The following questions came into the ASK THE UMPIRE feature on USAFieldHockey.com during the 2011
National Rules Briefing. They were submitted by players, coaches, umpires, and fans.
We have organized the questions into categories and placed some questions into multiple categories where it seemed
appropriate. This typically happened with questions concerning umpire conduct. For example, a question about what
an umpire should do during a penalty corner will appear in both the umpire conduct section and in the section about
penalty corners.
All questions were answered by Steve Horgan, technical umpire manager for USA Field Hockey and our nation’s
rules interpreter for the Rules of Hockey and the NCAA rule modifications.
Please note that these questions were asked and answered based on the rules governing play in NFHS, NCAA and
other games played in 2011.
Questions were edited for style and clarity.
To read other questions that have been asked and answered, or to submit additional questions, please submit them at
USAFieldHockey.com/AsktheUmpire.
Cristopher Maloney
Editor – Ask the Umpire
USA Field Hockey
EQUIPMENT: PLAYERS AND UMPIRES Question regarding “TK” and “OBO” type face mask on corners in high school. Due to the new rule with the required eye protection, if you switch on a corner to a face shield, they aren’t ASTM certified like the glasses. Therefore, you would be breaking the new rule and subjecting yourself to a potential lawsuit. Something this rule is supposed to help with. If you put the goggles around the neck, they aren’t properly being worn. If you put them over the mask, the same thing. To put the mask on over the goggles doesn’t work either. Seems like we have eye protection, but eliminated protecting the rest of the face on corner situations. The NFHS has made the decision to have each individual state association for high school sports decide on how they play to administer the rule. Please check with your local high school association for further information. A player in a NFHS game who just completed defending a penalty corner was wearing a facemask, removed it and tossed it behind the goal, then ran onto field to participate in play WITHOUT replacing goggles. How would you recommend that be handled by the umpire? Wearing eyewear protection is part of the rules so this would be an illegal equipment issue and should be handles according the rule. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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EQUIPMENT: PLAYERS AND UMPIRES (continued) Has there been any new guidance from NFHS on the goggles/mask interaction? Specifically in a penalty corner situation. The NFHS has told us that these decisions will be made at the state association level. Please check with your local authority. Are white pads (leg guards) legal for a keeper to wear? Only in NCAA games are white leg guards, kickers and hand protectors illegal. Will electronic communication between umpires be allowed this year in NCAA games? It was discussed at the NFHCA convention in January, but I never heard if it was adopted by NCAA. Umpires are free to use electronic devices at any level except the NFHS. Purchase of this equipment would be the responsibility of the umpires if they choose to use them. UMPIRE CONDUCT Will electronic communication between umpires be allowed this year in NCAA games? It was discussed at the NFHCA convention in January, but I never heard if it was adopted by NCAA. Umpires are free to use electronic devices at any level except the NFHS. Purchase of this equipment would be the responsibility of the umpires if they choose to use them. If there are no players in playing distance or around can a field player raise her stick above her shoulder to stop an aerial ball then. Is it still a yellow card? Are you now saying that anytime a player plays the ball with her stick above her shoulder an automatic yellow card is given to the player? Could you please address the break down in play for the placing of a stick in the air during an aerial ball. Scenarios for green cards, automatic yellows, corners, reds. If a player attempts to play but misses the ball above the shoulder it is not a foul unless dangerous to other players during the action. If a player tries to stop an aerial and his or her stick is basically horizontal to the ground, and he or she is trying to play the ball legally but happens to play the ball just above his or her shoulders, this is just a simple foul – like obstruction. If, however, the player reaches his or her stick up far above their head (the stick is basically perpendicular to the ground) and plays the ball, this – unless it is to stop a shot – is a blatant and intentional disregard for the rules and the misconduct is penalized with a yellow card. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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UMPIRE CONDUCT (continued) Has the rule therefore changed on aerials? The attacker raises the ball; it travels about 20 yards and it's about to drop between 2 players (one attacker & 1 defender); blow it whilst in the air; the free hit is for the defending team where the 2 players are? Should the free hit not be where the ball was raised from‐
