World Hockey says: The Rules in this new publication become effective from 1 May 2009 at international level. National Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level. www.fihockey.org
England hockey says: The 2009–10 FIH Outdoor Rules of Hockey will be introduced to ALL outdoor hockey in England on 1 September 2009. England Hockey will be producing supporting resources over the coming months (April-July 2009) so as to assist players, coaches and umpires with their understanding. www.englandhockey.co.uk
Rule Changes
One of the objectives of the FIH and therefore of the Hockey Rules Board is to decrease the number and duration of interruptions to the flow of play and to increase the length of time the ball is in active play. With this in mind, the Rule specifying how a free hit is taken has been reviewed. The player taking the free hit may use a “selfpass”. Full details are provided in Rules 13.1 and 13.2.
Additionally, attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area have been reviewed in general and in relation to the 'self-pass'. The Hockey Rules Board is concerned that the ball is often played hard, indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously into the circle. Rule 13.2 now specifies that the ball must not be played directly into the circle.
These two Rules are referred to as Mandatory Experimental Rules. They are mandatory because they must be played throughout hockey; they are experimental to show that they will be reviewed after experience before deciding if they become permanent Rules.
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.
