FIELD HOCKEY OFFICIALS
In field hockey, officials are crucial for maintaining the flow of the game and ensuring fair play. The primary officials in field hockey include:
- Umpires
– Role: Umpires are the on-field officials responsible for enforcing the rules of the game during play.
– Responsibilities:
– Monitor player conduct, enforce fouls, and award free hits, penalty corners, and penalty strokes.
– Make decisions on goals, offside, and other game-related situations.
– The game is usually officiated by two umpires, one positioned at each end of the field (one on each side of the field).
– Umpires communicate with each other to ensure that decisions are made accurately and fairly.
- Referee
– Role: In field hockey, the term referee is typically used interchangeably with umpire, but in some cases, a chief referee may be appointed for higher-level tournaments to oversee the overall functioning of officiating.
– Responsibilities: Ensures that the rules are enforced across the game, and may help resolve disputes between the two on-field umpires.
- Technical Official
– Role: A technical official supervises and oversees the administrative and technical aspects of the game.
– Responsibilities:
– Coordinates the overall schedule, team registrations, and adherence to the competition rules.
– Technical officials often monitor the equipment used in the match and ensure that the game adheres to safety standards and competition regulations.
- Video Umpire (Video Assistant Referee – VAR)
– Role: The video umpire assists in making decisions by reviewing video footage from cameras located around the pitch.
– Responsibilities:
– Used in major tournaments and competitions to review contentious decisions like goals, penalty corners, and penalty strokes.
– The video umpire may provide recommendations to the on-field umpires based on the video evidence.
– A video umpire helps to ensure that critical decisions are accurate and fair.
- Timekeeper
– Role: The timekeeper is responsible for keeping track of the game’s time, including the start and end of each period, as well as any stoppages or injury time.
– Responsibilities:
– Starts and stops the game clock as needed.
– Records time for penalty corners, time-outs, and any other game-related stoppages.
- Judge (for specific situations)
– Role: A judge might be appointed in specific scenarios to help with reviewing certain situations, such as for goals or penalty strokes.
– Responsibilities:
– The judge might only be present in top-level tournaments and be responsible for specific aspects of decision-making.
- Match Commissioner
– Role: A match commissioner is responsible for the overall conduct and integrity of the game.
– Responsibilities:
– Oversees the organization of the match, ensuring that all teams and officials comply with the competition’s rules and regulations.
– Works closely with both teams and officials to resolve any off-field issues.
– May also be in charge of disciplinary measures and ensuring that safety standards are met.
Key Responsibilities of Officials:
– Enforcing the rules of the game to ensure fairness.
– Ensuring player safety and addressing dangerous play.
– Managing disciplinary actions, including issuing cards (green, yellow, red) for misconduct.
– Making critical decisions like awarding penalty corners, penalty strokes, and goals.
In major tournaments such as the Olympics or World Cup, officials undergo rigorous training and are selected from a pool of experienced and highly qualified referees and umpires. Their performance is often reviewed, and they must pass tests to continue officiating at the top levels.
Field hockey is played with specific rules to ensure fair play and safety. Here’s an overview of the key rules of field hockey:
- The Field
– Dimensions: The standard field is 91.4 meters long and 55 meters wide. The goal is 3.66 meters wide and 2.14 meters tall.
– D: The shooting circle (also called the “D”) is a semi-circular area with a radius of 14.63 meters from the goal line.
- The Game
– Duration: A standard match consists of 4 quarters of 15 minutes each. In some cases, games may have extra time if there is a draw after the regular time (such as in knockout rounds).
– Half-Time: A break of 5-10 minutes occurs between the second and third quarters.
- The Ball
– A field hockey ball is typically made of plastic and weighs between 156 to 163 grams, with a circumference of 224 to 235 mm.
- The Teams
– Each team consists of 11 players: 10 field players (including defenders and midfielders) and 1 goalkeeper.
– Teams are allowed to make substitutions during the game, but there are limits based on competition rules.
- Scoring
– A goal is scored when the ball is hit into the opponent’s goal within the shooting circle, either through a field play or a penalty corner/penalty stroke.
– Field goals are scored from open play inside the attacking team’s shooting circle.
– A penalty corner or penalty stroke can also result in a goal, following specific procedures.
