Other rules changes include:
-
Rule 1-2-4e states that the broken line five yards from each striking circle from end line to end line is now referred to as the “broken line circle.”
-
Rule 1-4-3 clarifies that the winner of the pregame coin toss has the choice of the center pass or which goal to attack in the first half. The team that does not win shall have the remaining choice. Both possession and direction will then change at the beginning of the second half.
-
Rule 1-6-4 adds that, effective January 1, 2009, a player’s stick shall not exceed a bow of 25 mm, which must be visible and permanently labeled on the stick. It shall also not weigh more than 23 ounces and must pass through a two-inch ring.
-
Rule 6-1-3 notes that any goal scored when an ineligible player is on the field shall not count, and play will restart with a free hit at the center of the field.
-
Rule 6-1-4 was added to state that all goals will stand once the center pass has taken place.
-
Rule 8-1-7b was added and reads "the field player removed by the coach in order for the team to play short during the goalkeeper's five-minute suspension may properly substitute with another field player provided that the team plays short."
-
In Rule 8-1-Penalty7c, an exception was added that states, "A disqualified goalkeeper must be replaced by another goalkeeper. The coach shall decide which field player shall leave the game in order to fulfill the penalty of the offending team playing short. However, a designated field player may properly substitute with another field player provided that the team plays short." Also, the rule was amended to note that the game shall be restarted by awarding the appropriate penalty.
-
Rule 9-2-3 was changed to read that on a free hit, the ball shall be placed on the broken line circle nearest to where the foul occurred.
-
Rule 10-1-11 was added and states: “Do not stop any penalty corner when time expires if insertion has already taken place.”
-
A change to Rule 11-2-4 regarding the position of the goalkeeper’s feet prior to a penalty stroke, deleted the phrase, “or lose contact with goal line.”
-
Rule 12-1-2 Penalty now reads, “The head coach of the offending team shall remove one field player from the game for five minutes of elapsed playing time. The designated field player may properly substitute with another field player provided that the team plays short. The game will restart with a free hit unless a penalty stroke had already been awarded.”
-
The signal chart was also amended to add “Pushing.”
The committee also adopted five points of emphasis for the upcoming season. The identified topics include raised ball, raised stick, rough and dangerous play, body adornment, good sporting behavior and coaches’ professionalism.
According to the NFHS 2006-07 High School Athletics Participation Survey, 1,500 schools sponsor a competitive field hockey team with 63,881 girls participating and 405 boys participating.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 13, 2008) —
This press release was written by Jennifer Searcy, a spring semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department and a junior at Franklin (Indiana) College.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership
organization for high school sports and fine arts activities. Since
1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based
interscholastic sports and fine arts activities that help students
succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by
building awareness and support, improving the participation experience,
establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and
helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS
writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high
school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District
of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 18,500 high schools and 11
million participants in high school activity programs, including more
than 7 million in high school sports. As the recognized national
authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts
national meetings; sanctions interstate events; produces publications
for high school coaches, officials and athletic directors; sponsors
professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, spirit
coaches, speech and debate coaches and music adjudicators; and serves
as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and
activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org
MEDIA CONTACTS: Bruce Howard or John Gillis, 317-972-6900
National Federation of State High School Associations
PO Box 690, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
bhoward@nfhs.orgor jgillis@nfhs.org
# # #
