The experimental own goal rule was withdrawn on 1 September 2014 so (to paraphrase) an attacker has to have played the ball in the D for a goal to be awarded, it is not a goal if the ball is hit into the D and then ONLY touches a defender's stick or body.

Playing the ball above the shoulder is only permitted in national and international competitions (some confusion over the Summer when members saw this going unpunished On televised games) It remains an offence to play the ball above the shoulder in the competitions in which our club's teams participate.

Again, as seen at World Cup and Commonwealth Games on TV: 2 minute suspensions for green cards are only at national and international competitions. Greens should continue to be seen as a ‘warning’ at our level.

You may also be interested that England Hockey have recently revamped the ‘rules’ section of their website with all the rules, hotlinks and video examples – there is even an online exam you can do to test your knowledge! We’d encourage all players to get themselves on an umpiring course in order to put something back into the club but in the meantime, take a look at this

http://rules.englandhockey.co.uk/?

Stuart Emms
Chairman