Durbanville Hockey Club

Implementation of 2009 "New" Free Hit Rule

Foreword : these are a simplified version of the Directions given to AHL (Australian Hockey League) umpires for the current AHL season and are already being implemented.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW RULES FOR 2009:

• To speed-up the game.
• To reduce the possibility of danger at “dead-ball” situations in the attacking 23m area of the field.

NOTE – The free-hit, centre-pass, sideline hit-ins and “long corners” are now grouped together & are interpreted in the same manner.
NOTE – The ball must still travel 1m. if passed directly to a team mate from a FH.

1. THE SELF-PLAY FH

The team taking the FH:

• A player must make 2 clear motions – a stop with a push/hit to follow immediately.
• A FH is not taken if a player just dribbles off with the ball.
• The player must stop the ball before taking the FH – this indicates that the FH is to be taken (the same degree of leniency in applying this will be as per the “old” rule in open play).
• The ball does not have to travel a metre before the 2nd motion.
• It is possible for a player to “self-pass” & throw an “overhead” as the 2nd motion but safety of players is paramount & DANGER must be penalised if this is used inappropriately.

NOTE – Players from the same team do not have to be 5m from the FH except in the attacking 23m area.
NOTE – The team with the FH does not have to wait for opposition players to move 5m from where the FH is to be taken.

2. OPPOSITION PLAYERS

Opposition players MUST move 5m from where the FH is to be taken. Umpires MUST take action against players deliberately preventing a quick FH – this is gamesmanship. A warning (verbal or “green”) may be appropriate but those actions which are clearly designed to slow the game are intentional & repeated offences merit temporary suspensions.

UMPIRES MUST BE PRO-ACTIVE IN MOVING PLAYERS 5M FROM FHs (VERBAL & WHISTLING).

OPPOSITION PLAYERS IN “THE 5” CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE PLAY UNTIL THEY HAVE RETREATED AT LEAST 5M FROM THE SITE OF THE FH.

PLAYING AT THE BALL IN ANY WAY,”GETTING IN THE WAY” OR RUNNING NEXT TO THE BALL CARRIER WHO HAS TAKEN THE FH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE & SHOULD BE UMPIRED CONSISTENTLY IN LINE WITH OTHER EXAMPLES OF “GAMESMANSHIP”.

3. LOCATION OF A FH

• In open-play allow the FH to be taken in the general proximity of the offence - as per the “old” rule.
• Inside the attacking 23 – the FH must be taken close to the site of the offence.
• Inside the dotted circle – THE BALL MUST BE TAKEN BACK TO THE NEAREST POINT 5m FROM THE CIRCLE.
• Defensive FHs & 15s are as per “old” rule.

4. FH’s TAKEN INSIDE THE ATTACKING 23 AREA

This has ambiguous wording in the FIH rule but is very simple & MUST be applied as directed:

• All players other than the player taking the FH must be 5m from the ball when the FH, LC or sideline hit is taken.
• BEFORE the ball can enter the circle it MUST be touched by another player OR
• For a player taking a “self-play FH”: the ball must be dribbled at least 5m before it is played into the circle. A player can “self-pass” & then dribble directly into the circle, or pass the ball once the ball has moved 5m from the site of the FH.
  NOTE – Hard hits or pushes to a team-mate, who is 5m away from the FH when it is taken AND outside the circle, with the intent of deflecting into the circle are permissible – WITH THE PROVISO THAT “DANGER” BE PENALISED IF APPLICABLE.
• Umpires must be pro-active with regard to FH location – if the ball is in the wrong spot communicate this to the players before they have the chance to take the – avoid “replays”.

AT ALL TIMES UMPIRES, COACHES & PLAYERS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF THE RULES:

TO SPEED-UP THE GAME & REDUCE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR DANGER

Jan Hadfield
Hockey Queensland Director
FIH Umpires Manager
AHL umpires Manager

Rules of Hockey 2009: free hit

The text of the free hit rules which will apply in international hockey from 1 May 2009 is provided below.

One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board (HRB) is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play. A “self-pass” from a free hit has therefore been introduced. It enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit which will encourage free-flowing hockey.

As with other actions on the hockey pitch, this must take place safely. Other aspects of the free hit rules have therefore been reviewed. The HRB is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area. In future, these free hits must not be played directly into the circle.

FIH believes these are indications of the way it wishes to see hockey develop. Exciting innovations will take place but there will also always be a concern that the game should be as safe as reasonably possible.

These Rules changes above are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent Rules. When the full set of the Rules of Hockey is published, small changes to some wording and various additional notes will also added to clarify certain current rules. It is anticipated that the full set of Rules will be published in the next month or so.

The text of the relevant free hit Rules will be as follows:

13.1 Location of a free hit:

a) a free hit is taken close to where the offence occurred
‘Close to’ means within playing distance of where the offence occurred and with no significant advantage gained.
The location from which a free hit is taken must be more precise inside the 23 metres area.

b) a free hit awarded within 5 metres of the circle to the attack is taken at the nearest point 5 metres from the circle

c) a free hit awarded outside the circle to the defence within 15 metres of the back-line is taken up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line

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.

