  makes their "goals" larger because the ball could travel into the new goal location and also the immaginary line of the old goal." In this case the defending team would have a high interest to move the goal in the correct position as soon as possible, meanwhile the defending team has a disadvantage (The rule "defending team prevents a goal from being scored through an illegal play" should be blocked). There would be a need to stop an attacking team to enlarge opposite goal or preventing the defending team to move the goal in correct position. (A case of unsporting behavior, probably to add in list of 2min).

In case of an indicated moving the goal intentionally the rule at 14B.9 Penalties (playing the advantage an the possible punishments) should be used.

Currently this is an idea only the wording to shrink down to 5-6 lines has to be found.

Comment 12 Jul 07:03

I don't fully understand all of your points sorry Herbie. I think I understand

1. Why are we making a short rule longer
2. It shouldn't matter who moves the goal if unintentional(?)
3. You agree with making the goal larger if the defending team moves it as this encourages them to move it back and they receive a disadvantage for moving it
4. You say that if we put this rule in then we should not have the "defending team prevents a goal from being scored through an illegal play" which I think is in reference to the 6.5 m rule we were discussing(?)
5. You say that we need to stop the attacking team from enlarging the attacking goal, or stopping the defending team from putting it back


I will put time into answering if I confirm what you are saying.

Comment 12 Jul 08:43

Hey Steven thanks for your rule suggestion.

Indeed it got a bit lengthy and rather sounds like a guideline for the referee than a game rule.

Maybe a shorter version is sufficient:

When the goal is moved and the non-offending team is in ball possession, game can continue as advantage until the offending team gets in ball possession. If the goal has been replaced meanwhile game can continue. Otherwise the game is stopped, the goal replaced, the non-offending team gets a free shot or if unclear a face-off is executed.

 

Comment 12 Jul 13:01

I liker your suggestion steven. Please make a proposal.

I think the long version well be clearer and ther is less space for interpretation . 

Comment 13 Jul 00:10

Is this any better?

14B.8.6 Moving The Goal
Players must not move the goal. If the goal is displaced, the offending team must return it to its correct position.

If the non-offending team has possession, play continues under advantage. If the goal is restored before possession changes, play continues without interruption. However, if possession changes before the goal is restored, play is stopped and resumed with a face-off at the point of possession change.

If the offending team has possession when the goal is moved, play is stopped and the non-offending team is awarded a free shot (corner or goalkeeper’s ball).

If it is unclear which team moved the goal, play is stopped and resumed with a face-off at the nearest corner mark.

Comment 16 Jul 16:27

Thanks Steven for the different wordings.

I would go for a mixture of the two suggestions. In the first one, e.g. the sentence about the explanation could be removed. But I think some sentences are clearer in the first one and may be somewhat too short with the second suggestion.