Captains’ Responsibilities | How to Apply the Rules of Hockey | #RuleyTuesday Ep. 17

Keeping track of the various offences attackers can commit during penalty corners and what each of their remedies are is a bit of a challenge. Burrow down to the key points in this handy #RuleyTuesday episode so you won't be caught by surprise in your next game!

Transcript

Copping to confusion on the role of captains? This #RuleyTuesday will calm your concerns and create consensus. Let’s do this!

Hey friends! I’m Keely Dunn of FHumpires, and you are my Mariah Carey. We’re back with a hot take on one hockey rule, where we look at why captains have more important jobs than just picking between ball and side at the coin toss. 

Rule 3.4

We shall commence by considering Rule 3.4:

(d) Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team and for ensuring that substitutions of players on their team are carried out correctly.

A personal penalty is awarded if a captain does not exercise these responsibilities.

This clause breaks down the formal role of the captain into two pieces: general conduct, and substitutions––making sure they’re done correctly so that there’s always the right number of players on the pitch. 

Dissent and Other Misconduct

“Behaviour” as set out in rule 3.4 isn’t just about dissent, although that’s a good start. Unwanted shouting, continuing chatter, and even gestures can come from many players on the pitch at once and it can be difficult to pick out just one perpetrator. Good news: you don’t have to, as the captain is your conduit to the collective.

However, the captain can help with more than just appealing. If you notice instances of misconduct right on the edge of where you’re prepared to intervene with issues like physical play, as we are witnessing here, stopping time to consult alongside your colleague can have a calming effect on the proceedings. Finding a moment when play isn’t underway is also a great way to get your message across and give the captain an opportunity to prevent, so you don’t have to punish.

Substitutions and Too Many Players

The other main reason we’d hold captains responsible for their teams is when there’s been a substitution mistake.  The rationale behind carding a captain when a team plays with too many players on the pitch is that it’s a bit harsh to pin the problem on a player who’s been told to go on by their coach, or another who didn’t hear the call to come to the bench. You can’t card the coach (under the rules, your local regulations may vary in this regard), so the captain is the scapegoat. Also, remember that the card is the only remedy in outdoor hockey, while in indoor play is always restarted with a penalty corner for this kind of breach, and a card may be awarded for an accidental breach or must be awarded for a serious one. More on that in a future indoor #RuleyTuesday episode!

All clear on captain calls?  Communicate your convictions in the comments and crush that like button to convey your concurrence. Don’t forget our workshop entitled “Player-Proof Your PCs” coming up soon where you will learn to counteract any and all corner carryings-on. Fhu3t members will get a bonus PC decision-making flow-chart. Click over to fhumpires.com/workshops for more, and sign up for the third team at fhu3t.com.

Chau for now!

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