New Rules 2019-20
Posted by on 16 July 2019
The FIH published the new Rules of Outdoor Hockey in December 2018: http://www.fih.ch/media/13164482/fih-rules-of-hockey-2019-final.pdf. These took effect internationally from 1 January 2019, but National Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level. As communicated on 18th December 2018, (click here) England Hockey chose not to implement the changes during the 2018-19 season.
England Hockey can now confirm that it supports the implementation of all the rule changes with the exception of one. Therefore the following (major) changes will be implemented at all levels of the sport in England from the start of the 2019/20 season:
• Removal of Player with Goalkeeper Privileges (PwGKP)
• Amendments to Attacking Free Hits within the 23m
• Defensive Free Hits awarded within the defensive circle
• Amendment to ruling around Attackers entering the circle early at a Penalty Corner
England Hockey has, in recent years, striven to apply a consistent set of rules throughout all levels of the sport, however, the proposed change to 15-minute quarters has caused considerable concern. Since December England Hockey has been considering the full implications of the rule change including research on the impact on game length consultation with officiating bodies and discussions with other hockey governing bodies around the world.
England Hockey has also been liaising with the FIH to understand whether they were reconsidering the proposals in light of the number of countries opting to continue to play halves or opting to move to 17.5 minute quarters (without the clock stopping at Penalty Corners).
The Board of England Hockey met on 16 July and has agreed the following changes:
1. To apply 17.5 minute quarters (without the clock stopping at Penalty Corners) to the elite domestic club game specifically:
a. All Divisions of the England Hockey Leagues (the Investec Women’s Hockey League and Men’s England Hockey League);
b. Tier 1 of the Adult Club Championships.
2. For season 2019-20, to leave the rest of the club game played as halves, usually of 2x35 minutes (or shorter formats in the junior game as appropriate).
The implementation of quarters at lower levels will be considered over the course of the 2019/20 season, in light of the experience at the higher levels.
Support will be available for players, coaches, umpires and officials in learning these rule implementations through access to material on the Hockey Hub www.hockeyhub.englandhockey.co.uk