the initial attacker?" This is no longer judged as danger by the player who lifted the ball but, rather, a 5 meter space violation by the player who didn’t vacate the area into which the ball is falling. Therefore, the free hit is taken within playing distance of where the ball was falling. On the penalty corner where the goalkeeper covers the ball and then presents the ball: Why is that a penalty corner and not just "play on" since the ball was presented and play could continue? Regardless of whether the play occurs during a penalty corner, and based solely on your description, the umpire could make either choice. Proper management of defense breaking early on corners: first offense, second offense, third offense. Throughout most levels there are no hard and fast rules regarding how an umpire manages misconduct in a game. In NFHS game, starting this year, the umpire must stop the clock when the defense enters the circle early on a penalty corner. At all levels, the umpire has the option of cautioning (verbal) or warning (card) a defender on the first violation. Generally, the umpires give a caution for an accidental break and a card for intentional or repeated breaks. Goalkeeper comes out of goal and is trying to play the ball and drops her glove – clearly unintentionally. I was umpiring and allowed play to continue. The opposing team scored. When the defense complained, I explained that we cannot allow goalkeepers to drop equipment and then complain when a goal is scored. MIGHT have been different had the situation presented clear danger. Was I correct? Yes. The PC rule says the ball must leave the circle before a goal can be scored. Why must we keep it a secret from players? Should we as umpires not be proactive with them and say something simple like, "not out"? Players have a responsibility to play by the rules and umpires have the responsibility to administer them accordingly. We do not express any decisions until a foul has occurred and we do not signal anything beforehand in any but dead ball situations. It is not proper to verbalize or indicate that the ball has or has not left the circle. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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UMPIRE CONDUCT (continued) Steve said the official should tell the attacker on a penalty stroke if he/she is not within playing distance, stick's length of the ball. How is that not "coaching"? If I am the opposing coach and have trained my players properly why would I want the official to "correct" the player. The official does not "correct" a player in other situations during the game. This gives the offensive team an advantage. The player is responsible for performing a legal stroke. Umpires have the responsibility to set standards throughout the game. Whether it be what is considered 5 meters or 7 yards or feet behind the line on a penalty corner or playing distance on a penalty stroke. A penalty stroke is called for something very important in a game; it should not be negated by a technicality. With a 16 yard hit out and with any free hit there is leeway from the spot where the hit should be taken. My question is if the opposite team is pressing and standing on the hash marks and they aren’t 5meters away from the ball, should we make the pressing player get back 5 meters from the ball or should we make the player taking the 16 bring it back to the actual 16 so that the pressing player is the correct distance? The ball must be placed within playing distance of the appropriate starting point. The umpire makes a decision with regard to where the proper starting position is and what is within playing distance of that point. The umpire judges whether the athletes are the appropriate ‘away distance’ from the starting position of the free hit. Could you please clarify the progression of enforcement for repeated 5m violations at both the high school and college levels? Some people are saying that you verbally caution first and then green card, others that you caution and then yellow card, and others that you caution and if it doesn't happen for 15 minutes, and then you go back to another verbal caution. Repeated violations implies that too many violations have occurred. Once an umpire pulls a card for a specific violation it is to indicate to ALL that this action is not acceptable. Umpires should not regress in carding or warnings once given. With regards to the penalty corner rule that states "a goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle" 13.3 j. When is the foul called? Several times this summer I have noticed the penalty corner being called off once the initial insert does not exit the circle. There is no rule at any level to designate a foul for the ball not leaving the circle on a penalty corner. The play shall continue but no goal or penalty stroke can be awarded. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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UMPIRE CONDUCT (continued) During a penalty corner situation as the trail umpire, can you give me procedures on how I should support the lead umpire when I clearly see a foul or fouls occur in the circle. I am a new umpire this year. I have coached field hockey for the past 33 years. The procedure is that you do NOTHING when play is in your partner’s circle unless that umpire looks to you for assistance or stops time and asks you for your assistance. When your partner looks at you he is asking, “I can’t see. Do you have anything for me?” If you do, show a signal but do NOT blow your whistle and, again, do not show a signal unless you and your partner are looking at each other. If you don’t, show your partner your ‘play on’ signal. Make sure you covered that in your pre‐game discussion. In no other cases should you take action when you see a foul or fouls in your partner’s circle. How would you recommend the NFHS umpire signal that the ball never left the circle on a PC when everyone sees the ball go in the cage but the umpire is signaling for either a 16‐yd hit or long corner? The signal would be either be to face the center of the field and extend both arms horizontally sideways (a ‘16’) or point one arm at the corner flag nearest where the ball crossed the back‐line (a ‘long corner’). There is no official secondary signal for ‘the ball never left the circle’ but if a player were to ask, the umpire would likely just say, “The ball never left the circle.” The umpire can point to the circle line indicating that the ball never went outside the line. Or give a back‐and‐forth motion with their hand. During a penalty corner, the ball does not leave the circle