New rule query

[johntudor]

Can someone intelligent help me please (Macca, that stops you from answering) - I'm puzzled ;

In order to stop players hitting the ball 'indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously' into the circle from an attacking free hit, the new experimental ruling states;

"From a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23m area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5m or has been touched by a player of either team other than the player taking the free hit."

Surely this is a rule already, as the ball needs to be taken back to a point 5m from the area, so any ball hit into the d would have travelled 5m anyway.

Also, can somebody confirm, is the 'self-pass' free hit allowed anywhere on the pitch.
(Anybody who tells me I'm stupid and the new rules are perfectly understandable will get a nasty chinese burn next time I see them.)

Yours confusingly,

John.

[benscarrow]

In order to stop players hitting the ball 'indiscriminately and therefore potentially dangerously' into the circle from an attacking free hit, the new experimental ruling states;

"From a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23m area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5m or has been touched by a player of either team other than the player taking the free hit."

Surely this is a rule already, as the ball needs to be taken back to a point 5m from the area, so any ball hit into the d would have travelled 5m anyway.

The free hit could be inside the 23 (25 yard line) and be inside 5m from the D. If a foul was given just outside the D.

Also, can somebody confirm, is the 'self-pass' free hit allowed anywhere on the pitch.

In theory yes, however you must comply with all above points listed in rules on freehit. I believe the self hit rule is from free hits ie foul. A 16 and side line is an example of a ball returning to the field of play and therefore would not be able to be played to ones self.

Could be wrong but its a starting point!

[macca]

Side line hit can be played to your self also!

John, the comment that says the ball must travel at least 5m before going into the D does not mean that if you hit it from an free hit 10m away the first 5m of the ball travelling covers this. The 5m bit means a player inside the 23m area can take the hit to himself and must travel with the ball at least 5m before he can then smash it into the D. Or he must pass it to someone else before it can be hit in.

Hope this helps.

It become apparent when playing it - so get your ass up for summer league games and all will become clear(er)

Cheers.

[johntudor]

Macca,

As you say, it's more understandable when you actually play by the new rules - played my first game of summer hockey last week and now it all makes sense.

Still not sure whether you can play a 16 yd hit to yourself, though.

[macca]

Yep you can - definitely.

[mikewilliams220]

Hi Macca

All explained here. Even got picutures : o )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j63hYOlJBDE

cheers

Mike

[macca]

Good find Mike!

Cheers