Change is necessary for improvement. Rules for the game of hockey have gone through an evolving process and matured over a period of time. But still there is always a room for improvement.
Spectators are entitled to enjoyment of watching a match for full 70 minutes with minimum of time wasted for various reasons. There should be minimum of disruptions to maintain the flow of the game. Also the safety of the players and umpires must be of prime concern to everyone. Therefore, a review of few rules is necessary.
Time Wasting
During the execution of Penalty Corners
It may be worth carrying out a study to find out, how much time is wasted while taking a penalty corner (PC). Once a PC is given, time is taken for the following activities:-
– Players defending the PC moving back on the goal line.
– Putting on of protective gear
– Discussing the defending strategy
– Lining up on the goal line
– Pusher pushing the ball prematurely for a dummy practice or to see the reaction of defending players.
– Defenders rushing out prematurely sometimes more than once or twice to study attackers reactions / strategy or due anxiety.
– Umpire warning the defaulter once or twice and showing him a green card.
An analytic study would show that a minimum of 60-90 seconds over and above the actual execution of the PC are wasted. Taking an average of 5 to 6 PCs per match it would amount to a wastage of 6 to 9 minutes.
In addition when a team is awarded a PC close to the end of a match; say about 2 minutes prior to the end of a match; the team deliberately wastes time in a manner that the final hooter goes off before the PC is executed. Because a PC has to be completed even if the hooter has gone, all 10 players of the attacking team converge on top of the ‘D’ putting the defending team to undue disadvantage.
May be the answer lies in stopping the watch during the execution of Pcs. The exact change could be worked out after due study over a period of time.
Disputing Umpire’s Decision
Disputing umpire’s decision by players, specially crucial decisions inside the ‘D’ is becoming a normal practice. At times an umpire is forced to consult the other umpire to confirm his decision. Pacifying the players also takes some time before the game is restarted. This time wasting needs to be taken note of.
In addition to verbal disagreement players sometimes also resort to pushing the umpire. Leave alone pushing even touching the umpire cannot be tolerated. Such an offence should straight away be punished with “red card”.
In addition certain other gimmicks are also enacted by the teams to waste time. All these need to be identified and curbed with an iron hand.
Dangerous Play
Drag Flick in a PC
A drag flicker in a PC has the liberty to drag flick the ball to any height but cannot flick the ball straight at the on rusher. Also the rusher cannot come directly in line with the drag flick. The on rusher running at full speed to intercept the ball and the drag flicker taking the flick with all his might to score is a dangerous combination. A drag flicker intentionally flicking the ball straight into the body of the on rusher with the intention of deliberately injuring him and putting him out of action cannot be ruled out. This can lead to a very serious injury to the on rusher. If such a thing has not happened till date, we may consider ourselves lucky. Although putting any curb on a drag flicker would take the charm away from the game but in the interest of players safety some rethink is necessary.
A rising hit
While taking a free hit specially in a set piece situation closer to the ‘D’ or during the course of the game if the ball rises more than a few inches, it is penalized by the umpire as dangerous play. This may happen a number of times during a match leading to unnecessary interruptions, thereby affecting the flow of the game. But the same rule of dangerous play is not applicable when taking a shot during a PC. In a PC the hitter is allowed a raised hit upto the height of the goal boards that are 18 inches high. If this hit upto the board height when players are rushing out is not considered dangerous then why should a slightly raised hit during a set piece or during the course of the game be blown for dangerous play. This rule needs a relook.