Questions and Answers, and Clarifications |
| Question/Answer. Arranged by Rules of Hockey rule number. If you don't see an answer to your question, email the question in. |
| Rule 1: Game, Field, Equipment, and Players |
| Q. Where can a keeper actually play in the field? A. Anywhere in their own half of the field, unless taking a penalty stroke. They only have the rights of a field player once outside the circle though. (Rule 1, Section 7, Article 4) |
| Rule 2: Officials and Duties |
| Rule 3: Definitions of Players, Procedures, Techniques, and Fouls |
| Q. What do we look for, to call third-party obstruction? A. First, let's dispel the notion that third-party obstruction happens when there are three people near the ball. That's not what you look for. In fact, three people going for the ball is nothing until there is a foul (like a stick interference), and then it would be called stick interference. What you look for, is in basketball terms, a pick. In soccer terms, it's a screen. When a red teammate of the red player with the ball does something to prevent the defender from the white team from attempting to play the ball, that is usually called third-party obstruction. Usually this is seen when an offensive player other than the player with the ball moves their body between the attacker and the defender, shielding the defender from playing the ball. An important point: In order to call third party obstruction, the victimized player needs to be within playing distance of the ball. At game speeds, this translates into "a stick and a step", meaning the outstretched stick plus one step toward the ball. Q. Must there be two actions on the self-pass now? A. No. (Rule 3.3.9 Situations) Q. When is a forehand edge hit legal? A. Call it dangerous if it is either obviously dangerous to another player or rises when hit. The forehand edge hit needs to be executed precisely. Look for the low-to-ground motion and the ball being "swept" and the ball to stay close to ground to be non-dangerous. Some other allowable situations include the forehand edge being used in a tackle, or to pop the ball up over a goalie on the ground or over an opponent's stick in a controlled manner (See Rule 3, Section 4, article 9), Otherwise a forehand edge "hit" is dangerous. (Rule 3.4.9, situations) Q. A player scores a goal by taking a backhand edge shot at goal. There are no other players but the ball is raised and passes head height to the side of the keeper on its way in to the goal. Should the goal be disallowed due to danger. A. In this particular situation, the goal should be allowed if a.) the player taking the shot did not deliberately raise the shot to create danger (ie, it appeared to be controlled and aimed toward a spot in the goal), and b.) the goalie did not take evasive action because of the danger (ie, ball directly flying at their head). The umpire is the arbiter of danger, and the danger can depend upon skill level of the players involved in the match. See the note at the end of Rule 3.4.9a regarding backhand edge hits. So if this occurs in a JV game, and either other players are near the path of the ball or the keeper makes an evading action, or the hit is deliberately done to create danger, then it's a free hit for the defense (FHD). Also a reminder that forehand edge hits would be immediately disallowed. There are some forehand skills that are allowed, as described in Rule 3 section 4 article 9a which mainly deal with a long pushing motion along the ground, controlled tackles, or raising the ball in a controlled way over an opponent's stick or keeper on the ground Q. Can a field player (a non-goalie) use their hand to play down an aerial ball? A. No. Per rule 3.4.1, this is a foul called advancing, which is using any part of the body to propel, deflect, or stop the ball to a team's advantage. Rule 8.1.1(o) also specificially forbids a hand stop. |
| Rule 4: Length of Periods, Time-outs. Also Substitution |
| For EAL games, JV is 25 minute halves, and varsity is 30 minute halves. Time-outs are 90 seconds. Whistle players onto the field at 90 seconds. Halftime is 5 minutes. Time-outs: Two per team per game: They can be taken in any half. So both can be taken in one half. The time-out needs to be called during a stoppage of play, and when the team calling the time-out has possession of the ball. Q. Is an umpire required to call an official's time-out if a coach disagrees with a call? A. No, just like other sports such as basketball, football, and volleyball, if a coach disagrees with a call, the official is not required to call a time-out. Per rule 4.3, the umpire's decisions are final. |
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Q. How is a tie in regulation handled in JV? A. For EAL in 2013, it's a 5 minute overtime, then if needed, 5 flicks for each team. No further flicks after 5 each, so game can end in a tie. |
| Rule 5: Starting and Re-starting play |
| Q: Inside the 25 yardline, when the offense is hitting the ball, what is the call when a player is closer than 5 yards? A: For the stationary player positioned a bit close, verbally ask them to back up, or if it's a repeat offense, advance the ball. For an intentional foul, as might happen when a defender tries to break down play on a quick restart by walking away from the ball, then at 4 yards turning around and trying to play the restarted ball, a penalty corner is awarded. |
| Rule 6: Scoring |
