For 2009 the FIH (International Hockey Federation) have introduced a number of rule changes. Guidance on how to follow and interpret all of the rule changes can be found in the following document:
Guidance to Umpires regarding the FIH 2009 Rules of Hockey
The EMHUA have also produced a briefing document on the new “Self-Pass” rule:
The most significant rules changes focus on the Procedures for taking Free Hits and are produced below for reference. For further information on the Rules of Hockey, please go to the Umpiring Resources section.
13 Procedures for taking penalties
13.1 Mandatory Experimental Rule
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 Mandatory Experimental Rule
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.
If the player taking the free hit continues to play the ball (ie no other player has yet played it):
– that player may play the ball any number of times, but
– the ball must travel at least 5 metres, before
– that player plays the ball into the circle by hitting or pushing the ball again.
Alternatively:
– another player of either team who can legitimately play the ball must deflect, hit or push the ball before it enters the circle, or
– after this player has touched the ball, it can be played into the circle by any other player including the player who took the free hit.
All parts of Rule 13.2 apply as appropriate to a free hit, centre pass and putting the ball back into play after it has been outside the field.