after insertion. During an extended period of time, the ball never leaves the circle then a goal is scored. How does an umpire determine or remember if the ball never left the circle? First, no goal was scored because the ball did not leave the circle. Part of the umpire’s job is to know whether the ball leaves the circle on a penalty corner and make their decision accordingly. My first question, the word 'intentionally' has been removed from the ball/body contact rule for some years but the Guidance to the Rule makes it clear that unintentional (involuntary) ball/body contact is not an offence. The 'gained benefit' exception to the Guidance, which used to make an unintentional contact an offence if a benefit was gained was removed from the Rules after 2006 ‐ a note was issued to reverse that in 2007 but there was no subsequent return of 'gains benefit' to the rulebook. So the simple question from a scenario made complicated by the way it is presented: Why does an accidental and even a forced foot contact in the circle by a defender invariably result in the award of a penalty corner? An accidental and even a forced foot foul in the circle leads to a penalty corner when the team whose foot contacted the ball gained an advantage—intentionally or unintentionally disadvantaging the other team. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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UMPIRE CONDUCT (continued) The second question is based on the reverse of the first as regards rule and Rule Guidance. The Obstruction Rule quite simply prohibits the shielding of the ball from an opponent who is within playing reach of the ball and attempting to play the ball. We at one time had a long and complicated description of what the tackler was obliged to do to overcome an obstruction (but practically nothing about the act of obstruction, which is what the Rule is supposed to be about) This description was known as the PIT Interpretation (Position Intent Timing). PIT was in the rulebook from 1993 until 2003, it was not included in the 2004 're‐write'. The last amendment to the obstruction rule guidance was in 2009, it relates to the imposing of the body of a player, who is in possession of the ball, between an opponent and the ball. Question. The current version of the Obstruction Rule seems to be completely ignored and an extreme version of the PIT Interpretation applied: why is that? Due to the speed of the game and the skill level of the players, the “window of opportunity” for obstruction is minimal. A player can move in any direction except backing into an opponent. The old school view of obstruction is now obsolete. There seems to be some confusion with the result of an infraction when a defender plays a ball within 5 yards of a self‐start. At what point should the ball be "bumped‐up" and how does this apply within the attacking 25 in regards to a penalty corner? Once the ball is in play, there is no opportunity to ‘bump up’ the free hit. That penalty, to progress the ball 10 meters up the field, is ONLY for times when a foul or misconduct occurs before the awarded penalty has been taken. When a defender intentionally fouls within the attacking 25 and outside the circle, a penalty corner is awarded. During the last World Cups it became clear that umpires had been instructed that an on target shot at could not be considered dangerous (one umpire was heard to inform a protesting player of this 'fact'). There is no rule to say that an on target shot cannot be dangerous. Players placing themselves in line of the goal do take certain inherent risks. But if a defender is playing legitimate defense and is within playing distance of the attack, a shot that may hit them low (below the knee) would not be dangerous, but one that strikes them above the knee would be. A ball that does not touch them in the body has to be assumed as a skill by the attack and played on. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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UMPIRE CONDUCT (continued) Top Level Men’s games with drag flicks and deflections. Player A drag flicks about towards left center of goal. Player B (attacker) deflects ball in air onto postman's upper body is it a stroke or dangerous play. Champions trophy the deflection was allowed as a shot on goal. In the four nations tournament in London it was disallowed. Both shots looked identical. Any feedback from FIH. You’ve referenced situations that can be legitimately ruled as either a penalty stroke or as dangerous play based on any number of variables presented to the umpire at the exact moment in time the deflection took place. We have no official feedback from the FIH on these specific situations. PENALTY CARDS If you receive a green card is there a time requirement to sit out. (college play) No. Not in NCAA games in the 2011 season. Specifically, who manages the 5 or 10 minute yellow card at each level. The suspension is timed by the ‘table’ in NFHS and NCAA games. Umpires are also expected to time suspensions but the player is ‘released’ by the table. If the umpire issues a red card to a coach for disrespectfully addressing the umpire about a call, does the opposing team get a penalty stroke in such an instance? Only in NFHS games is a penalty stroke included as a result for earning this type of red card. How should you address an aerial that was played intentionally above the shoulder by the defense inside the 25 that disrupted the intended play and run to goal? Is this a yellow and a PC? You’ve described an intentional foul inside the 25 (and we assume outside the circle) and so play must be restarted with a penalty corner. Further, the player demonstrated a blatant and intentional disregard for the rules and the misconduct is penalized with a yellow card. A yellow card expires during a penalty corner. Can a player enter the field behind the 50? Part II ‐ If it is a repeat corner, can they trade with a player in the corner defense. This is not a substitution so the actions you described are all legal. The player can enter the field on either side of the center‐line, from within the substitution area. