Hockey to get rid of its bullies

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 22

Hockey to get rid of its bullies

By

KEVIN TUTTY

A number of experimental rule changes designed to improve the flow and appeal of the game have been made by the Hockey Rules Board. It is not yet established whether the revolutionary changes, which also apply to women’s hockey, will be seen in New Zealand this season. The rules board has recommended September 1 as the introduction date — the start of the northern hemisphere season.

Abolition of the traditional bully and long-corner, and the hand stop at penaltycomers are the most significant changes. The others are also significant and in most instances the experimental rules are likely to meet with approval. Several seasons ago, the

bully was replaced on an experimental basis with a pass-back, as in soccer, but was not introduced permanently, even though it was an acceptable substitute for the bully. For years, the “sticks’ rule, which prohibits the stick being raised above the shoulder, has been a contentious issue. Umpires have ignored it in recent seasons as long as the arc of the stick has not created danger to other players. From September 1, the stick may be raised above shoulder level, but emphasis will be placed on danger to players in the course of the stroke. This brings the rule into line with the present interpretation by umpires.

Use of the hand to stop the

ball will not be permitted after September 1. except in the event of dangerous play. Goal-keepers will be exempted from the law. Effectively the rule will rid the game of specialist penalty-corner combinations and eliminate the many arguments that have arisen from inconsistent interpretations of the hand-stop at penalty-corners by umpires.

The ball will have to be trapped with the stick under the experimental rule, requiring some players to place more importance on their trapping skills than

perhaps they have done in the past.

This rule will not be introduced until next year, however — from September 1, 1982 — because several major tournaments are scheduled in 1981 and 1982, including the fifth men’s World Cup.

‘ The European teams which rely heavily on their powerful penalty-corner combinations will be able to use them at the World Cup in Bombay from December 29 to January 12. Delaying the introduction of the rule a year will help those teams

immensely, and one cannot help feel the rules board took this into account when it recommended the introduction date.

As long as it is not lifted dangerously, the ball can be raised from a free hit or push from September 1, and the requirement for players of the team taking a free hit to be 5m from the ball, will be withdrawn, except when free hits are within 5m of the circle.

When the ball passes out of play over the side-line, it may be hit back into play under the experimental rules. At present the ball must be pushed, but this has tended to create congestion and untidy play. Allowing a hit will relieve congestion, but the danger of the rule is

that some teams will foresake skilful halves with burly individuals whose purpose will be to belt the ball out of sight. The long-corner will be abolished. When the ball is put over the goal-line by a defender, a free hit will be taken from the goal-line by the attacking team. The requirement fqr the defenders to retire behind the goal and half-way lines will be withdrawn.

Unlike the rule involving the hand-stop at penalty-cor-ners, this rule will be introduced on September 1 this year. It will be in operation at the World Cup thus .preventing teams which -also have specialist long-corner combinations from using them.