13.2 Procedures for taking a free hit, centre pass and putting the ball back into play after it has been outside the field:

a) the ball must be stationary

b) opponents must be at least 5 metres from the ball
If an opponent is within 5 metres of the ball, they must not interfere with the taking of the free hit or must not play or attempt to play the ball. If this player is not playing the ball, attempting to play the ball or influencing play, the free hit need not be delayed.

c) when a free hit is awarded to the attack within the 23 metres area, all players other than the player taking the free hit must be at least 5 metres from the ball

d) the ball is moved using a push or hit

e) the ball must not be raised intentionally directly from the free hit

f) if the player taking the free hit is the next player to play the ball, the actions of taking the free hit and of next playing the ball must be two separate actions

g) before another player of the team which took the free hit is allowed to play the ball, the ball must move at least 1 metre.
The ball does not have to move 1 metre before the player taking the free hit may play the ball again.

h) from a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23 metres area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres or has been touched by a player of either team other than the player taking the free hit.

Hockey Rules Board
February 2009

Conduct of Play: Players

As a result of uncertainty about rule 9.11, the following information was issued on behalf of the Hockey Rules Board on 7 February 2007.

Rule 9.11 of the Rules of Hockey 2007/8 states:
"Field players must not stop, kick, propel, pick up, throw or carry the ball with any part of their body.

It is not always an offence if the ball hits the foot, hand or body of a field player. The player only commits an offence if they voluntarily use their hand, foot or body to play the ball or if they position themselves with the intention of stopping the ball in this way.

It is not an offence if the ball hits the hand holding the stick but would otherwise have hit the stick."

Compared to the 2005/6 Rules, the note in italics has been changed in an endeavour to reinforce the intended interpretation of this rule. The following advice has been produced to clarify this interpretation so that the rule is applied consistently.

The 2005/6 Rules indicated that it was not an offence if the ball hits the foot, hand or body of a field player "unless that player or their team benefits from this". However, as with other rules, this continues to be an offence if benefit is gained. Rule 9.11 should therefore continue to be applied taking into account any benefit gained by the player or their team.

National Associations are asked to communicate this note to their members. It is also being published on the FIH website for wider communication.

Roger Webb
FIH Technical Manager

The stick rake or bow

This rule applies to all international matches with effect from 1 January 2006. The date of implementation at national level is at the discretion of National Associations.

(Rule 2.3 k) any curvature along the length of the stick (the rake or bow) must have a continuous smooth profile along the whole length, must occur along the face side or the back of the stick but not both and is limited to a depth of 25 mm.

The rake or bow is tested using a pointed wedge the point of which is 25 mm from the flat base. The stick is laid on a flat surface. The wedge must not pass completely under the stick at any place along its length.

Use of the 'forehand edge'

At its meeting on 3/5 March 2006, the Executive Board agreed a proposal from the Hockey Rules Board (HRB) to introduce with immediate effect a rule change specifically forbidding use of the forehand edge of the stick to hit the ball hard..

• Players must not hit the ball hard on the forehand with the edge of the stick.
• The forehand is defined as playing a ball which is to the right of the player in a forwards direction.
• This does not prohibit use of the edge of the stick on the forehand in a controlled action in a tackle, when raising the ball in a controlled way over an opponent’s stick or over a goalkeeper who is lying on the ground or when using a long pushing motion along the ground.
• The use of the edge of the stick on the backhand has developed as a technical skill and is permitted subject to danger. This issue was discussed in depth at the December 2005 meeting of the HRB.

The HRB recognised that this is a relatively new technique where the ball is played with the edge of the stick in a similar way to the ‘backhand'. On the forehand, this action is considered to be particularly dangerous. This is because the ball must be hit very precisely at the correct spot, otherwise it is likely that the ball will be raised at high speed and in an uncontrolled manner. Also, the direction of the ball from these hits is not predictable by opponents and in most cases not even by the player hitting the ball. This action can be executed accidentally or can be disguised as a different action so opponents have little or no chance to react if the ball is raised.

As noted in the rule above, this applies only to a hard hit of this type. It is not considered dangerous to use the forehand edge of the stick in the other ways described.

2005

The two Mandatory Experimental Rules introduced in 2003 have been confirmed as formal rules. They are:

• Permitting a defender to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height (9,6)
• Requiring the ball to travel outside the circle before a shot at goal at a penalty corner but not requiring it to be stopped (13,3.j)

2004 Penalty Corner Rule

The FIH is concerned that there is a tendency for some defenders to run directly at a shot at goal with the clear intention of allowing themselves to be hit by the ball and so blocking the shot or being awarded a free hit under the current rules and interpretations.

The umpires will be instructed to penalise a defender who runs at a legitimate shot at goal at a penalty corner with the clear intention of blocking the shot with their body.

Another penalty corner will be awarded if a defender acts in the way described and the player will be cautioned so it is clear to everyone this action is not acceptable; if the practice is persistent, consideration will be given to awarding a penalty stroke and/or suspending the player(s) concerned.