| Q. There's a flick shot taken by the red team from just inside the circle. It's not the first shot during a short corner. Just a shot during the game. The ball is not dangerous, but hits a defender more than 5 yards away just above knee level. When it is a short corner, and when is it a free hit for the defense (FHD)? A. There are three general scenarios here (See 6.1.1 Situations and Rulings, situations C and D): 1. If the defender is not marking a red team player, then it's a short corner. Once a defender places herself in front of the goal while not marking, they are expected to defend the shot. 2. If the defender is marking another player, then they get the benefit of the doubt, and it's free hit for the defense (FHD). 3. If the defender is outside the mouth of the goal, then it's free hit for the defense (FHD). Q. OK, change things just a bit: The ball is hit below the knee and hits the defender's foot (and defender is more than 5 yards away) and the whistle is blown. A. It's different with the ball below the knee. 1. If the defending player is not marking a red player, then it's a stroke. The defensive player, by being in that location, is expected to properly defend a shot on goal rather than intentionally prevent a goal scoring opportunity. 2. If the defender is marking another player, then it's a short corner. 3. If the defender is outside the mouth of the goal, it's also a short corner. |
| Rule 7: Out of Bounds: Side-in, Long Hit, and 16-Yard Hit |
| Q. Is there anything different about the 5 yard movement rule for side-ins or long hits (long corners)? A. No, For any side-in inside the 25 yard line, or any long corner, the ball cannot be hit directly into the circle without being touched by another player or until it has amassed a dribbling distance of 5 yards by the initial player prior to playing the ball into the circle. (Rule 7, Section 2, article 4) (also Rule 9, section 1, Article 1. .f) |
| Rule 8: Fouls and Misconduct |
| Q. What's the call when the ball gets lodged in the keeper's pads accidentally? A. Short corner (Rule 8, Section 1, Article 1, part u. Also Rule 1, section 7, article 5.) Q. During training, a question was asked about a player feinting a hard shot when the defender approaches in order to get the defender to back off. A. If the stick is raised high (front or back) and a player is approaching or in playing distance, and the action is deemed by you to be dangerous or intimidating, then this is a foul. If the stick is not raised high, then no foul, even though they have signaled that they might be hitting it by bringing the stick safely back. You need to judge based on height of stick and proximity of defense. You are looking for danger and intimidation. Q. Offense in the circle, player dives at loose ball behind keeper to put the ball into the goal, and is on the ground while hitting the ball into the goal. Should the goal be awarded? A. If there is not a moment at which the offensive player is obstructing the defense, then the goal is awarded. (Rule 8.1.1.d). However, both umpires should confer so that this is agreed to be the case. Q. Offense in circle, this time the player dives at a loose ball on the left side , sending the ball rebounding off keeper into right side area. The player on the left side is not obstructing anyone during the time she is on the ground but remains on the ground, while a teammate on the right side puts the rebound into the goal. So a goal is scored while an offensive player is on the ground for a couple of seconds. A. The ruling is a goal as long as the conditions of 8.1.1.d are met (that the play on the ground didn't lead to dangerous play). Also, if the player on the ground or diving to the ground makes contact with a defender, then this is a foul (Rule 8.1.1.i-pushing) or obstruction (Rule 3.4.4), so the goal would be disallowed, and the call is free hit for the defense (FHD). Additionally, the player on the left side on the ground can't have obstructed the path to the ball by a defender on the left side trying to make a play. Again, just as with the prior question, both umpires should confer after the goal to check whether obstruction or intererference occurred. Q. Inside the 25 yard line the offense restarts quickly after a free hit is awarded. Must a foul be called on a defensive player still within 5 yards? A. No, as long as they are not participating in the play or influencing it. See Rule 9 questions for what happens if the defensive player does try to play the ball. Q. Can the hand be used to stop a ball? A. No. Per rule 8.1.1(o), a hand stop of any ball, except by a goalkeeper, is a foul. The next questions dealing with aerial balls are generally addressed by rule 8.1.1(f) and (g) and (g note), but are more fully addressed by the USAFH points of emphasis video reached via the link below.
Q: Can aerial passes be sent into the circle?
A: Short answer is yes, subject to danger, but the danger is highly likely. Please read on. Regarding aerial passes, the USAFH advice to umpires spends considerable time on this topic. It's one of their main points of emphasis for both the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
The presentation is the first part on this page: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Fie There is nothing that specifically prevents an aerial pass from being lifted into the D, however, danger is still the overriding consideration just as with any aerial pass. Umpires are instructed to immediately blow the whistle before the ball even reaches players if players from opposing teams are contesting the 5 yard area that the ball will be landing. You are asked to make this decision quickly during the final third of the ball's flight. Q: Who has the right to receive the aerial ball? A: The clear initial receiver has a right to the ball. In theory, the pass would be made to an offensive teammate who is clear of other players. The offensive player should have no other player near them in order to have a safe receiving of the aerial pass. However, 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. If this does not occur, then it's a FHD (free hit for defense). On the other side of the coin, if the ball lands 5 yards from any other player (even if in the D) and it's not dangerous on the way up or down, then play on.
