Share this
International Hockey Federation (FIH) has introduced a set of changes in rules of play keeping the safety of players in mind.
What are these new rules?
- The players who are defending a penalty corner are allowed to keep their protective gear on after the ball has left the striking area. Prior to this they were supposed to take the gear off immediately after the ball leaves striking area. Rule 4.2 has been changed to provide for the change.
- Under the same rule a new clause has been added which allows the palyers wearing protective gear to keep the ball in play to a distance of 23 meters from their goal post. After 23 meters they are not allowed to play the ball if they have protective gear on.
- A relaxation has been granted to the players when defending against the aerial balls. Earlier, intercepting an aerial ball was considered illegitimate.
Now the rule 9.10 has been changed to allow players to intercept a falling
ball. The rules have come into effect at the international level from January 1.
Reaction of players
The rule change has been welcomed by the players, officials, and coaches alike. They had been demanding such a change for years. The main reason they cited was that the players don’t get enough time to concentrate on the game but on removing protective gear. This might be detrimental for the game because penalty corners are high-pressure situations.
The referees will be required to keep a strict eye on aerial balls to come to a conclusion but the federation thinks such change will be positive to the development of the game. International Hockey Federation has left it to the National federations to decide for a date of implementation of the new rules based on their domestic season timetable.
In a game which has seen a resurgence of interest in certain countries like India. This is a welcome move to make the game more interesting and player friendly, while also ensuring that the players don’t lose focus on the game. The safety of the players cannot be compromised.