1. Things you really ought to know, but may not …
Rules & Regulations
Things you really ought to know, but may not …
David Ellcock

2. Introduction Not just for the geeks!
Each of these things may potentially adversely affect the outcome of a game if you get it wrong.

3. Pre-Match

4. Whose decision is it whether or not a game should start if there are questions about the fitness of the pitch?
League Regulation 11.1: Subject to Regulation 11.5, and in particular Regulations and , prior to the commencement of a match or once a game has started, the decision on whether it should be postponed or abandoned rests with the Umpires.
The above procedures clarify the Regulations in so far as they relate to a period when the Match Official cannot be expected to have made a visit to the venue to undertake an inspection. If, however, the Match Official is willing to carry out an inspection that would accord with the time-scales outlined in Regulation , they should do so and the final decision to postpone or not is then that of the Match Official.
7.6.3: …If the pitch facilities [markings, goals, etc.] are inadequate, the Match Official, in consultation with the Umpires, may direct that the match be postponed or the venue changed.

5. What is the minimum number of players needed to start a game?
There is no minimum in either the Rules or Regulations.
League Regulation 7.3: All matches must start at the advertised time. Unless the Match Official, in their discretion, has allowed the start to be delayed, if one team is ready to start but the other is not, the Umpire concerned shall blow the whistle for the game to start and the match shall be awarded to the team which is ready to begin.
If a team is delayed en route leave it to the MO work with team managers to agree a revised start time. Stay informed but not involved.

6. In Play

7. How many minutes of an IWHL/MHL game must be completed for the result to stand?
There is no minimum. It depends on the circumstances at the time…
League Regulation 11.2: In the event of a match having to be abandoned, the EH Competitions Department will decide on the action to be taken after receiving a report from the Match Official (or umpires where no Match Official has been appointed). Such a decision may necessitate a replay of the fixture, dependent on the circumstances at the time of abandonment.

8. Defenders outside the circle? Defenders inside the circle? Attackers?
If time is stopped after a free hit has been awarded to the attack within 5m of the edge of the circle, where can players stand on resumption of play?
Defenders outside the circle?
Defenders inside the circle?
Attackers?
Rule 13.2.f: Following a time stoppage after the award of an attacking free hit inside the 23 metres area, upon the re-start all players other than the player taking the free hit must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

9. When do you blow the whistle? Where is the free hit taken from?
If an attacker plays the ball directly into the circle from a free hit within 5m of the circle:
When do you blow the whistle?
Where is the free hit taken from?
FIH Outdoor Umpires Briefing 2017* (p. 18): For a free hit taken by the attacking team within their attacking 23 metre area which is played directly into the circle:
Do not penalise unless and until the ball actually enters the circle
A free hit is awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the free hit was incorrectly executed *

10. In Play:
Indoor

11. In open play, in the centre of pitch the ball is deflected <100mm off the floor into the air by a defender. A teammate allows the ball to hit their stick without playing at the ball, waits for it to be on the floor, then plays on. Decision?
Rule 9.10: Players must not play the ball when it is in the air except that a player from the team which did not put the ball in the air may stop it.

12. A shot at goal rebounds off the bar
A shot at goal rebounds off the bar. A defender allows the ball to hit their stick without playing at the ball, waits for it to be on the floor then plays on. Decision?
Rule 9.10: Players must not play the ball when it is in the air except that a player from the team which did not put the ball in the air may stop it.
If the ball is in the air as a result of a legitimate shot at goal which has rebounded from the goalkeeper, defender or from the goal-post or cross-bar, the ball may be stopped by a player of either team.

13. Penalty Corners

14. At a PC, if the ball does not leave the circle and an attacker takes a shot at goal that is not dangerous what is the decision?
Rule 13.3.j: a goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle.
FIH Outdoor Umpires’ Briefing 2017 (p. 25) / FIH Indoor Umpires’ Briefing 2017 (p. 28) : If the ball has stayed inside the circle, it is not an offence to take a shot at goal – allow play to continue; if a defender commits an offence which normally would have prevented the probable scoring of a goal, a further penalty corner should be awarded

15. A GK is injured and / or suspended after a PC has been awarded – can they be substituted?
Rule 2.3.a: substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until after it has been completed; during this period substitution is only permitted for injury to or suspension of the defending goalkeeper or defending player with goalkeeping privileges.
NB. This relates to GKs and PwGKPs but, as per notes to 2.3.a… At a penalty corner, a defending goalkeeper (i.e. wearing full protective equipment) who is injured or suspended may be substituted by another goalkeeper wearing full protective equipment or by a player with goalkeeping privileges. At a penalty corner, a defending player with goalkeeping privileges who is injured or suspended may be substituted by another player with goalkeeping privileges and not by a goalkeeper wearing full protective equipment.