- The Basic Play
– Dribbling: Players can dribble the ball using the flat side of the stick.
– Passing: The ball can be passed to a teammate using either the forehand or backhand side of the stick.
– Shooting: A shot on goal must be taken from within the shooting circle.
- The Rules of Play
– No High Balls: The ball must not be played dangerously or lifted into the air in a manner that could cause injury (i.e., high-ball rule).
– No Sticks Above Shoulder Height: Players must not raise their sticks above shoulder height during regular play.
– Tackling: Players must not use their sticks to block or interfere with an opponent’s stick or body in a dangerous manner. Body contact is generally not allowed, although shoulder-to-shoulder contact is permitted in some cases.
- Offense and Defense
– Obstruction: A player cannot shield the ball from an opponent by using their body (obstruction rule).
– Free Hit: When a player commits an infraction (like a foul), the opposing team is awarded a free hit from the spot where the foul occurred.
– Penalty Corners: A penalty corner is awarded when certain fouls are committed inside the defending team’s shooting circle (e.g., a defensive player intentionally obstructing or hitting the ball with their body or stick).
- Cards
– Green Card: A warning for a minor offense (usually results in a 2-minute suspension).
– Yellow Card: A temporary suspension of 5 minutes for more serious offenses.
– Red Card: A permanent suspension from the game for severe offenses, and the player is not allowed to return.
- Penalty Corner
– A penalty corner is awarded when a defender commits an offense inside the circle or on the goal line. It is a set play that involves one attacker (usually a drag flicker or a striker) and the defending team setting up in a specific formation to defend the shot on goal.
Procedure:
– The ball is inserted by a player from the attacking team at the baseline into the shooting circle.
– The defending team forms a defensive setup, but only one goalkeeper is allowed in the circle, along with up to 4 other players positioned along the baseline.
– The attacker attempts to score by shooting or passing the ball into the goal.
- Penalty Stroke
– A penalty stroke is awarded when a defender intentionally fouls within the shooting circle to prevent a goal, or a defender deliberately plays the ball with their body or stick in a way that obstructs the attacking team’s scoring opportunity.
Procedure:
– The attacking player has a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper from the penalty spot (6.4 meters away) and has to score without any obstruction.
- The Umpires’ Role
– Umpires are responsible for enforcing the rules, ensuring player safety, and making crucial decisions regarding fouls and penalties.
– Two umpires typically oversee the game, one at each end of the field.
- Common Fouls
– Stick Fouls: A player is penalized for playing the ball with the wrong side of the stick, or using the stick to hit or obstruct an opponent.
– Foot Fouls: A player cannot use their foot to stop or control the ball.
– Charging: A player must not collide forcefully with an opponent.
– Dangerous Play: Players cannot use their sticks in a way that poses a risk of injury (e.g., swinging a stick high in the air or hitting an opponent with the stick).
- Umpires and Technology
– In high-level competitions, technology like video referral or video umpire assistance may be used to review contentious decisions, such as goals etc
Scoring a goal in field hockey involves several specific rules and criteria that must be followed for the goal to be valid. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process, requirements, and conditions for scoring a goal in field hockey:
- Definition of a Goal
A goal is scored when the ball is played completely over the goal line (between the goalposts) inside the defending team’s goal area, without any infringement of the rules. The ball must pass between the two goalposts and under the crossbar of the goal to count as a valid goal.
- The Playing Area: The Shooting Circle
– The shooting circle (also called the “D”) is a semi-circular area that extends 14.63 meters from the goal line. It is within this area that a field goal can be scored.
– Only players within the shooting circle are allowed to score goals. This means the ball must either be played into or shot from within this circle by the attacking team.
– If a field player is outside the circle and attempts to score directly, the goal will not count, and the defending team is awarded a free hit or another relevant penalty.
- Types of Goals
Field Goal
A field goal is scored from open play. This means that the ball is played into the goal without the aid of any special set-piece (like a penalty corner or penalty stroke).