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PENALTY CARDS (continued) Are you suggesting that a yellow card carries either a 5 or 10 minute penalty ‐ chosen by the umpire? In NFHS games, the yellow card can be for either 5 or 10 minutes and, yes, the time is chosen by the umpire. In all other games, the length of the yellow card suspension cannot be less than 5 minutes but is otherwise an amount of time chosen by the umpire. An initial physical foul in all games at all levels would begin with a yellow card and a 10 minute suspension or a red card depending on the severity of the misconduct. This too (yellow or red) is chosen by the umpire. In regards to giving cards or advancing the ball 10 meters when a defender does not provide 5 meters to the offense and their self start or hits the ball away, is the 10 meter advancement being weeded out? When do you give the 10 meter advancement and when do you give the card for a break down? Does this vary between age groups (U‐14, U‐19, College, National level, etc.) The 10 meter ‘bump up’ is being used less in today’s game but is still an option. The level of play does not matter in that decision. Any breakdown should be recognized as misconduct and dealt with accordingly. When will the Captain's card rule be introduced? I have umpired a game where the captain of the team was awarded a green card – a Captain's card – in order to bring everyone into order. It was a physical game where both sides started from the whistle with hard tackles, hard sticks and hard physical play. It was used to 'calm' the sides down, I believe. I thought it a particularly useful 'tool' for an umpire to give the captain the card and thus put all players on that team on notice. At all levels, the captain is responsible for his or her team’s conduct while the players are in the game. At all levels of the game, the captain has certain responsibilities and can be held accountable if the umpires deem it necessary. The captain’s card, as you call it, has always been part of the game. Please clarify intentional lifting in the field of play. Are we to call against the person lifting? I didn’t understand the explanation. A lift is called against the player who lifts the ball if, on the way up or along its flight, the ball is dangerous to an opponent. Once the ball is falling, the violation downfield is typically because an opponent was not at least or did not get at least 5 meters away from a receiver. Not all lifted ball violations are against the team who raised the ball. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PENALTY CARDS (continued) Could you please clarify the progression of enforcement for repeated 5m violations at both the high school and college levels? Some people are saying that you verbally caution first and then green card, others that you caution and then yellow card, and others that you caution and if it doesn't happen for 15 minutes, and then you go back to another verbal caution. Repeated violations implies that too many violations have occurred. Once an umpire pulls a card for a specific violation it is to indicate to ALL that this action is not acceptable. Umpires should not regress in carding or warnings once given. If in a high school game you award a 5 minute yellow card. The player then starts to argue and protest the card....can you bump the yellow up to a 10 minute penalty? The 5 minute yellow card suspension applies to the first misconduct situation you penalized; you are asking about a new misconduct situation. You can award another yellow card of a longer duration, 10 minutes, or a red card. If you decide that a 10 minute yellow card is in order for the second offense, the player in your story would sit for a 15 minute suspension. I'm confused now....what is the order of cards that can be given? Can the player get 2 yellow cards and then a red card? Is the red card still counting as out for the rest of the game and the following game???? There is not and never has there been a required order to carding because different levels of misconduct require different levels of cards. It is at the sole discretion of the umpire as to what cards will be given when. A player can receive two yellow cards for different offenses in a game. Should not receive the same color card for a repeated (already carded offense). PLAYER CONDUCT: SELF PASS On the self pass, what is the meaning of “two separate actions”? What distance are the players allowed to carry the ball before separation occurs? The rule states that 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. Inherent in a self pass is a separation between the ball and stick after the initial start of the play. This may be very minimal but is still a separation. There is no specific distance for this but if the umpire judges that the player taking the self pass just ran off with the ball and no indication of the free hit is apparent, then the umpire would call a foul based on the free hit rules. