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Hockey permits 'edge of stick' hits

Hockey players are now officially permitted to strike the ball with the edge of the rounded side of their sticks, under a mandatory experimental rule recently approved and effective immediately.

This and a number of other important rules recommendations, proposed by the Hockey Rules Board, were approved by the International Hockey Federation Executive Board in its meeting held last week (Thursday 11th March) in Brussels.

Mandatory Experiment: Stick edge a legal hitting surface: The new mandatory experiment will see Rule 4A - The Stick - amended to read: "The playing side (of the stick) is the whole of the flat face and the edges of the rounded side".

Playing the ball with the back edge of the stick has become more and more common in recent years, and has proven to be quite spectacular. However, the practice has not previously been accounted for in the Rules. This mandatory experiment will encourage the development of this striking skill, and help determine whether the method should be officially incorporated into the rules. The issue of safety will be closely monitored, and existing dangerous play rules will apply.

Penalty corner completion now a rule: The mandatory experiment allowing for the completion of awarded penalty corners at half and full time, after time has expired, has been made a rule.

Pending the agreement of the FIH Umpiring Committee, also approved was the proposal for trials in which both Umpires will be permitted to officiate the game anywhere on the pitch. Current practice dictates that having selected one end of the field of play, umpires do not normally make calls within the 25 yard line area, and particularly the striking circle, of the other umpire. If approved, a trial will take place during the men's and women's Champions Trophies, 10-20 June in Brisbane, Australia.

Also approved was the Rules Board recommendation that no further rules changes be made prior to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

In attendance for the first time at a Rules Advisory Panel meeting was a representative of the FIH athletes' panel. Pargat Singh of India, former Olympian and captain of the Indian team, was a valuable contributor to the discussions.