HOCKEY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12905, 4 July 1936, Page 11

HOCKEY

HOCKEY RULES

DEFINED TN BOOKLET

The issue of a booklet by the International. Hockey Board containing rules, notes, and suggestions to- umpires fulfils a long'-felt want. Issued officially for the guida'i>t of umpires and players the- hock gives an ontbori tative opinion on matters which in the past have proved contentions. The following suggestions to umpires,.' contained in the publication,, a’ e of particular intenst.

/‘Efficient umpiring will do much to raise the whole standard of the game by training players, to observe the rules. Efficiency dors, not, however, depend on penalising every hi'each. Subject to- two considerations, namely: (1) ah umpire must obtain and re ta’n complete control of the game; (2) he must never,.allow an advantage to bp, gained by any Broach of », .the rules—the whistle -should he used as -sparingly as. possible. To attain this object, it is- necessary to make the fullest possible n-se of the advantage rule. In certain circumstances, the decision; must he delayed long enough to allow this.rule to operate. But a decision, when made should b:- given decisively and loudly. Once the ucl-va-nagCi rule has been put into operation the original Ir cach must he considered as not having occurred.

.‘‘lt is most important for an umpire to lie in a correct position to see any benches of the rules and, in particular, . to determine accurately Whether a player is on,side or offside. Probably, the best position for him to take up is level with the third defender. An umpire must-, therefore, b:- constantly on the move as an attacking movement develops, and train himself not only to he In the correct position, hut also to judge instantly the relative-' positions of the various players at the material time. An attacker can be'off-side when exactly in line with the striker, or the third defender, and it . is, obviously impossible- for an umpire who .remams stationary to give correct off-side decisions.

“It. is a mistaken idea that it- is the duty of the umpire to penalise every breach of the- rules, as. til's causes undue delay arid irritation. For example the .sticks rule was framed mainly to prevent danger to players, and it was never the intention that an umpire should, on every occasion, penaliy-e the raising of the stick above the shoulder, lathis case an ump-Vo -should usq his discretion where there is.no danger to- any other player. On the, other hand, umpires must, chock the persistent offender, because, .lie is a- 'potential cause of clanger. In such, cases a word of caution to the offender, is frequently effective.

“Other examples of minor breaches of the rules, which it is n-o-t ncee.-snry for an umpire to penalise when no advantage results to the offender are: Slight handball, rebound or knock-on with no opponent within some yards of the ofionclor; .the catching of a hard, hit in the air, where the- ball is not dropped absolutely pc pcndic-u----larly. to the ground. “The awardable - penalties, being limited to a free hit. lr.ll-n, penalty corner, or penalty bully, have greater significance if umpires restrict their use to breaches of the rules which materially affect the game. An efficient umpire, however, is not one who.is over-lenient, and rough or dangerous play-.or obstruction must, in the interests- of the players -and the game .itself, be severely dealt with. In general, players .-should be given the impression that- if they try to co-operate, an umpire will interrupt the pla.v only when this is es-sent’-al for th:- conduct of the gar-e.” INJURED PLAYERS A letter 1 wait? received by the N.Z. Hockey Association at its spec al meeting- in ■Chri*tclmreh recently .from the Canterbury Hockey. At-soeiation -alsking lipi- a, ruling, as to the. replacement of Injured players. It- was decided that a-t the- rql-to make- no provision for .replacement, . a.ssocia r . Writs be recommended., to allow the players .who- are..genuinely injured to be.replaced up to the interval. Since the- meeting a; notice of motion. was handed in to the association to have tiie resolution rescinded.