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: SELF PASS (continued) Why in the NFHS rule book Rule Section 2 Art. 4 under long hit does it say it is only legal to drive or push and under section 3 art. 9 self pass it says you can self pass ‐ I assume it is just a typo in this year’s rule book ‐ What is the proper rule? That is a typo in the book. A self pass is legal to start a long hit for all levels of the game. On a free hit by the attack 7 meters from the circle, a defender is 3 meters away when the free hit is taken. Defender moves back into the circle and does not influence the attacker. Assuming he has the time to make a tackle on the attacker, is he ok as the ball has travelled the required 5m before influencing the play. I appreciate that if he had followed the attacker it’s still illegal but in this scenario he has moved away from the ball thus giving the attacker 5m of space. In your description, the defender’s movement into the circle means that he was much further away from the place the free hit was taken, 7 meters outside the circle, than the required away distance. He may engage the attacker at any time and it has nothing to do with how far the attacker dribbled the ball. If an opponent runs parallel, within playing distance, to the player taking a self pass as their free hit, when is it legal for them to engage the hitter? In other words, the opponent never attempts to ""get back 7 Yards"", they just start running with the hitter. In NFHS games, the defender who has not moved 7 yards away from the start of the free hit can engage the attacker when the ball is 7 yards away from where the free hit was taken. But if at any time the umpire feels the defender is influencing play a penalty should be awarded. On defending self starts, earlier you said that the defender cannot 'channel' but can run parallel. It is accurate to say that it would depend on if the defenders stick is 'on the ground' and 'influencing' the play or if the stick is well above the ground? It is not accurate to say that. It is the sole judgment of the umpire as to whether or not the defender is influencing play. The stick may or may not be a part of that decision. With respect to the 5 meter away distance requirements on self passes. Once a defender fouls and is moving away, can the attacking player take the ball in the defender's direct line...in her path legally? The attacker is allowed to move in any direction. The defender must leave the path selected by the attacker. The attacker cannot charge into a defender who is legitimately trying to evade the situation. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: SELF PASS (continued) Regarding the self‐pass, is there a penalty when players "fake" the self‐start. If it works they keep going and if they get confronted, they pretend they were passing to their teammate. How do you control/manage that advantage? Players must be consistent in their actions just like umpires must be consistent in their decisions. So, if a player decides to start a self pass by a certain action, when they do the same action again the umpire would judge the same result. The player does not get to change their mind because they now get pressure from the opponent. There seems to be some confusion with the result of an infraction when a defender plays a ball within 5 yards of a self‐start. At what point should the ball be "bumped‐up" and how does this apply within the attacking 25 in regards to a penalty corner? Once the ball is in play, there is no opportunity to ‘bump up’ the free hit. That penalty, to progress the ball 10 meters up the field, is ONLY for times when a foul or misconduct occurs before the awarded penalty has been taken. When a defender intentionally fouls within the attacking 25 and outside the circle, a penalty corner is awarded. PLAYER CONDUCT: GOALKEEPER ACTIONS Goalkeeper wants to take a free hit. Can she scoop the ball to herself and use her boot to kick an aerial? We have seen this attempt in high school. Yes, subject to danger. What are the situations when a goalkeeper can punt? Whenever it is safe to do so and the action can be executed safely. A goalie may deflect an aerial (or any) ball in any direction; but if he/she intentionally deflects it over the end line, is the call a 16 yd. hit for the defense? NO, a ball that goes over the back‐line off the defense is a long corner. A goalkeeper can deflect the ball even intentionally over the backline. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: GOALKEEPER ACTIONS (continued) On the penalty corner where the goalkeeper covers the ball and then presents the ball: Why is that a penalty corner and not just "play on" since the ball was presented and play could continue? Regardless of whether the play occurs during a penalty corner, and based solely on your description, the umpire could make either choice. I may have heard incorrectly, but is the GK allowed to intentionally hit the ball over the back line? It is legal for a goalkeeper to intentionally DEFLECT the ball over the back‐line as the result of a goal saving action. It is illegal for the any and all defenders to intentionally PLAY the ball over the back‐line to keep it away from the attack. During a break away in a high school game would a 'stroke' be awarded if the goalie came out and made contact with the opposing player (slide tackle)? For all levels of hockey, only if the actions of the goalkeeper were intentionally physical against the attacker would a penalty stroke be awarded. Playing the ball before contact with the attacker does not relieve the goalkeeper of a possible penalty stroke. Play is in circle. Goalkeeper comes out of goal and is trying to play the ball and drops her glove – clearly unintentionally. I allowed play to continue and the opposing team scored. When the defense complained, I explained that we cannot allow goalkeepers to drop equipment and then complain when a goal is scored. MIGHT have been different had the situation presented clear danger. Was my call correct? Yes. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: AERIALS / BALL OFF THE GROUND How can you defend an opponent that is dribbling the ball in the air with the mindset of trying to jab or poke the ball. Is it possible to jab the ball in the air? A defender has the right to attempt to play the ball even if it is being air dribbled by an attacker. Poking or jabbing at the ball while in the air means that two opposing players are within playing distance and this is a dangerous situation created by the player who put the ball up into the air. [ED: Subsequent to the live broadcast the following question was submitted. We felt it should be included here.]
