1. Rules Seminar .

2. Contents... Goalkeepers The match length Attacking free hits
Penalty corners
Defensive free hits
Protective equipment
Ball in the air
Minor tweaks
Disciplinary

3. Goalkeepers

4. **It is permitted to substitute any player at a penalty stroke**
NEW RULES – GOALKEEPER
2.2 Each team has either a goalkeeper on the field or plays only with field players. Mandatory Experiment from 1 January 2019 : the team no longer has the option to play with a player with goalkeeping privileges.
From 2.3
At a penalty corner, a defending goalkeeper who is injured or suspended may be substituted by another goalkeeper or by a player.
If a team has only field players, no substitution is permitted at a penalty corner until it has been completed.
From 13.7e
If the team defending a penalty stroke has chosen to play only with field players and not to use a substitute goalkeeper to defend the penalty stroke the defender may only use their stick to make the save.
**It is permitted to substitute any player at a penalty stroke**

5. What this means for Umpires …
Makes our lives easier when the ball hits a defender's foot in the circle, we are just then looking at intent or whether it is preventing a goalscoring opportunity​
Teams with 5 x outfielders at PC’s allow all to wear gloves / knee protection / masks, etc
The key to this is remembering who is on the team sheet, as if a team does have a Goalkeeper, then the team can substitute them onto the pitch for the Penalty Stroke. They can then substitute them back off immediately after the PS.

6. The Match

7. NEW RULES – THE MATCH
5.1 A match consists of four quarters of 15 minutes, an interval of 2 minutes between quarter 1 and 2 and between quarter 3 and 4 and a half- time interval of 5 minutes between quarter 2 and 3.
Other periods and interval may be agreed by both teams except as specified in Regulations for particular competitions.
If time expires just before an umpire would otherwise have made a decision, umpires are permitted to make that decision immediately after the end of the quarter.
If an incident arises immediately before the end of a quarter which requires review by the umpires, the review may be conducted even though time has subsequently been completed and signalled. The review should take place immediately and action taken to revert to and correct the situation as appropriate.

8. Games will consist of: 4 x 15 minute periods
Time being stopped at a PC (see slide 7) and for goal (see later slides)
2 minute break at end of 1st and 3rd quarter
5 minute break at the end of the 2nd quarter 
Play will restart with a centre pass, quarters 1 & 2 will be started by the one team, periods 3 & 4 will be started by the other team.

9. For us mere mortals....
Only rule which is not being adopted in Wales, except for during the latter stages of cup competitions.
Games will remain 2 x 35-minute halves, with no stoppages for PC's or goals
English National League Games are playing 4 x minute quarters with no stoppages for goals and PC’s.

10. Attacking free hit inside 23

11. NEW RULES – FREE HIT INSIDE 23m
From 13.2f
At an attacking free hit awarded within 5 metres of the circle, the ball cannot be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres or it has been touched by a defending player. If the free hit is taken immediately, the defenders who are inside the circle within 5 metres of the free hit may shadow around the inside of the circle a player who takes a self-pass, provided that they do not play or attempt to play the ball or influence play until it has either travelled at least 5 metres or alternatively been touched by a defending player who can legitimately play the ball. If the attacker chooses not to take the free hit immediately, all other players must be at least 5 metres from the ball before the free hit is taken.
Note – this is not a new rule, but just provides clarification on the old rule.

12. Free Hits inside 23 EVERYBODY must be 5m UNLESS free hit is taken immediately

13. "Unless taken immediately"…..!?!?
Keep it simple....if there is time for the umpire to say the words "everybody 5 please" before the free hit is taken, then that would meet the requirement for every other player to be 5 metres away

14. Penalty Corners

15. NEW RULES – PENALTY CORNERS
13.3 Taking a penalty corner:
a Time and play is stopped after a penalty corner is awarded and re-started when the teams are ready 
Teams should take as little time as possible to take their positions for the taking of a penalty corner
13.6 e
an attacker enters the circle before permitted, the player taking the push or hit from the backline is required to go beyond the centre- line : the penalty corner is taken again.
Attackers who are sent beyond the centre-line may not return for re-taken penalty corners, but may do so for a subsequently awarded penalty corner

16. What this means for umpires
If an attacker breaks early, then the injector is the one penalised. This makes a difference now if an attacker does stray into the circle early.​
TEAMWORK is essential here between the umpires as it is almost impossible for the engaged umpire to see all of the attackers. Either Radio’s or an agreed method of communicating is required to get this right using the umpire at halfway.

17. NEW RULES – PENALTY CORNERS
13.5 The penalty corner is completed when:
a goal is scored
a free hit is awarded to the defending team
the ball travels more than 5 metres outside the circle
the ball is played over the back-line and a penalty corner is not awarded
a defender commits an offence which does not result in another penalty corner
a penalty stroke is awarded
a bully is awarded.
If play is stopped because of an injury or for any other reason during the taking of a penalty corner at the end of a quarter and a bully would otherwise be awarded, the penalty corner must be taken again.
Again, this is not a new rule as such, but the part about
the ball leaving the D for a second time has been
removed

18. What this means for Umpires
Instead of managing PC’s last year with 2 x different interpretations, it’s simpler now when the corner is at the end of time for quarter / half or full time.​
This is also 5m or more OUTSIDE the circle, manage using the hash marks around the circle.