– How It’s Scored: The ball must be played by a field player (not the goalkeeper) inside the shooting circle and must cross the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
– The attacking player can use any part of the stick, but it is important that the ball is not played dangerously (e.g., no high balls or raised sticks above shoulder height). A field goal can be scored from a variety of situations, such as:
– A direct shot on goal
– A deflection off the stick of a player
– A pass or a cross into the shooting circle that is then shot into the goal
Penalty Corner Goal
A penalty corner is awarded when a defender commits a foul inside their shooting circle (for example, playing the ball with their body, or committing a foul to prevent a goal). A penalty corner allows the attacking team to take a specialized set play from the backline.
– Procedure:
– The ball is inserted from the backline by a player, usually a drag flicker or a specialist insert player, and it is played into the shooting circle.
– Once inside the circle, players from the attacking team can take a shot at the goal.
– The ball must be inside the shooting circle when the shot is taken, and the goalkeeper must attempt to stop it.
– A goal is scored if the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar, similar to a field goal.
Penalty Stroke Goal
A penalty stroke is awarded for serious offenses committed by the defending team inside their shooting circle (for example, when a defender deliberately uses their body or stick to block a goal-scoring opportunity).
– Procedure:
– The attacker gets a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper from the penalty spot, which is 6.4 meters from the goal line.
– The ball is placed on the penalty spot, and the attacker has one attempt to score by shooting at the goal, with only the goalkeeper defending.
– A goal is scored if the ball crosses the goal line into the goal without being intercepted by the goalkeeper.
– There is no interference from other players; it’s a direct chance to score.
- Important Rules and Conditions for Scoring a Goal
Goalkeeper’s Role
– The goalkeeper is allowed to use any part of their body or equipment to stop the ball, but they must not deliberately use their body to obstruct or prevent a shot unfairly.
– If the goalkeeper is outside the goal area (the “D”), they are considered a field player and must follow the same rules as other players.
No Dangerous Play
– Goals cannot be scored from dangerous play, which includes:
– Playing the ball above shoulder height (unless it is a controlled, skillful play such as a pass or a flick).
– Raising the stick in a manner that could pose a risk of injury to an opponent (such as swinging the stick aggressively or hitting an opponent).
– Using the foot to control or stop the ball is considered a foul. If the ball hits the foot of a player, play is stopped, and the defending team is awarded a free hit or penalty, depending on where the foul occurred.
Touching the Ball with the Body
– A field goal or penalty corner goal will not count if it is deflected or played by a player’s body. If an attacking player uses their body to control or play the ball in the shooting circle, the goal is disallowed.
– Exceptions: The ball may touch the body of the attacking player accidentally, but a deliberate or intentional use of the body will result in a free hit for the defending team.
Obstruction and Passing
– The attacking player must not obstruct a defender by using their body to shield the ball in a way that prevents the defender from making a play. If this happens, a free hit is awarded to the defending team.
The Role of Umpires and Technology
– The umpires are responsible for confirming that the ball has crossed the goal line, whether a goal has been scored legitimately, and ensuring that no fouls occurred in the process of scoring.
– In some high-level competitions, technology (like video umpire referrals) may be used to review goals, especially in close calls or controversial situations (e.g., whether the ball crossed the line, or if a foul occurred before the goal).
- Scoring from Open Play vs. Set Pieces
– Open play goals (field goals) are typically harder to score and are a result of intricate team play, dribbling, passing, and timing.
– Set-piece goals (penalty corners and penalty strokes) provide structured opportunities, but require precision and skill to convert into goals.
- Valid Goal Conditions
For a goal to be valid:
- The ball must be entirely inside the goal line between the two goalposts and under the crossbar.
- The ball must not have been played illegally (e.g., using the foot or high ball).
- The shot must come from inside the attacking team’s shooting circle, except for a penalty stroke where the ball is placed at the penalty spot.
- There must not be any infringement, such as obstruction or dangerous play, during the attempt.
- After a Goal
– Once a goal is scored, the play is restarted with a center pass from the center spot. The team that conceded the goal must retreat to their own half of the field, and the team that scored gets possession of the ball.
Conclusion
In field hockey, scoring a goal requires precise technique, good positioning, and adherence to the rules. Whether it’s from open play (field goal), a penalty corner, or a penalty stroke, the goal must meet specific conditions for it to be valid. Umpires and, in some cases, technology, ensure that the rules are followed and the game is played fairly.