2004 Rule Changes

For a full understanding, there is no substitute for reading the Rules in full. However, the following summary of the more significant changes may be of assistance:

Players, Equipment and Substitutions:

• Field players are now permitted to wear gloves for protection provided that these do not significantly increase the size of the hands.
• For substitution purposes, field players and substitutes must leave or enter the field “within 3 metres of” (previously “at”) the centre-line; goalkeepers may leave or enter near the goal that they are defending. Time is now stopped for the substitution of goalkeepers (only).
• Field players who leave the field for injury treatment, refreshment, to change equipment or for any other reason other than substitution are permitted to re-enter only between the 23 metre areas.
• Players must not change their stick between the award and completion of a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
• A personal penalty is awarded if a captain doesn’t exercise his responsibilities in relation to the behaviour of players and ensuring that substitutions are carried out correctly

Starting / Stopping the Match and Ball Outside The Field of Play:

• The half-time interval shall be 5 minutes, unless otherwise agreed (previously 5 to 10 minutes, as agreed)
• Time is now stopped for the substitution of goalkeepers.
• Hit-outs (previously known as 16 yard / 14.63 metre hits) may now be taken up to 15 metres from and in line with where it crossed the back-line (i.e. outside the circle is now permitted). Free hits within 15 metres of the back-line may also be advanced up to that distance.
• The procedures for taking a free hit are now identical to those for a centre-pass and putting the ball back into play (but no significant change).
• Bullies now only require sticks to touch once (previously three times) above the ball before the players may play the ball.
• Bullies are to be taken “close to where the ball was before play was stopped” (but not closer than 15 metres from the back-line). Previously it was as determined by the umpire.

Conduct of Play:

• Players must not use their sticks in a dangerous way and must not play the ball dangerously or in a way that leads to dangerous play (these are not changes but expressed more clearly)
• Players must not tackle unless in a position to play the ball without body contact (this is a new rule but replaces various other rules or interpretations). Tackling from the reverse side, from behind the player with the ball or by diving or sliding are no longer specifically identified but would still constitute offences unless body contact is avoided. Dangerous use of the stick and interference with an opponent’s stick must still also be considered.
• The former rules that specified that a ball must not be raised intentionally so that it lands directly in the circle and the prohibition against raising the ball at another player have both been deleted. The only circumstances where a lifted ball is automatically an offence is an intentionally raised hit (other than if it is a shot at goal); this includes a free hit, centre-passes, 15 metre hits-out and sideline hits. All other circumstances should be judged solely on whether or not it is dangerous.
• Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a raised ball until it has been received, controlled and is on the ground; this is not a new rule but has been slightly amended to give receivers of a raised ball better protection. The initial receiver has a right to the ball but, if it is not clear which player is the initial receiver, the player of the team which raised the ball must allow the opponent to receive it.
• The "feet" rule (which also applies to use of any part of the body) has been amended. The only consideration is now whether a player who is struck by the ball gains benefit from it.
• Use of the back of the stick is now an offence regardless of intention, but should only be penalised if an opponent is disadvantaged.
• The "obstruction" rule has been simplified by referring in the rule itself only to the fundamental principle that “players must not obstruct an opponent who is attempting to play the ball”. Players shielding the ball from a legitimate tackle and backing into an opponent have now been clarified as specific examples of obstruction, whilst PIT (Position, Intention and Timing), are no longer specified as requirements (but will still be relevant in most circumstances).
• The “advantage” rule is specified more simply and clearly. A penalty is to be awarded only when a player or team has been disadvantaged by an opponent breaking the rules. If awarding a penalty is not an advantage to the team that did not break the Rules, play must continue.
• A penalty corner is awarded if the ball becomes lodged in any defender’s clothing or equipment (previously only specified for goalkeepers).
• Note: the procedures for penalty corners suggest that the injector may not score a goal if the ball is played back from outside the circle unless it has first been played by another attacker within the circle; it is likely that this is an error but, until such time as this is officially clarified, some umpires may disallow such ‘goals’.

Penalty Strokes:

• The player taking a penalty stroke must start by standing behind and “within playing distance of” (previously “close to”) the ball and must not approach either the ball or the goalkeeper after taking the stroke but the former complex limitation of taking only one step forward has been deleted.
• Umpires must blow the whistle to start a penalty stroke when both players are in position (rather than requiring the umpire to confirm that both are ready).
• If a goalkeeper prevents a goal being scored but leaves the goal-line or moves either foot before the ball has been played, a penalty stroke shall be re-taken. For the first offence of this type, the goalkeeper must be warned (green card) and for any subsequent offence the goalkeeper must be suspended (yellow card).

Misconduct:

• The intended duration of a temporary suspension may be extended for misconduct by a player while suspended.
• Umpires are advised that: (a) it is not acceptable for players to abuse opponents, umpires or other technical officials verbally or through body language and attitude and (b) when a player intentionally misbehaves in a serious manner towards another player, the red card must be shown immediately.

New Umpiring signals:

• “Dangerous play”: place one forearm diagonally across the chest.
• “Stick obstruction”: hold one arm out and downwards in front of the body half-way between vertical and horizontal; touch the forearm with the other hand.