Norfolk Hockey AssociationNorfolk Hockey Association
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Today is
Level 1 Umpring Course
Thursdays 11th & 18th March (6:00pm to 9:30pm)
at The Sports Park, UEA, Norwich
This course is to be held at the Sports Park, UEA, Norwich - based on two Thirsday evenings. Cost of the course is £30 (cheques payable to NHUA), please use the booking form here and return to Alan Jones (NHUA L1 Admin), 11 Breydon Drive North, Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BB by friday March 5th. We have 24 places, first come - first booked. Details of the course sylabus can be found on the EH website. It will help if you can have a look throught he new Hockey Rule book, link on the EH website. Candidates will be required to attend both sessions.
Specific Guidance on the New Rules: - A free hit to the defenders inside their 23m area
It appears that there are some umpires insisting that players taking a hit to the defence within their 23m area are penalising passes that do not travel 5 metres and go to team mates within this distance. Obviously, this is incorect as it is only in the attacking 23m area where both teams have to be 5 metres away when the hit is for the attackers.
The options are to take a self pass or if passing to a team mate, the ball has to travel a minimum of 1 metre. The other defenders can stand as close as they wish, as long as the ball moves 1 metre, only the attacking team have to be 5 metres away.
I hope this is clear.
New Rules - Effective from 1st September 2009
FIH new rules books have been ordered from EH and will be sent to all NHUA members when we have them, hopefully before the new season starts.
Here is an extract of the new rules:-
13.1 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 23m area.
b) a free hit awarded within 5M of the circle to the attack is taken at the nearest point 5m from the circle
c) a free hit awarded outside the circle to the defence within 15m of the back-line is taken up to 15m 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 15m from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line.
13.2 Procedures for taking a free hit, centre pass and putting the ball back into play after it has been outside the field:
the ball must be stationary
opponents must be at least 5m from the ball
If an opponent is within 5m 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 23m area, all players other than the player taking the free hit must be at least 5m 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 1m
The ball does not have to move 1m before the player taking the free hit may play the ball again.
h) from a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23m area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5m or has been touched by a player of either team other than the player taking the free hit.
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A couple of points to consider.
It is important that all can see that the self-pass consists of 2 separate actions. Once that has happened, the ball is in open play. Consequently it is important to be careful how the ball is retrieved to the spot from where you intend to take a 15m hit (16yd in old money) from (or in fact any other re-start). A good way might be to place the foot on the ball to steady it before continuing or to carry the ball to the spot. This will avoid confusion.
Secondly, all free-hits around the circle (for the attackers) must be taken back to the 5m dotted line. There are still many pitches without this marking. In which case the umpires will decide where 5m is.
And the 23m line takes on some extra significance. A free hit awarded just inside this area can not be taken back outside that area (thus allowing a hit to go directly into the circle) Umpires must ensure the hit(s) in this area are correctly positioned. The line (as is the circle line part of the circle) is part of the 23m area.
Indoor Hockey Rules - effective now
Mini Hockey Rules - effective now
Download Match Record Card
This is for all Level-1 umpires (except those taking NHUA pool or East appointments). The idea is that you need to show that you have umpired at least 3 games per season to remain on the active list. The card is NOT a record of competence; the Captains sign just to say that you have umpired the game(s). When completed send the card to me (Alan Jones - NHUA L1 Admin). Some of you will have received real cards. This is for those who didn't get or have lost their cards.
Advice & Guidance for players and umpires
Please read the page about behaviour on the pitch & the link to the EH Code of Practice
They should help and clarify what the umpires duties are in "officiating" at game of hockey and what the players/team/clubs are responsible for. And how conflicts can be resolved/reported.
Please start on Time:
It is vital matches start at the published/appointed times. The onus is on the home team to enable this and make it happen with the umpires' assistance. The first match of the day must get off on time. By the end of the day games could be running 30 minutes or more late, this is not acceptable.
Once on the pitch, teams are allowed 10 minutes "warming up time" unless otherwise waived in agreement by all. Then start the game.
Umpires should seriously consider terminating games at the scheduled finish time, regardless of how long is left on the watch. It is not fair on the next/waiting games. However due concern must be given to injuries, especially head, neck and back injuries and you must take medical advice on moving the victim. This will lead to delays, but it doesn't mean the game has to be played out. A reasonable amount of time should be allowed for the change of goalkeeping kit - normally 5 minutes would be sufficient.
CAPTAINS' Role:
It is worth repeating exactly what is expected of the captains.
They are responsible for the behaviour of ALL their players, both on and off the pitch. You should note that this applies the moment an umpire arrives at the venue and until they leave. Matters occurring during the actual 70 minutes of the game (including half time) are under the express control of the umpires. Matters occurring before or after the game are dealt with by match day misconduct report forms and are treated as seriously as any red card issued during the game itself.
They are responsible for the best behaviour of their supporters, more so the home team captain and for the exclusion of extraneous people/spectators from the pitch. Aside from the maximum 5 substitutes, there can be a manager, a coach and a physio/trainer/medical type person - certainly no more.
Photographers should ask permission from the umpires to go pitch side - they do not have the right. The umpires will explain the danger areas and where they can stand.
The only other persons permitted pitch side would be the match delegate (or tournament officials) and possibly an umpire coach for training/assessment purposes.
The umpires will ask all others to leave, the captain may be asked to do it, for persistent breaches the captain may be penalised.
Captains must be identifiable to the umpires, an arm band should be worn on the arm, nice though they are on legs and other parts.
If the captain is substituted or suspended, the replacement captain must wear an arm band.
The captain must co-operate in the identification of a player(s) who has misbehaved, failure to do so could result in the captain being suspend instead.
Captains should be ready with their team sheet 10 to 15 minutes before the start time to allow the formalities to take place and for the coin toss. They are then free to prepare their team for the game.
Red Cards:
You should not rescind a red card. No one should try and persuade you to do otherwise. Should it be a case of wrong identity, this will be cleared up later by the authorities.
Alan Jones keeps the absolute definitive list, Please check that your entry is correct. We will do our best to ensure the list here is kept up-to-date!
If you are not on the list we have know way of knowing if you are a Level-1 umpire.