Subject:2016 Indoor Clarifications
Notes:
As we have begun the 2015-16 Indoor seasons, a couple of odd situations have developed that we at USA Field Hockey would like to clarify for the best consistency and understanding as possible. The three topics, Goalkeeper Substitution, Drilling and Goalkeeper Shirts are below. Please read carefully and if you have any questions please send them .
Goalkeeper Substitution:
If a goalkeeper is suspended or injured on a play where a penalty stroke is called and the goalkeeper cannot continue to play no matter if the team has yet used their full allocation of goalkeeper substitutes in indoor the below procedure will apply.
If the team in question does not have another fully kitted GK readily available, then the substitution would need to be for a player with GK privileges or for another field player.As per 2.3g, time is not stopped to allow another player to put on full protective equipment for the PS.
If the replacement player is a field player or a player with goalkeeping privileges, the playermustwear a helmet when defending the penalty stroke. All rules associated with a penalty stroke being defended by a field player or player with GK privileges will apply.
Play should continue with the temporary substitution of a player with goalkeeping privileges and wearing a different colored shirt or only with field players while the substitute goalkeeper puts on full protective equipment prior to entering the pitch.
Goalkeeper Shirts:
We at USA Field Hockey are aware that it would be very costly for a team to have the number of different goalkeeper shirts required to abide by the rules. But, it is expected that each team do the best they can to abide by the rule.
Example: if a team’s two shirt colors are Green and Gold, it is expected that the GK shirts for that team do not have any Green or Gold in them. The intent of the rule is it to have the GK as different as possible than the shirts ofboth teams.
Every team has more than 1 GK shirt available for each game. If there is any issue or possible conflict, we suggest you show the umpires all of the GK shirts available and they will make a selection best for the game.This is only if a conflict arises, not as a general procedure.
Rule 4.3 States: “Goalkeepers and players with goalkeeping privileges must wear asingle colored shirtor garment which is different in color from that of both teams.”
Goalkeepers (ie wearing full protective equipment) must wear this shirt or garment over any upper body protection. Elbow protection does not need to be covered by the shirt or garment.
Therefore, the best suggestion is to have a minimum of 2 shirts available that DO NOT have any of the team colors on them.Umpires must use common sense when making a decision on the shirts available.The rule will not be relaxed and it is expected for all teams to comply.
Danger / Drilling:
Umpires recently have been having discussions on “drilling” that have lead to inconsistency in its application by the rules.
Rule 9.8 States…
“Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play.
A ball is considered dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by players. The penalty is awarded where the action causing the danger took place.
Playing the ball deliberately and hard into an opponent’sstick, feet or handswith associated risk of injury when a player is in a ‘set’ position; and players collecting, turning and trying to play the ball deliberately through a defending player who is either close to the player in possession or is trying to play the ballare both dangerous actionsand should be dealt with under this Rule.
Therefore, if a defender is in a “set position” and an attacker attempts to force the ball through or close to them, this is dangerous and should be called. It is not mandatory for the ball to be forced into the body for danger / drilling to be called. An attacker cannot attempt to force the ball through a set stick that might be outside the framework of a defenders body as well. Keeping in mind that the defender must be in a set position and not reaching or moving the stick.
Steve Horgan
Director of Umpiring, USA Field Hockey
P: 302.668.7409
usafieldhockey.com | @usafieldhockey