HOCKEY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 12263, 26 May 1934, Page 9

HOCKEY

HOW TO ' CONTROL GAME. HINTS AND ADVICE FOR UMPIRES.

(By Colonel Bruce Turnbull.) (Continued from Last Week.)

i The following is a copy of a- communication. received from Colonel Bifiico Turnbull, a member of tho International liockey Boajrd and a recognised world-wide authority on tho game. The N.Z.H.A. has seen this communication and has given leave to publish it. It must be cleanly understood, however, that while the N.Z.H.A. approves of the publication of Colonel Turnbull’s hints to umpires, such approval docs not mean that tho N.Z.H.A. lias officially approved of Colonel .Turnbull's remarks. Tho “hints” must he rend only as tfie opinions of Colonel Turnbull and his remarks must not bo taken as official interpretations the N.Z.H.A.

.((•) Rule. 12.—Off-side: As T navo already said “off-side” is one of the most difficult broaches of the rules to judge, and an umpire should therefore always ho in .his correct position—-opposite- the third, defender As soon ,as you see that an attacker is a limit to hit, or pass, tho hia,\t; you must immediately look towards this third defender, and note his position in relation to the foremost attackers. It -should be remembered. ; that “no player can, in any circumstances, be off-side when in liis own half of the ground.’’ A player in an off-side position may run back into his own half to fetch the bali always provided, however, that .whilst he was in his ojf-sidc position. he had not sained any advantage. Irrespective of the position of tho ball, any player in an off-side position should be penalised if ho influences, in any way, the tactics of an opponent. For example—if a back feels that lie has to mark nn inside forward who is hanging about in an off-side position, it probably shows that the back has no confidence in the umpire. It is up to an umpire, therefore, to penalise any player who is breaking the rule and drawing an opponent, out of position. Sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) require careful attention, ft the ball glances oil a defender’s stick or person and goes to an attacker who in an off-side position, the latter i a off-side, just as if the ball had been passed to him direct. The term “definitely played” includes the legitimate use of the siick, hand or foot, to initiate intentionally a now phase or moveincut. If the goal-keeper stops a .shot: with his pads, hand, or stierc. you should be careful to note whether any attackers wore in an oilside position before the ball had definitely been played by the goalkeeper. If you decide that, from their off-side positions, they did so Affect tile goal-keeper’s play, they must he penalised. Generally speaking, they are nearly always off-side. Note that ‘‘if the ball rebound off a goal-post, or the crossbar, it shall be deemed to be a direct pass” (i.e., from the player who last definitely played the ball.) One last point: Remember that, if thorp are less than llirep defenders in front of the receiver of a pass, the receiver must be behind and not level with the passer if lie is to escape from being penalised. (d) Rule 13.—Free Hit: A free lilt inside the circle ma v now betaken live yards ill from a goal-post (not goal-line). This is not always understood by some players. Although the push stroke is now permitted, do not allow the striker to scoop, or flick, the ball into the air. It must he a definite ground shot. Make quite sure before a free hit i s taken, that the ball is absolutely motionless. After the striker has taken a free hit, see that he does not interfere with tho play in any way until some other player has had an opportunity of playing the ball. For example—if tho striker top s the ball and sends it only a yard or two, he must get out of playing distance at once anj not menace the next player. Near the circle, give tho striker a fair deaf. If necessary, pace out the live yartlu and do not allow him to play the ball until you have given him verbal permission to do so. (e) Rule 14,. —Roll-in,: The . bah must bo rolled-in properly and neither, jerked nor thrown. The hack of the hand should be towards the ground and the elbow nearly straight. The ball must be rolled into play at and over the point where it dossed the side-line. The roller-in must stand still whilst delivering the ball and tendency to take a step must he penalised. The hands, sticks and feet, of every player at the roll-in must be outside tho 7yds-line, or the side-line, as the case may be. Like the striker of, a free hit, the roller-in is not allowed to interfere with tho next player and any sncli interference must be penalised. Watch for interference by stick fencing and body turning by the players on the 7ycls.line, and also for off-side.

(f) Rule 15.—I3olund: If the ball, after towelling a defender who is insicle the 25 yards-! i.ne, goes oyer the goal-lino, it is n. corner, irrespective of where the hall was hit from. There arc comparatively few occasions on which g penalty corner should bo awarded under this rule, n„s ; it may. only hq awarded if the ball is intentionally sent behind by a ; defender, .even if. this be -at the corner flag. Thi s may seem odd* to some..players, but by sending, the ball intenti'OiYrlliy, -o-vor .the goal-lime so far i out, , the defender may by bis action, have, prevented an; attacker from,..centring.' the bail. Again, "or example, if the goal-keeper, in saving a :go.al, unintentionally sends the ball behind just outside a goalpost, you. may only award a. long corner. • -Pbe fact that the goalkeeper probably saved a goal must not influence you in youi decision.

