There have been no major rule changes this year as the International Rules board is now only making changes every second year. There is, however, a new interpretation for penalty corners and the scoring of a goal.

Scoring a Goal from a Penalty Corner
Up until now if the ball did not go outside the circle on a penalty corner the attacking team was penalised as soon as they had a shot on goal.  This is no longer the case. The main thing for an umpire to remember is that a goal cannot be scored on a PC until the ball has left the circle.

If the ball does not leave the circle and an attacker has a shot on goal the following applies:

Ø  If the ball goes into goal directly off an attacker it is a 16yd hit

Ø  If the ball goes into goal off a defender it is a long corner

Ø  If the ball hits a defender’s leg on the line it is not a stroke but a penalty corner

Umpires will therefore have to really concentrate and be certain that the ball has left the circle on a PC before a goal is scored.

The rest of these directions are as for 2007.

Minka Woolley (Tasmania’s International Umpire, appointed to officiate at the Beijing Olympics) has provided the following comment on this new interpretation:

A number of people have spoken to me regarding the new interpretation of the penalty corner and ball leaving the circle/shot on goal scenario.

Obviously things are going to be more involved now for both the engaged and non engaged umpire.  The following scenarios might be worth adding to your thoughts -

Ø   on a PC where the ball does not come out of the circle first but is struck by an attacker (hit/flick - it doesn’t matter) and hits a defender on the line above the knee, your decision should be a free to the defender because the ball would be deemed dangerous since it could not be considered a shot on goal.
Mmmmmm....... an interesting one. We are really going to have to get the message through to players and the crowd about this one because it won’t be that clear, especially if play goes on for a while.

Ø  on a high first hit on goal (in the same situation) the attacker cannot be penalised on anything except danger because it is technically still not a shot on goal. My thoughts are that perhaps the engaged umpire should call early - 'ball not out of circle' or something similar - so that players are well aware of the situation before it develops.

For more information please contact Janette Nielsen, Hockey Tasmania Director (Officiating) jnielsen@tassie.net.au