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Date: December 16, 2024
Category: Goalball
New 2025 IBSA Goalball Rules
After an extensive process, the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) has finalized the rules for the 2025 season. One of the most significant changes is that the rulebook will now require annual re-approval instead of being valid for four years as before. However, the IBSA Goalball Sports Committee remains committed to making major rule changes only every four years. The changes are build on the proposals of the community.
The implementation of the new rulebook brings several updates, detailed below:
Extended Halftime and Overtime Adjustments
The halftime break will be extended from 3 to 5 minutes in response to widespread feedback that the current break is too short. This five-minute pause will also apply before the start of overtime and during penalty shootouts. Regarding overtime, the two 3-minute halves will now be replaced with a single 6-minute period, continuing with the golden goal format, and without a halftime break.
Changes to Team Jerseys
New rules for jerseys include standardized sizes for sponsor logos and adjustments to the size of player numbers on the front of jerseys. Additionally, the range of allowable jersey numbers will be expanded. This initiative aims to provide teams with greater financial independence by enabling more sponsorship opportunities, as jerseys are a central advertising space in goalball. Mistakes in jersey compliance will no longer result in a penalty but will instead incur a minor monetary fine.
New World Championship Format
A new competition structure will be introduced for the World Championships, featuring 4 groups of 4 teams. The top teams will progress to the quarterfinals to compete for medals. This format ensures that teams play only one game per day and allows for all placement matches to be conducted, totaling 48 games per gender. This reduction in the total number of games shortens the event duration, offering hosts new opportunities for event marketing. The revised structure is designed to balance the needs of athletes, officials, and organizers, while reducing athlete fatigue. A new draw procedure will also be introduced in connection with this format.
Rule 41: Updates for Officials
Rule 41 consolidates several important guidelines for officials that were previously part of supplementary documents, such as the Official Referee Program. For instance, referees may no longer officiate matches involving their home country or any knockout-stage games that could determine their nation’s next opponent. Referees are also required to enhance communication with teams and spectators. During “Official Time Outs – Clarification,” referees must explain the question raised, the decision made, and its reasoning.
Video Evidence and Simplified Penalties
Official tournament livestream footage can now be used in protest procedures. Additionally, several penalties unrelated to gameplay—such as penalties for coaches holding up incorrect substitution numbers—have been removed.
Mandatory Eyeshades with Nasal Covers
To ensure fair competition, all official IBSA events will require players to wear eyeshades with a “beak,” or nasal cover. The IBSA Goalball Sports Committee also reserves the right to impose suspensions on individuals found guilty of deliberately tampering with eyeshades or patches.
Adjustment to the Noise Rule
The noise rule has also been slightly modified. Previously, the attacking team was required to remain silent as soon as the referee recognized a “backswing” from the thrower. To simplify the application of this rule for referees, the attacking team must now remain silent once a clear movement toward the opponent’s goal by the thrower is observed.
Questions regarding the new rulebook can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].
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