TIIO only point that you hive to decide i$ whether : the . : - .goal-keeper!s action was intentional or unintentional'. If in doubt, you should decide in favour of tho detenders. (g) Rule, 16.—Corner: If any defender, who is within the circle limit, persists in running out before the corner hit is taken, you should award a penalty corner, after ono warning, under Rule 10 (k) • However, now that the word “may lias been inserted in sub-paragraph (b) of thig rule, umpires should make use of the advantage rule if opportunity offers. The attackers must make an honest attempt, to stop f the ball on the ground, hut it need not necessarily he absolutely motionless nor stopped inside the circle. If .the ball has been insufficiently stopped, any shot at goal must be penalised, unless,.of course tho ball had been touched on route by a defender. A flying hit. which misses the ball, must also he penalised, as it was obviously the stinker’s intention to make a phot at goal. If a player, in making an honest attempt to stop the hall, only purtijally stops it, he may be. allowed to make a shot at goal, provided the hall lias not rolled out of his control and does not necessitate any shifting of Ids own position to enable him to make the shot. It the hall does not roll, out, of his control, nr i K deflected, it must be either nroporly stopped by some other player, or touched by a dnfesder. In all cases. Rule 10 (<:) must bo complied with. Ho not allow the taker of the corner hit to protend to hit the ball and then Jilt, it before the defenders, who may have run out. are prepared and back in position again. See that the taker of the corner hit does not give “sticks” and that he is not off-side at any subsequent shot ®t goal. Tlie best position for you to take up is just outside the circle. on the side of the ground opposite where the corner hit is being taken from. This will enable yon. to see all the players including the taker of the corner hit.

(h).—-Rule 17- —Penalty Cornel - : It any defender persists in running out before the corner hit is taken, you should warn him once not to do so. If this has no effect, he should be suspended under Rule 10 (k). The remarks under Rule 16 a s regards the advantage rule are equally applicable to a penalty corner.

(i) Rule 18—Penalty Bully; ilanv umpires seem to be afraid of this rule, and most players arc inclined to regard the award' of a. penalty bully as a reflection on- their play. It is nothing of the sort; it i s just a more severe ponalv than a penalty corner. If any defender makes n 11 7 broach of Rule 70 inside the circle, even though it he an unintentional one, and, by his action, saves a certain goal, a penalty bully must be awarded. Tf the breach of Rule 10 was intentional with the object or preventing a goaf from being scored, a penalty bully must be awarded. For example—if the ball is just about to roll over the goal-line after a- shot at goal had been on] v partially stopped by the goal-keeper, and the latter unintentionally touches the moving ball with the hack of his stick and so prevents a goal from being scored, a penalty [bully must bo awarded, under sub-paragraph (a' (ii) of this rule. Again, if a defender charges into an attacker who is about to shoot at goal from a favourable position, the award of a penalty bullv would bo appropriateunder suh-paragrnph 6a) (i) of this rule. Although the “charge” may not have been intentional on the part of the defender ii; could hardly he described ns unintentional, as it is nil to every player to avoid making suoli a breach in such a dangerous position. “Sticks” made by

a goal-keeper in stopping a high shot into goal must also be similarly penalised. Some goal-keepers are inclined to fall on. or besid® the ball. Others are inclined, to obstruct Inrun n inn iji between an opponent tiud the ball, and also bv opening their legs to allow the ball to pass through when an opponent is within playing distance of the bail. Watch through when an opponent is within playing distance of tile ball. "Watch for these breaches of tlie rules. In most cases a penalty bully should be awarded. If the offender is the goalkeeper, lie is denied bis usual privileged, I'biijt maw iliisi pads (vide Rule 10) (hi. Before starting a penalty bully, ask the other umpire to come to the 25 yards-bne to control (by word of mouth only} the other players. Xo penalty is attached if any of these players encroaches, so it is advisable to get them into two group., well outside the 125 yards-limo, find make the position quite clear to them. The penalty bully, which is played .from a .spot syds. in front of goal. i s not completed until either a. goal lias been scored, or the ball has passed out of play as provided for in subparagraph (d) (iii) of this rule. A goal is scored rf tile ball passes wholly over me goal-line and between the goal-posts, even if the attacker has never touched the ballAmy breach by the attacker of Rule 10 or, after one warning, of Rule 9, terminates tlio penalty bully and the game ig re-started by an ordinary bully at the centre of the 25 yardsline. Any breach by the defender ot Rule 10 or, after one warning, or Rule 9, also terminates the penalty bully and a goal must b awarded to the attackers. Extra time must, 0 necessary, be allowed in which to complete a penalty bully.

(.i) R ule 19.—Umpires: The occasions on which the whistle may be blown should bo noted carefully by all umpires. For example—an umpire i,s forbidden to blow his whistle before a free hit is taken. The advantage rule i-g of the utmost importance. Learn to delay your decisions for a fraction of a second "ana you ..will .soon find that this rule often. operates automatically. if, however, you decide not- to blow your whistle, do not hark back to the original breach if the opposing team fair to take advantage of the opportunity tbits' offered to them. The game snould /bo allowed to go on. A breach of the rules may turn out

to be a.s good as, and °ften better than, a .frc-cv.-hit -to the.,,opposing team, so keep your whistle - silent. An umpire may often he judged by the skill,t» pr. otherwise,; .with, ..wtaipft lie put s this rule into operation. Under sub-paragraph (e) of thi s rule an umpire is authorised .to deduct time for accidents and other stoppages. This being so, you are quite justified in not blowing, your whistle for half-time and time until the ball is more or less in a neutral position. You should note that an umpire is now required to keep the score in writing. (k) Rule 20.—Accidents: To restart the game, choose a spot where yon think the ball was when the accident occurred. This is, of course, subject to Rule 0 (d), which lays clown that, inside the circle, the bully is to be played at a distance of not less than syds. from the goal-line. Bearing in mind the interest of the defenders, it is considered that, in the case of a bully inside the circle, Rule 0 (d) will be complied with if the bully is ordered to take place about six yards from the goal-line. This will enable the defenders to guard their goal properly.

One Final Word: If an umpire is ever in doubt on any question of fact, ho should always decide in favour of tho defenders.