Central Government Departments

Frequently Asked Questions of Indian Hockey Federation

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1. What is the role of the Hockey Rules Board?

The Hockey Rules Board produces rules for both indoor and outdoor hockey (or field hockey as it is sometimes known) by:

i. specifying the current rules and working with others in the game to ensure they are interpreted and applied consistently and fairly at all levels of participation;

ii. providing advice to umpires and other technical officials about rules matters;

iii. developing the rules while retaining the game’s well known and appealing characteristics;

iv. aiming to make the game even safer and easier to understand for players and spectators;

v. conducting trials and promoting rules changes to achieve these objectives;

contributing to the development of the game as a whole including the development of equipment and variations in the format of the game.

2. Why is the Hockey Rules Board always changing the rules?

Please be assured that the Hockey Rules Board does not change rules for the sake of it! There are three main reasons for changes.

One reason is to keep up with technical advances. The development of synthetic playing surfaces, player fitness, stick manufacturing and coaching tactics has changed the game and it is important that the rules keep pace with such changes.

Another reason for change is to address safety issues. Everyone’s view of safety and liability has changed over the years. For example, thirty years ago goalkeepers did not wear helmets but today’s standards and personal expectations demand increased protection.

A third reason is to insure that hockey continues as a popular sport throughout the world. In today’s fast paced electronic age, the public, especially young children, are attracted by sports they see on television. The Olympic movement has recognised this and are now including more attractive and exciting sports in their programmes. Whether one likes this or not, it is very clear that, if a sport is to attract young players and indeed keep it’s place in the Olympics, it must be an attractive game to watch and to play. Hockey has considerable room for improvement in this area and the Hockey Rules Board together with the FIH is aware of this.

3. What are rules “trials"?

When the Hockey Rules Board considers a substantial rules change it will first encourage National Associations to trial the proposed change voluntarily in a recognised league or other series of matches and to report the results. If the results are favourable the Hockey Rules Board may then introduce a mandatory experiment.

4. What is a “mandatory experiment"?

A mandatory experiment is a proposed change that the Hockey Rules Board has included in the Rules of Hockey. Everyone must play by this rule until the Hockey Rules Board decides whether or not to make it an official rule. During the period of a mandatory experiment the Hockey Rules Board is therefore very keen to get feedback through National Associations.

5. Can I put forward ideas for a change of the rules and how?

Yes you can. The best way is to send your suggestion to your National Association and ask them to consider it and forward it to the Hockey Rules Board through the FIH. In this way the formal support of a National Association is associated with the proposal and they will also know how best to put the matter to the Hockey Rules Board. Alternatively, you can send your suggestion to the Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board or to one of the its members.

6. Where can I find out who the members of the Hockey Rules Board are?

You will find a list of Hockey Rules Board members in the “Rules and Regulations” section of the FIH website.

7. What is the hockey background of the Hockey Rules Board members?

There are currently 19 members including a Chairman, Secretary, and Rules Development Secretary.

All have played and/or umpired hockey. Indeed most of them are still very active with their current involvement in the game ranging from coaching at the top level to playing at veteran’s level! If you look at the Hockey Rules Board membership list on the website you will also see that the members come from all over the world.

The overall shared experience (with some members having taken part in the game in various ways at different times) is: 8 international players, 6 coaches, 9 international umpires, 9 senior Tournament Officials, 4 international team managers.

8. What rules are especially under discussion at the moment?

A major current focus of rules development is a trial of what has become known as the “3 up (or out) rule” whereby at least three players of each team must not enter their defending 23 metres area. The aim of this trial is to create more space in this area and therefore to create more flowing and attractive hockey in a key part of the pitch. Indications are that by being less crowded the area will also be safer. With support from the FIH Executive Board, it is planned that this trial will take place at three or four international tournaments within the next year or so.

Other rules currently under discussion are:

i. the penalty corner – which is part of the tradition of the game and can be very attractive but about which there are some concerns about safety;
ii. the idea of scoring “own goals” in hockey;

further metrication of pitch measurements – including the possibility of changing some dimensions including even the goal and/or circle size … but this would be a very long term proposition if it ever goes ahead at all!

9. Why do we have so many different interpretations?

Until recently there were various sources of information about interpretations of the rules and the Hockey Rules Board realised this could be confusing. So in November 2001 the FIH Executive Board agreed with a recommendation from the Hockey Rules Board that there should only be one set of interpretations and that the Hockey Rules Board had sole responsibility for producing these. No other FIH body or official could vary the rules or their interpretations. The Interpretations section of the 2002 rules was therefore revised and incorporates what had, for example, previously been in the FIH Umpires Briefing paper.

More widely, the Hockey Rules Board works with bodies within the FIH to avoid different sources of information about rules interpretations. However, the Hockey Rules Board is aware that National Associations sometimes introduce their own interpretations. The Hockey Rules Board discourages this – but if it does happen it hopes that National Associations will report on their actions so that consideration can be given to changing the relevant interpretation throughout hockey.

If there is a need to provide advice on a rule or its interpretation between annual Rules Book publications, the Hockey Rules Board Secretary deals with any such requests and consults a small Rules Reference Group established by the Board.

10. What is the use of a “briefing” for players and umpires?

International umpires may be briefed at major events by the Umpires Manager and / or the Tournament Director. This is to ensure consistency in the team of umpires. Similar advice is included in the Rules Book to reach a wider audience of players and umpires so that there is consistency within a National Association’s own domestic matches.

Many National Associations hold pre-season seminars to brief players and umpires about changes in the rules and interpretations and more generally to encourage a wide and consistent understanding of the rules.

All this activity is aiming to achieve a common understanding of the rules and their application.

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