The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced some changes to the Rules of Hockey. Details can be found on pages 5 - 7 of the 2015 FIH Rules Book.

These changes take effect at International level from 1st January 2015 and will be implemented in the Investec Women’s Hockey League (IWHL) and the Now Pensions Men’s Hockey League (NPMHL) upon the resumption of the outdoor season on 31st January 2015.

Beneath the IWHL and NPMHL, the changes will not be implemented in England mid season, with one exception - we will allow the use of the new style face masks at all levels of the game with immediate effect.

We are now seeking the views of the hockey community to determine whether there are any overwhelming reasons why we should apply to FIH to opt out of the introduction of any of the new Rules beneath the IWHL and NPMHL and, if so, at what levels and/or age groups.

We would therefore appreciate you completing the survey which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RulesConsultation2015

This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will close at 5pm on 23rd February 2015.

When the survey has closed, the feedback we have gathered will be analysed and then considered by the England Hockey Board at its meeting on 17th March 2015. We will confirm our decision on the adoption of the new Rules beneath the National Leagues by 31st March 2015.

The proposed rule changes are as follows;

Breaking at a penalty corner

CURRENT POSITION – a penalty stroke can be awarded for defenders persistently crossing the back-line before permitted during the taking of penalty corners.

NEW RULE – a penalty stroke can no longer be awarded. Instead, a defending player breaking early will be sent to the half way line, meaning that a retaken penalty corner will be defended by fewer defenders.

Two minute green card

CURRENT POSITION – the green card is used only as a warning to an offending player. The offending player is allowed to remain on the field of play.

NEW RULE – when an offending player is awarded a green card, he/she will be required to leave the field of play for a period of two minutes.

Use of the stick above the shoulder

CURRENT POSITION – a player cannot play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height (except that defenders are allowed to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height)

NEW RULE – players can play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height, provided that they do so in a controlled manner and in a way that does not create or lead to danger.

Free hits awarded within 5 metres of the edge of the circle

CURRENT POSITION – if a free hit is awarded within 5 metres of the edge of the circle, the free hit must be taken from the 5 metre dotted line.

NEW RULE – a free hit awarded within 5 metres of the edge of the circle can be taken from the point of the offence. The ball still has to travel at least 5 metres before it can be played into the circle, or alternatively has to be touched by another player of either team, other than the player taking the free hit.

Re-start after the ball has been unintentionally played over the back line by a defender (and no goal is scored)

CURRENT POSITION – when the ball is unintentionally played over the backline by a defender and no goal is scored, play is re-started by the attacking team with the ball on the mark 5 metres from the corner of the field on the side-line nearest to where the ball crossed the back-line.

NEW RULE – play will be re-started by the attacking team with the ball on the 23 metres line and in line with where it crossed the back-line