16. Can a team switch PwGKPs at a PC (i. e
Can a team switch PwGKPs at a PC (i.e. can the nominated PwGKP give the bib to another player who is also on the pitch)?
Rule 2.2: Each team has either a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges on the field or plays only with field players. Any change between these options, or between field players with goalkeeping privileges who are either on or off the pitch, must take place as a substitution.

17. Substitutions

18. Outdoor Is time stopped for a substitution involving a GK?
Is time stopped for a substitution involving a PwGKP?
Rule 2.3.g: time is stopped for substitution of goalkeepers (i.e. wearing full protective equipment) but not for other substitutions. Time is stopped briefly to permit a goalkeeper who is wearing full protective equipment to take part in a substitution. The time stoppage is not extended for a goalkeeper to put on or take off protective equipment as part of a substitution including following a goalkeeper injury or suspension. If necessary, play should continue with a player with goalkeeping privileges and wearing a different coloured shirt or only with field players while a substitute goalkeeper puts on or takes off protective equipment.

19. Indoor Is time stopped for a substitution involving a GK?
Is time stopped for a substitution involving a PwGKP?
Rule 2.3.g: time is not stopped for substitutions. This includes not stopping the time for a goalkeeper substitution, including following a goalkeeper injury or suspension.

20. Outdoor
What is the penalty if a team plays with 12 players on the pitch?
Rule 2.1 (note): If a team has more than the permitted number of players on the field, time should be stopped to correct the situation. A personal penalty may be awarded against the captain of the team involved, if inadvertently having too many players on the pitch occurs for a very short period of time and does not materially affect the match. In cases where this occurs and materially affects the match, a personal penalty must be awarded against the captain of the team involved. Decisions taken prior to correcting the situation cannot be changed, if time and/or play has already been re-started. Play and time is restarted with a free hit to the opposing team unless another penalty had been awarded against the offending team immediately before time was stopped in which case that penalty is taken.

21. Indoor
What is the penalty if a team plays with 7 players on the pitch?
Rule 2.1 (note): If a team has more than the permitted number players on the pitch, time should be stopped to correct the situation. Decisions taken prior to correcting the situation cannot be changed, if time and/or play has already been re-started. Time and play is restarted with a penalty corner awarded against the team responsible. NB. No mention of personal penalty for the captain.

22. Outdoor
If a GK is treated for an injury on the field of play must they leave the pitch for 2 minutes?
League Regulation 7.11: On field Injuries If any person from the team bench and / or doctor or other medically qualified person attending the match is required to enter the field of play to attend to a player, other than a goalkeeper, that player must leave the field of play and return to the team bench area for a minimum of two minutes. The two-minute period will be managed by the technical officials on duty. The player required to leave the field may be substituted, subject to the provisions of the Rules of Hockey.

23. Indoor
If a GK is treated for an injury on the field of play must they leave the pitch for 1 minute?
League Regulation : On field Injuries If any person from the team bench and / or the on-duty doctor enters the field of play to attend to any player, that player must leave the field of play and return to the team bench area for a minimum of one minute. The one-minute period will be managed by the technical officials on duty.

24. Indoor and / or Outdoor
If a team is playing with a PWGKP and a PS is awarded against them, may they sub their GK on?
Rule 2.3.a: substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until after it has been completed …

25. Penalty Strokes

26. If a PS is taken before the whistle is blown what is the decision if:
A goal is scored?
A goal is not scored?
Rule a: [If] the stroke is taken before the whistle is blown and a goal is scored: the penalty stroke is taken again
Rule b: [If] the stroke is taken before the whistle is blown and a goal is not scored: a free hit is awarded to the defence

27. Half Time

28. If a team has not returned to the pitch after the agreed half-time interval has elapsed, what the correct course of action?
England Hockey Half Time Protocol*: … if a team is not ready to start the second half at the agreed time as timed by the MO the captain of the offending team(s) will be suspended by the umpire for 5 minutes (and the offending team(s) shall play with one less player for the period of the captain’s suspension) … the match will not be restarted until both teams have returned to the pitch. * NPUA website > Umpiring Guidance > EH Guidance

29. Discipline

30. The MO sends a team official from the bench to the changing rooms for poor behaviour. Does the team now have to play with one fewer player on the pitch?
League Regulation 6.3: The Match Official may direct any player or official to be removed from a team bench for indiscipline. This will involve the person concerned leaving the playing area, as directed by the Match Official, for the remainder of the match. Any serious instances involving either an individual or affiliated body MAY be reported as a Disrepute Offence under the Disrepute Offence Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt such action by the Match Official does not require the team concerned to withdraw a player from the pitch for the remainder of the match. (Regulation amended for clarification in 2018/19.)

31. An umpire awards a personal penalty to a team official on the bench
An umpire awards a personal penalty to a team official on the bench. Does the team now have to play with one fewer player on the pitch?
League Regulation 6.4: The Match Official may draw the attention of the Umpires to any incident of indiscipline by any player or official from a team bench. The Umpires may then impose such personal penalty as they think fit. If the Umpires permanently (red card) or temporarily (green or yellow card) suspend a player or official from the team bench, this will require the relevant team to withdraw a player from the pitch for the duration of the suspension.

