HKHAMS 17-18 Circular No. 6 - New Rules and Clarifications/Reminders of existing rules for 2017-18

Dear All,

Trust you are all ready for the debut of the new Winter League from this Sunday (Sep 10).

Men’s Section would like to draw your attention to the following new rules that will be implemented in the 2017-18 season and clarifications/reminders of existing rules.

1. Above the shoulder (Overheads) rule  

• The Rules of Hockey 9.7 “states players may stop, receive and deflect or play the ball in a controlled manner in any part of the field when the ball is at any height including above the shoulder unless this is dangerous or leads to danger."  
• HKHAUS introduced this rule to the Premier Division in the 2015/16 season.
• After considering the danger aspect, skill level required and international trend, the HKHA Council resolved that Rule 9.7 will ONLY be implemented in matches by men's and women's teams in the Premier Division and Division One.  
• All the other teams at Division Two or lower, Youth and Mini shall continue to observe the rule that players must NOT play the ball when the ball is at a height above the shoulder UNLESS a player who is defending a shot on goal, can make a save by deflecting the ball away at any height without causing danger.

2. Amendment on “tap-and-go” & “timeout” scenarios for free hits within 5m of the circle

• At an attacking Free Hit within the 23 metres area, the ball now cannot be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres or been touched by a defending player i.e. the possibility for the attacker to just touch the free hit for a team mate to run on to and play the ball into the circle is removed.
• There is one additional piece of guidance added that following a time stoppage after the award of an attacking free hit inside the 23 metres area, upon the re-start all players other than the player taking the free hit must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

3. Objects on the field

• Rules of Hockey 9.16 states that “… Following a penalty corner, if the ball hits any discarded equipment, such as a hand protector, knee pads or a face mask,

i.      a free hit should be awarded if this occurs outside the circle, and

ii.      a penalty corner awarded if this occurs inside the circle.

4. Reminder on Two minutes injury break

• This rule has already been applied to Premier Division AND Division One Games
• During a match, if any person from the team bench / or the on-duty Medical personnel enters the field of play to attend a player OR if a player needed “assistance” from anyone outside the field of play (Manager, Doctor, Physio, Team Mates, etc), then:

i.      that player must leave the field of play and return to the team bench area for a minimum of two minutes of playing time;

ii.      the two minutes period will be managed by the MO on duty;

iii.      the player required to leave the field of play may be substituted. (NOT during PC)

5. Reminder on Two Minute Green Card

• In case of no “Technical Table” or MO is available (D1 to D5 matches), the umpire can stop time to issue a green card and record time and player’s number
• After 2 minutes of playing time, the carded player is called back on.

i.      Player MUST wait for the umpire’s signal before they can return to the field

• Carded player MUST NOT be returned during a PC.
• In case of Goalkeepers, return MUST be done at break of play with the clock stop

6. Reminder on “One Person” Rule

• During a match, in order to avoid potential “surrounding” of umpires, they are now being asked use the “One Person” signal to indicate to approaching players that only ONE player will be allowed to approach in a “calm & respectful” manner.
• If ignored, umpires are asked to issue an immediate GREEN CARD to the “2nd Player” approaching.
• If anymore player(s) ignored after the initial green card has been issued above, umpires are to stop time and issue a YELLOW CARD to the captain of the team.
• This Rule is applied to ALL DIVISIONS.

Regards,

Richard Mak

Hon. Secretary

HKHAMS