After being called for three major fouls, a player is disqualified and must be replaced in the pool. A goalie drawing a major foul has to serve his own penalty. A penalty shot is awarded when either an act of brutality or a foul that prevents a probable goal occurs within the four-meter zone. About 85 percent of penalty shots score. On the international level, the referee's judgment is of enormous importance.
Referees indicate fouls by blowing their whistles.
For both the men and the women, there is a floating goal anchored at each end. All players must wear caps with ear protectors and fastened under the chin. One team wears white, the other blue. The rest are substitutes. A team can substitute after a goal between quarters, or when one of its players is ejected.