New free hit (self-pass) rules mandatory from 1 September 09! Please read and digest!!!
A lot has been said about the new rule of the self-pass and some players and officials are still a little confused. The new rules will become mandatory in Wales in all levels of hockey from 1st September 2009. There will however be a meeting in your Region where they will be discussed before the start of the league seasons but here is a very brief overview of them, with an interpretation where necessary shown in italics.
Any questions then, please fire into Colin Crayford. There will be a WHUA-WHU Seminar on new rules at the EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham on 1 August. Details to follow very soon.
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. To allow it to be taken backwards and outside the 23m area will change the action for taking the free hit i.e. all players being 5m, the ball being played directly into the circle etc. and the attacking team may obtain a great advantage.
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:
a) the ball must be stationary
b) 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. If a player who is within 5m attempts to gain an advantage then they must be penalised.
c) the ball is moved using a push or hit
d) the ball must not be raised intentionally directly from the free hit – it can be raised on the second hit but remember it must not be raised dangerously
e) 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 – this is the self pass
f) 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 as in a self pass
g) 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
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. - This applies to sideball hits, long corners etc. The ball must always travel at least 5m outside of the circle before it can be injected (hit) into the circle unless it is touch by a player of either side but remember all players must initially be 5m from the ball when initially played. There is still debate on lifting the ball on the second touch across the circle
i) a free hit awarded within 5m of the circle must be taken at the nearest point 5m from the circle – on the dotted line.