32. When a player leaves the pitch in lieu of a team official who has been suspended by an umpire, can that individual still participate in the game (i.e. can they be substituted back onto the pitch)?
This is not specifically covered in the Regulations, but the answer is YES: the player may act as a substitute provided that the team is playing with one fewer player for the duration of the suspension. The suspended official is required to sit at the technical table. The player joins their team mates on the bench. They are not suspended.

33. When can a suspended player return to the pitch if their suspension time ends when a PC is in progress?
Again, this is not specifically covered in the Regulations, but the answer is when the PC is over in accordance with Rules 13.5 & NB. We will not be implementing the practice used at FIH-level and returning a player when their suspension is over even if this is during a PC. We do not have the 40-second time stoppage before a PC meaning that there is potential for complications if a player returns while a PC is being set up.

34. When can a red card be issued and to whom?
EH Red Card & Match Day Misconduct Offence (RC&MMO) Regulations Regulation 4.2: A red card may only be issued in respect of an offence or other misconduct committed during a match. A match shall be deemed to be all that time between the commencement of a game of hockey and its completion, and shall include any extra time and / or any penalty stroke competition, the half-time interval and any other interval between the aforementioned phases of the match. A red card may be issued to any person participating in the match, including players on the pitch, substitutes and team officials (manager, coaches, physiotherapists and doctors who are part of a team’s squad) whether or not a formal team sheet has been submitted.

35. What steps should an umpire take on the issue of a “Category D” / RC&MMO Regulation 6.3 red card?
League Regulation Where an umpire issues a red card that they decide should be subject to sanction under regulation 6.3 of the Red Card and MMO Regulations the umpire should inform the offender of this at the time that the red card is issued.
RC&MMO Regulation 5.2 The umpire who issued the Red Card … shall, within 72 hours, send a completed [Red Card Report Form] … to the NDO.

36. When can an MMO be issued and by whom?
EH Red Card & Match Day Misconduct Offence Regulations Regulation 4.4: An MMO is committed when at any time during the day of the match, but excluding the time from the start to the end of the match [as defined in Reg. 4.2], a person due to participate, or who has participated, in the match misconducts [themselves] in such a way that one of the match umpires decides: (a) would have warranted the issue of a red card had such misconduct occurred during the match; and (b) is to be reported as an MMO, and the umpire so informs the offender on the day of the match. Regulation 4.4.1: As soon as reasonably practicable after the umpire has decided to report an MMO the umpire shall inform the offender that the offender’s misconduct is to be reported as an MMO.

37. Shoot-Outs

38. This may seem irrelevant to your weekly umpiring, but please remember that shoot-outs are used at the end of all national finals if the scores are level. You may need to know about them …
The following are based on the FIH General Tournament Regulations, Outdoor Competitions, Appendix 11 , which will be incorporated into EH Championships and Knock-Out Cup Regulations, where relevant.

39. Can a player who is still serving a green or yellow card suspension at the end of the game take part in a shoot-out?
Para 3: A player who has been warned (green card) or temporarily suspended (yellow card) may take part in the shoot-out competition even if the period of their suspension has not been completed at the end of the match.

40. Can a player be green carded in a shoot-out?
Para 3: A player may be suspended by a yellow or red card but not by a green card during the shoot-out competition.

41. What happens if the GK is yellow or red carded during a shoot-out?
Para 17.b: … the replacement for a suspended goalkeeper / defending player can only come from the five players of that team nominated to take part in the shoot-out competition: i. the replacement goalkeeper / defending player is allowed reasonable time to put on protective equipment similar to that which the goalkeeper / defending player they are replacing was wearing; ii. for taking their own shoot-out, this player is allowed reasonable time to take off their protective equipment to take their shoot-out and subsequently to put it on again.

42. What happens if a player who has not yet taken their shoot-out is yellow carded?
Para 17.c: any shoot-out due to be taken by a suspended player is forfeited …

43. Sources

44. FIH Rules of Hockey 2017
FIH Outdoor Umpires’ Briefing 2017
FIH General Tournament Regulations Outdoor Competitions (April 2018)
England Hockey League Regulations 2018/19 (not currently available online – link is to Women’s Regulations 2017/18 – will be updated ASAP)
England Hockey Protocol for the Management of Half Time in IWHL & MHL Matches (November 2014)
England Hockey Red Card & Match Day Misconduct Offence Regulations (December 2017)
FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey 2017
FIH Indoor Umpires’ Briefing 2017 (version 2)
FIH Tournament Regulations Indoor Competitions (November 2017)
England Hockey Jaffa Super 6s Championships Regulations 2017/18 (not currently available online)