Welcome to the National Umpires Seminar

Sunday 28th August 2011 1pm – 4pm

Forthbank Stadium, Stirling

This presentation will focus

Rule review, changes and interpretations

http://www.fih.ch/files/Sport/Rules/

Card and team management

The FIH Dartfish Video Library

Rule review- summary

Rule review- summaryThe Mandatory Experimental Rules introduced in 2009 have been a major focus for review.

The Rule which is commonly referred to as permitting a “self-pass” from a free hit has encouraged more free flowing play.

The Rule which does not permit attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area to be played directly into the circle avoids the ball being played hard, indiscriminately and potentially dangerously into the circle.

The Hockey Rules Board therefore considers both Rules to be successful. Accordingly, Rules 13.1 and13.2 now become full Rules of Hockey.  

Rule changes - summary

Changes to the Rules of Hockey (for international competition with effect from 1 January 2011. These changes are effective from the start of our domestic season and are as follows: Rule 9.15:“players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally”.  This Rule is deleted because any action of this sort can be dealt with under other Rules. 

Rule changes - summary

 Rule 13.1:The part of Rule 13.1 which refers to a free hit awarded inside the circle to the defence has been simplified by deleting the option of taking the hit “anywhere inside the circle”.  Rule 13.1.d:“a free hit awarded inside the circle to the defence is taken anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line”.  The option of taking the free hit “anywhere inside the circle” is deleted.  

 

Rule changes - summary

A new Rule (13.7 in this edition) has been introduced to bringtogether the penalties which apply for an offence during the taking of a penalty corner. The penalties which apply for an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke (Rule 13.10) have been made fairer and clearer.

A few other Rules have been clarified. To draw attention to changes, a line appears in the margin of any text which has been changed even if it is only a very minor change. 

 

Applying the rules

The Hockey Rules Board is aware that how the Rules are applied is key to a fair game. In this context, there are two Rules which are sometimes applied inconsistently.

Rule 7.4.c says that if the ball is intentionally played over the backline by a defender and no goal is scored, play is re-started with a penalty corner. If it is clear that the action is intentional, umpires should not hesitate to award a penalty corner.

Rule 9.7 specifies that “players must not play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height etc”. For consistency and fairness, shoulder height should be strictly enforced. 

 

Points of clarification

Players must not play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height except that defenders are permitted to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height.

 

 

If a defender attempts to stop or deflect a ball with the stick above shoulder height, which is going to miss the goal, then a penalty corner and not a penalty stroke should be awarded.

 

 

If dangerous play occurs after a legitimate stop or deflection the a penalty corner should be awarded.

 

 

Card Management

Card Management

The main points

There are two types of offences; technical and physical.

Too often players receive a ‘green’ card which can have little or no effect. These are sometimes issued for offences such as breaking play or continued ‘back-chat’.

Green Cards

According to the rules of hockey, a green card is given to a player as a caution regarding their behaviour and conduct. However there have been many occasions when players are receiving a green card and it has no real impact on the game.

It is perfectly acceptable to stop the game and warn a player without issuing a card, but this must be seen as a warning to their team mates also, but not necessarily the opposition.

Therefore a green card will continue to carry a minimum two minute suspension. No player, accept the captain who is given a card for a team offence, may receive more than one green card.

Green Cards

Whilst the length of the suspension is normally two minutes it may not be practical to bring the player on immediately. The player should be brought on as soon as is practical and can be done by either umpire. If a PC has been awarded as their suspension has ended, the player should only be brought on after the PC is completed, again by either umpire.

We need to remember that a green card is our main communication tool regarding their general behaviour and conduct. We must not give a green card when in fact a yellow card would have been the more appropriate sanction for the offence. This is not the purpose of the green card suspension.

Green versus Yellow Cards

A green card is for repeated minor infringements and/or behavioural issues by an individual or the team as a whole.

As a yellow card is for a more serious breach and should carry a minimum 5 minute suspension for technical offences and a minimum of 10 minutes for physical offences, it is very important that we are able to separate the two.

So this guidance is simple, if you would give a green or yellow card for a particular offence last season, apply the same reasoning and rationale this season.

Guidance on card management

If a player is given a green card, which is now a minimum two minute suspension, for one of these types, then no other player of that team should be given the same card (remember the captain) for the same type of offence, it should be yellow.

There are two types of offences; technical and physical.

Points to remember:

Guidance on card management

If a player has received a yellow card and commits another yellow card offence they should be shown a red card (you may wish to communicate this by firstly showing a second yellow card followed by the red).

It is not encouraged to give a player 2 yellow cards except for exceptional circumstances.

It is possible to give a captain a second yellow card if their first yellow card was for team (not their) misbehaviour. If the second card was for the same type of offence as the first then a red card is appropriate.

Working with team management

If a manager and/or coach needs to be spoken to during the whole match then action must be taken.

We should work with managers and coaches to help produce a good quality game of hockey but there are times when we do not see eye-to-eye. However, there is no excuse for unacceptable aggressive behaviour and confrontation towards the umpires. If managers and coaches are not willing to work cooperatively, the following sanctions must be applied consistently throughout the season.

Working with team managementIf there are issues with the behaviour of the manager and or coach, and the captain has already been spoken to, the captain should be given a green card. If they have already been given a green for a similar issue then they should be given a yellow card and a replacement captain spoken with.

If the manager or coach has to be spoken to for a second time, the message is not getting through, then they should be shown a red card and sent off for the remainder of the match. That team will have to play with one less player for the rest of the match (the captain chooses the player and that player is now eligible to play as a substitute during the suspension time).

Rules interpretations -

Discussion

Rules – an interpretationIt is perfectly acceptable, that a high shot taken, is not going towards the goal, even if it is then played by another attacker into the goal. This is ok. You must ‘play on’ and only consider a foul if you feel that the shot is dangerous.

When a player is hit on the knee and below this is a foul against that player. It is only dangerous if you feel it was done deliberately or the player was high up in the air, such as jumping up during a PC. You need to remember that this rule application is meant to apply when the player is in their normal stance position.

This interpretation would also apply if a player plays the ball with the stick over shoulder height level, for instance, when they are on the ground and they are not playing it dangerously.

Rules – an interpretation

The Aerial ball. We need to be better at interpreting this.

The team playing this pass must ensure they do so safely and not into two or more players.

If the pass is going to one of their team then all opposition must remain 5 meters away until the ball is received and on the ground.

There may be times when two players are close to each other but the ball is on the ‘outside of the receiver’, such as down the line. There is an opportunity to play on here, but with caution.

Rules – an interpretationHowever !

We cannot reward poor skill.

If the player receiving the aerial pass does not stop it cleanly and for instance it deflects behind them to an opponent we should play on.

Only if the receiver was put off in any way should that be considered a 5 metre infringement.

If the defender claims that they ‘knew’ the opponent was there then invite them to take mental fitness lessons!

Rules – an interpretation

Players within 5 at a free hit.

There is no rule which states that the opponents need to move at all.

If they are within 5metres then the player with the ball needs to move away from them or around them. They are simply not allowed to run into the player. This must be discouraged and umpires should consider giving a free hit against them for doing so.

Once the ball has travelled 5 metres, any player who was within 5 metres at the time, is allowed to become active for as long as they have not been interfering or influencing play during that time.

Rules Clarification

Completion of a Penalty Corner

During an over-time PC (end of both half’s) the penalty corner is over if the ball travels outside the circle for the second time.

This rule is in addition to all other rules regarding the completion of a PC and is specific to over-time PC’s only.

All other rules regarding when a PC is over are not affected or changed.

Clarification was asked for regarding the completion of a PC at the end of half and full time.

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