When a player is air dribbling, is she required to drop the ball when a defensive player approaches and gets within legal playing distance? The player who puts the ball up above his or her knees to play the ball is responsible for the safety of the play when opponents who are within or come within tackling distance of the ball. If the player who is air dribbling does not lower the ball to the ground before the opponent is within playing distance, the umpire should recognize this as a dangerous situation and award a free hit to the opponent.
When discussing the aerial ball and requiring the other player to remain 5m until the ball is controlled on the ground, if the other player keeps her distance but the ball is deflected toward the player instead of down to the ground, do we have danger? If the opposing player is 5 meter away, they have satisfied the distance requirement in the rule and no danger occurs. So if the attacker misplays the ball and it goes to the opponent it would be a play on situation. What is the best way to teach your players to do an Aerial Pass in the safest way? This is a coaching decision. From an umpiring perspective, the ball must be lifted in a manner that does not endanger an opponent. If the umpire calls an aerial ball while it is still in the air because she sees that it will not land in a clear/safe place (too many opposing players too close to each other) is the free hit given to the team who did NOT take the free hit? If there is no obvious player to receive the aerial ball, the team who put it up is responsible to give way (get 5 meters away from where the ball will land). Therefore a free hit should be awarded to the team who did not put the ball up at the spot where the foul (away distance violation) occurred, which is where the ball was going to land. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: AERIALS / BALL OFF THE GROUND (continued) Please clarify intentional lifting in the field of play. Are we to call against the person lifting? I didn’t understand the explanation. A lift (pushing/flicking/scooping the ball into the air) is called against the player who lifts the ball if, on the way up or along its flight, the ball is dangerous to an opponent. Once the ball is falling, the violation downfield is typically because an opponent was not at least or did not get at least 5 meters away from a receiver. Not all lifted ball violations are against the team who raised the ball. Intentionally hitting the ball into the air is illegal in all circumstances except for a shot on goal. PLAYER CONDUCT: PENALTY CORNER On a penalty corner, and the ball does not go outside the circle, and there is a direct shot on goal, and the goalie plays it, can the offense player take the rebound off the pads and score a goal? No. The ball must leave the circle before a goal can be scored during a penalty corner. Proper management of defense breaking early on corners: first offense, second offense, third offense. Throughout most levels there are no hard and fast rules regarding how an umpire manages misconduct in a game. In NFHS games, starting this year, the rules require the umpire to stop the clock when the defense enters the circle early on a penalty corner (Rule 10, Penalties, page 51). At all levels, the umpire has the option of cautioning (verbal) or warning (card) a defender on the first violation. Generally, the umpires give a caution for an accidental break and a card for intentional or repeated breaks. At the end of a game, when a penalty corner is called and the corner is allowed to play on after the time has run out (score dictating such), does the attacking team need to immediately send the ball outside the circle or can they move the ball inside the circle a bit and then take it out without this being construed as a foul. Thought I read that the whistle could be blown as soon as it is stopped in the circle in this unique circumstance. There is no requirement, at any level, that the ball ever has to leave the circle during a penalty corner. There is no foul. Umpires do NOT stop play. If the attack wants to score a goal, then they must take the ball outside of the circle – at some point – during the penalty corner. There is an error in the NFHS rule book stating that if the ball is stopped inside the circle and then brought outside the circle the penalty corner is over. This error will be corrected in subsequent printings. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: PENALTY CORNER (continued) Both high school and college games, on a penalty corner, the ball must completely leave the circle meaning it must be far enough outside the circle that it is no longer in contact with or above any part of the line and must reenter the circle before a goal may be scored. So the question, if the ball is still touching the circle on the way back in and on the shot does the goal count? The line is part of the circle, correct. Thanks Yes. The circle line is “in” the circle. This applies to all levels of play. Could you please explain the NFHS rule for defensive player repeatedly breaching the back line during a penalty corner. Any repeated violation of the penalty corner rules can result in misconduct. With regards to the penalty corner rule that states "a goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle" 13.3 j. When is the foul called? Several times this summer I have noticed the penalty corner being called off once the initial insert does not exit the circle. There is no rule at any level to designate a foul for the ball not leaving the circle on a penalty corner. The play shall continue but no goal or penalty stroke can be awarded. How would you recommend the NFHS umpire signal that the ball never left the circle on a PC when everyone sees the ball go in the cage but the umpire is signaling for either a 16‐yd hit or long corner? The signal would be either be to face the center of the field and extend both arms horizontally sideways (a ‘16’) or point one arm at the corner flag nearest where the ball crossed the back‐line (a ‘long corner’). There is no official secondary signal for ‘the ball never left the circle’ but if a player were to ask, the umpire would likely just say, “The ball never left the circle.” The umpire can point to the circle line indicating that the ball never went outside the line. Or give a back‐and‐forth motion with their hand. During a penalty corner, the ball does not leave the circle after insertion. During an extended period of time, the ball never leaves the circle then a goal is scored. How does an umpire determine or remember if the ball never left the circle? First, no goal was scored because the ball did not leave the circle. Part of the umpire’s job is to know whether the ball leaves the circle on a penalty corner and make their decision accordingly. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: VARIOUS Is forehand edge illegal? It is illegal to use either edge of the stick on the forehand side to hit the ball hard. What’s the difference between subbing a field player v. kicking back for the GK? Does clock stop for both. The clock is stopped only when a fully kitted goalkeeper is involved in a substitution. Kicking back for field player is done as a rolling substitution. In field play, the players stick has come above shoulder on a hit or a mishit and the defense is not within 5 meters. Do you allow to play on or call the high stick foul. I've had conflicting judgments from umpires so I would like to know the correct answer. There is no such thing as a ‘high stick foul’. Umpires are to judge a swing such as you described on whether there was danger on the play. In the situation you described, no opponent was within playing distance of the ball – in fact, the closest opponent was at least 5 meters away – so certainly the attacker didn’t play dangerously. Can you please just clarify the circumstances in which a team that is defending in its circle and gets a free hit because the attack fouled is allowed to restart play from any point within its circle (not necessarily where the foul occurred and brought straight up to the 16 yard line but anywhere inside the circle). An attacker fouls in the circle. Where does the opponent put the ball back into play? Only in NFHS games is the defense still allowed to restart play from anywhere inside the circle after the attack fouled inside the circle. In all levels of the game, if the defense brings the ball outside the circle to restart play, the restart must take place in line with where the foul occurred. Can a free hit still be advanced 10m if a player doesn't retreat from the free hit? Yes. 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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PLAYER CONDUCT: VARIOUS (continued) A raised shot that is going wide of goal at waist height, but not dangerous to any players. A defensive player reaches out with the stick and deflects the ball into goal off of another defensive player's foot. 1‐ What distance determines "danger" in this circumstance? There is no set distance that determines danger. 2‐ Should the attacking team be awarded a short corner? If the defense retains possession after the foot, yes, but as you describe the ball went into the goal. 3‐ Should the attacking team be awarded a goal? If the umpire is reading the game correctly a goal should be awarded to the attack. OVER TIME If a game is tied and goes into over time will a stroke off still be used? I heard there will be a 1v1 (offence vs goalie) starting from the 25. Is this true? This is not the case in NCAA games. In NFHS games a shoot out is an option for tie breaking and could be used as ties are broken as determined by local authorities (leagues, conferences, state associations). 2011NationalRulesBriefing–QuestionsandAnswers
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