19. Ball outside D on PC’s
It is not a foul if the ball does not go outside the D on a penalty corner – all it means is that the attacking side cannot score a goal.
If the ball does not leave the D then you cannot award a penalty stroke for a foul which prevents the probable scoring of a goal.  You can only award another penalty corner.
You can still award a penalty stroke for a deliberate foul inside the D against a player in possession, or the opportunity to play the ball. 

20. Defensive Free Hit Inside circle

21. NEW RULES – DEFENSIVE FREE HIT INSIDE CIRCLE
As in Indoor Hockey a defender may now take a free hit awarded in the circle anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 meters from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line.
This does not apply to "16's" !!

22. What this means for Umpires
We have to be clear that this rule takes effect when the umpire has given a Free Hit, NOT a Hit Out (or ”16”). ​ ​
The ball can be moved from one side of the circle to the other before the free hit is taken and this can happen using the back of the stick, foot or “thrown”.​
In all cases, this has to be done safely and not in a way that can be interpreted as the FH being taken

23. Face Masks / Equipment

24. Face Masks / Equipment From Rule 4.2 … From Rule 12.4 …
Face masks may be worn for the duration of the penalty corner including the immediate taking of a free hit awarded after a penalty corner when passing the ball to another player.
From Rule 12.4 …
If the ball hits a piece of equipment lying in the circle and a probable goal is prevented a penalty stroke may be awarded
If the ball hits a piece of equipment lying in the circle and does not prevent a probable goal then a penalty corner may be awarded.
If the ball hits a piece of equipment lying outside the circle then a free hit may be awarded to the attacking team.

25. What this means for Umpires
For the past 2 seasons, we’ve been asked to award a Penalty Corner in these situations. The rule change allows the umpire to award a Penalty Stroke IF the umpire believes that the piece of protective equipment has prevented a probably goal scoring opportunity.

26. Ball in the air

27. Ball in the air
Aerials
Deliberately lifted from free hit
Danger

28. Aerials Is the ball dangerous as it is lifted up?
Rule 9.10 : players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been received, controlled and is on the ground : where the initial receiver is unclear the side which places the ball in the air must allow the opponent to play the ball.
Is the ball dangerous as it is lifted up?
Yes – free hit against team lifting the ball, from where it was lifted
Is the ball landing into a group of players?
Yes – free hit against the team who lifted the ball
Is the ball landing to two players?
Yes - free hit against the team who lifted the ball
Is the ball landing to an attacker/defender who is by themselves
Yes- allow play to continue unless a player is within 5m and interfering before the ball is brought under control

29. Deliberately lifted from a free hit
9.9 Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except for a shot at goal. A raised hit must be judged explicitly on whether or not it is raised intentionally. It is not an offence to raise the ball unintentionally from a hit, including a free hit, anywhere on the field unless it is dangerous. If the ball is raised over an opponent's stick or body on the ground, even within the circle, it is permitted unless judged to be dangerous.

30. Danger
9.7 Players may stop, receive and deflect or play the ball in a controlled manner in any part of the field when the ball is at any height including above the shoulder unless this is dangerous or leads to danger. 
9.8 Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play. A ball is also considered dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by opponents. The penalty is awarded where the action causing the danger took place

31. Minor tweaks....
An "offence" must now be against an opponent – so a raised ball which nearly takes your own players head off should not be blown as a foul (but still don't do it). 
Goalkeepers can now propel the ball with any part of their protective equipment, not just their kickers and leg guards as previously.

32. Disciplinary

33. Player Behaviour
Player discipline is of the upmost importance. It is the job of the captain to ensure that his/her team (including subs and support staff) behave appropriately.
The continual questioning of the umpires decision is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Umpires should deal with this as a form of dissent and personal penalties should be issued to players.
The surrounding of an umpire (>1 player) after a decision is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Umpires should deal with this as a form of dissent and personal penalties should be issued to players.
Players who are suspended from the game (temporary or permanently) and who carry on having poor disciplinary issues while either walking off the pitch or sat down, should be issued with further personal penalties. 

34. Red Cards Technical Red Ordinary Red
Can be awarded for two MINOR and identical yellow card offences
A ten minute yellow card is not a MINOR offence
Can not be awarded for abuse of umpire 
Match day ban
Can be awarded for two different yellow card offences e.g. Physical play & abuse
Ban can range from 16 days upwards

35. Regional Disciplinary Officers
North Wales
South Wales
Clare Barwood
John Taylor
Reporting Procedures
Go to
Resources Menu, then downloads
Download red card form
Once completed return to either Clare or John

36. Question Time....