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Hockey, like many sports, is an ever-evolving game. There are regular reviews of the rules and the supporting regulations. The rules of hockey are decided by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and their team of experts – the FIH Hockey Rules Board (HRB). 

Dangerous Hits
Attention is drawn to the ‘low forehand’ hit.  This note provides an interpretation of this action in relation to dangerous play (Rule 9.7).

This is a relatively new technique where the ball is played with the edge of the stick (in a similar way to the ‘low backhand’) just above the hook on the forehand with the face of the stick upwards.

This action is considered to be dangerous.  This is because the ball must be hit very precisely at the correct spot, otherwise it is likely that the ball will be raised at high speed and in an uncontrolled manner.  Also, the direction of the ball from these hits is not predictable by opponents and in most cases not even by the player hitting the ball.  This action can be executed accidentally or can be disguised as a different action so opponents have little or no chance to react if the ball is raised.

This applies only to a (hard) hit of this type.  It is not considered dangerous to use the forehand edge of the stick in a controlled action such as the “jab” tackle, raising the ball in a controlled way over an opponent’s stick or goalkeeper who is lying on the ground or when “sweeping” the ball along the ground on the forehand.

This interpretation has been drawn up by the Hockey Rules Board.  A change to the Rules of Hockey to reinforce this interpretation is under consideration.

Outfield players using goalkeepers helmets
POSTED: 11/01/2006
In line with the spirit of the guidance issued by FIH concerning player's safety, and pending clarification from the FIH, England Hockey has taken legal advice and subsequently decided to permit field players to wear protective goalkeeper style helmets while standing on the goal-line defending penalty corners. This will apply to both outdoor and the indoor hockey games with immediate effect.

Jane Nockolds (NDM Officiating, Technical & Volunteers) reported “As the FIH is ultimately responsible for setting the rules regarding player's safety this decision is purely a temporary and interim measure pending an anticipated FIH announcement in March 2006. England Hockey is keen to do everything possible to enable players to suitably protect themselves.”

Detailed below are the exact guidelines issued to all clubs and local organisations / associations on 11th January 2006.

“When defending penalty corners, players on the goal line only may wear an appropriate protective helmet (which does not pose a risk of injury to other players). After the penalty corner has been taken the player must remove his helmet and place it behind the goal line before they may engage in normal playing activity. Should a player wearing a helmet actively seek to play the ball (other than to stop or deflect the ball while they are located on or near the goal line), a further penalty corner will be awarded. It should be noted that players that rush from the goal line to block an attacker's shot may not wear such a helmet.”

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