Q: Aside from who is in the landing area of the ball, how is danger judged and what is the restart if there is danger? A: Umpires are instructed to look for danger on ball's upward flight, mid-flight (if not elevated high), and landing path. Does it pass dangerously close to other players during any of these phases? If it's dangerous on the way up or midflight, or if the danger already is present for the landing area, then the restart is a FHD where the ball was initially played. If the danger develops in the landing area (second player moves in to an established receiver) then the restart is at that landing area danger location.
Q: Who is the ball awarded to when the aerial ball is contested in the landing area? A: If the offensive player is clearly the initial receiver (no other player within 5 yards) and a defensive player contests the offensive player receiving the ball while the ball is on the way down or until the time that the ball has been "received, controlled, and is on the ground" (see NFHS 8.1.1g notation), then umpires are instructed to whistle a foul on the defense with the restart being a free hit for the offense at that location (modified if in circle or inside dotted line). If a defensive player is the clear initial receiver and an offensive player moves in, then the whistle is to be blown quickly and the ball awarded to the defense at that location. There are a other variants for situations, and the video covers them pretty well.
Q: Can a defender try to play the ball during the upward flight of an aerial pass? A: The stick can never be raised above the shoulder, and the defender must be five yards back. If an aerial ball is otherwise playable, meaning that it's within a stick's reach and just below the shoulder, then it's probably dangerous, and the restart is FHD.
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| Rule 9: Free Hit |
| Q. Under what circumstances can the ball not have to be moved 5 yards in order for it to be played into the circle on a free hit for the offense inside the defense's 25 yard line?
A. The 5 yard requirement long longer applies if the ball is touched by the defense or another offensive player - even if the ball is deflected (Rule 9, section 2, Article 1. .f and .h). Q. How do I handle it when a player is within 5 yards of the ball when the player awarded the free hit is trying to hit. A. There are a lot of situations here, and each has to be handled by balancing safety and the flow of the game. Interpretations are generally governed by Rule 9, Section 2, Article 1b, and Article 2. Here are some cases which will help provide the most obvious situations and methods of handling. Use your judgement for scenarios that are in-between: Scenario: The free hit is awarded to the red team. A white player is 2 yards from the ball at the time of the whistle and is walking generally away from the ball but is only 3 yards away at the time the red player attempts to play the ball. If the red team player chooses the quick restart with a self-pass rather than waiting for the white team player to move 5 yards away, then let this play on but the white team player must not play the ball or influence play until the ball has moved to where they should have been had they properly been 5 yards away. If the red team player is lining up to hit the ball directly down field and the white team player is walking slowly away from the ball, but is still about 4 yards away and in line with a forthcoming hit, then they are "influencing play", and you should blow the whistle for safety reasons and ask the white team player to back away five yards. If they fail to provide 5 yards or if they continue to use this method of influencing play, then you can escalate to advance five or ten yards, and even escalate to cards if they persist with this. Q. On a free hit awarded to the offenside inside the defensive 25 yard line, the offensive player chooses to self-start prior to a defensive player moving 5 yards away. As the offensive player is moving toward the goal, the defensive player, not yet outside the 5 yard area, tries to play the ball and therefore influences play. What is the ruling? A. This is a penalty corner, because the foul is ruled intentional and inside the 25. (rule 9.2.4, penalty 4a). Q: If the ball is placed on the 24 yard line, can it be brought back to the 26 yard line (a dribbling distance of 2 yards) then hit or flicked into the circle? A: No. The 5 yard dribbling rule applies from the moment the offense is awarded the hit at the 24 yard line. See rule 9.2.4 situation B. |
| Rule 10: Penalty Corner |
| Q: On a short corner, a defensive player leaves the line too soon. Should I wait to see if a goal is scored?
