What must happen if a team member does not arrive on time for the game?

If a team member does not arrive on time for the game, the correct procedure is that the team must wait for a stipulated period, often set at 30 minutes, for their arrival. This waiting period allows for the possibility that the missing player may still arrive and participate in the game. The rules in many governing bodies of the sport are designed to promote fairness and ensure that teams have the best chance to compete with all their members present.

In cases where the absent player does not arrive within the designated time frame, the team would usually proceed according to the sport's regulations, which can include considerations for substitutions or potential penalties if the absence causes disruption. The other answers do not fully reflect the standard protocols in competitive play, as they either overlook the possibility of waiting for the player or immediately impose harsh consequences like forfeiture, which tends to be reserved for more severe infractions or tardiness that exceeds allowable time limits.