A. No, the infraction needs to be whistled immediately and the player sent across the center line. (Rule 10, section 2: Penalties) Q. On a short corner, do I need to tell the players that the ball never went outside the circle? A. No, it's the players' responsibilities to follow the rule. You can only call the infraction after the goal is scored, because prior to the goal being scored, there is actually no infraction. The ball could, for example, come back outside the circle after some more play, and then a goal gets scored (Rule 10, Section 2, Article 6 shows no instructions to referee to coach play here). Q. The ball isn't placed on the end line prior to the shot. Do I stop play before the hit ? A. Yes, you need to not allow the shot to proceed until it is placed correctly. Once it is taken, you need to let it play. |
| Rule 11: Penalty Stroke |
| The rulebook has some clear information on when a stroke is called, and how it is carried out. Below are some clarifications of when the stroke can be called in scenarios involving players in the way. Q:1a. On regular play inside the D, two defenders who are not marking purposely get down to either side of the keeper with sticks on the ground, but are not making body contact with the ground other than their feet. Ruling: play on, no deliberate foul or foul that prevented an obvious goal to activate rule 11.1.1 part a or b. Q: 1b. Offensive player more than 5 yards away hits a shot. It hits one of these two defenders below the knee and the ball would have scored. Ruling: Stroke Q: 1c. The shot is a flick shot and hits one of the two non-marking players on the shoulder (higher than 18") while they are down in the "sticks down" defensive position. Ruling: PC since they were expected to defend the shot based on where they were lined up, even if shot is dangerous. Q: 1d. Ball is hit hard from more than 5 yards away and hits one of these players on shoulder. Ruling: Still a PC. Now, tweak the scenarios above, with players standing up, and you get the same same rulings, but just to confirm: Q: 2a. Now modify, and instead of players down, they are standing up to either side of keeper, not appearing to mark anyone. Ruling, until a shot is taken, play on, no deliberate foul. Q: 2b. Shot more than 5 yards away hits one of these players below the knee, and ball would have otherwise scored. Ruling: Stroke Q: 2c. Offense flicks ball and hits one of the players in stomach, but ball would have otherwise scored. Ruling: PC Q: 2d. Hard shot into stomach, but ball would have otherwise scored. Ruling: PC Q: 3. Now we add the nuances. The main thing we add now is the defensive player moving into the path of the ball rather than being pre-positioned. So now, It doesn't matter where defenders stand so long as they don't illegally prevent goals, or deliberately "move into danger" in order to obtain a call against the attack. In this latter instance, which one sees more often at higher levels, smart defenders play the odds on whether an umpire will catch what they actually did and call it -- that is, insinuate themselves into a dangerous situation (most often, a shot on goal) as a means of preventing a goal. (this is seen a lot with men). But the basis of the call is whether the defender "created" the danger. A: Now, if in creating danger a defender also prevents a ball from entering the goal with any part of their body, it is nearly always a stroke -- IF the keeper is not standing directly behind them or close enough to make a stop. This is a tricky call and again, at the higher levels, college coaches will immediately ask "where was the keeper?" Q: 4. What about height of the ball, when the defender insinuates herself into the shot ? A: Except for the first shot on the PC, the height of the ball that hits a defender standing in front of the goal matters little. The calculation for the umpire is the keeper's location and whether there was anything that occurred with the shot that made the shot itself dangerous. In scenarios 1 and 2 above, we don't see this latter condition. So, to recap: Your first duty is to determine where the keeper is and whether the keeper could have stopped the shot. If the keeper could have stopped the shot, then the call is a PC. If the keeper could not have stopped the shot, and the ball was prevented from entering the goal because it hit the insinuating defender's body, then the correct call is nearly always a stroke. The "nearly always" part only relates to some other danger created by the shot itself to some other player or players not mentioned in the above scenarios. So in the final analysis, it's your judgement with what you are presented. Did the player insinuate themselves into danger. If so, then you can call a stroke if the ball hits them anywhere, if the keeper couldn't have played it. Q: 5. Regarding mechanics of the stroke: what is allowed and what is disallowed with regard to the feet being in front of the line ? A: The rule states that no foot may be down in front of the stroke mark at the start of the stroke, and that the ball cannot be dragged. There is some fuzziness as to what "at the start of the stroke" means. You might see players in international competition stepping downward with the left foot in front of the line just as the ball is flicked. What's not allowed is for the ball to be dragged, and the very high level player is being judged by the umpires as not dragging the ball as they are stepping down, so the step-down, even if a slight bit of time before the ball starts to move, is allowed. Let's now take a look at a not allowed case. Imagine the player stepping toward the goal with a big step, then proceeding to take the stroke. Because the ball is now even with their back foot it is highly likely that the ball will be dragged when it starts to move, as it has to stay on the ground from the starting point to the midpoint between the feet before it can leave the club head. The EAL umpires will judge a stroke as legal if any of these are true a.) both feet are down behind the ball at the moment the ball starts to move, b.) the left foot is in the air and on the way down as the ball starts to move, c.) the left foot is coming down and may touch ever so slightly ahead of the ball starting to move, but the time differential is so short (about .1 second or less) and the ball is so obviously flicked and not dragged, that it is an allowed stroke. EAL umpires cannot use video replay, and in general will look at the lead foot as the initial indicator of a drag. Coaches are encouraged to coach stroke mechanics that has both feet either obviously down behind the line, or the lead foot obviously not down the moment the ball moves. |
| Rule 12: Conduct of Coaches and Spectators |
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Q: If a coach swears at or verbally abuses a player, can that be carded?
A: Yes, per rule 12.1.2, a coach and nonparticipating team personnel shall not use abuse language (part b). The penalty is a green card, which can be escalated upon the second and third offense. |
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