For field hockey umpires, by field hockey umpires
Martin Madden’s movement here is a great example of how there isn’t necessarily one “correct” place to be vis-a-vis the play. When the ball gets bogged down in a crowded area, he moves quickly to a …
Continue Reading about ESPvBEL Far side positioning adjustments →
For a goal to be scored, an attacker must touch the ball inside the circle before it crosses the goal line. There was no touch by an attacker here, and also no defender, so the correct decision is a …
Continue Reading about NZLvBEL No attacker touch inside the circle before crossing the goal line →
An aerial goes into two opposing players. One attacking player (BEL) backs off to grant the defender 5m to bring down the ball, but one of their teammates from behind the receiving space rushes into …
Continue Reading about CHNvBEL Aerial one backs off another infringes →
On the free hit, the attacker pushes the ball from the stationary position and moves it slightly closer to the defender, while the defender is moving backwards away from the free hit. These two …
A crucial read on the advantage allows an exciting goal opportunity to develop in the central channel. If you are looking ahead to where the ball should go next, you can properly and quickly assess …
Continue Reading about ARGvESP Advantage recognizing space →
The umpire calls for the captains to have a discussion about physical play off the ball. Early in a game, this is an excellent strategy for player management, inviting the captains to take …
After a sideline ball is given to the attack, the player tries to take the self-pass quickly with a rolling ball, too far from where the ball exited the pitch. Be prepared for players trying to take …
Continue Reading about ESPvNED Ball placement on the sideline →
The defender gains possession of the ball and, after a short adjustment, plays it towards her teammate who is completely unprepared for the pass and actually picks up her feet to get out of the way, …
Continue Reading about BELvNZL Intentional off end line or misplayed →
The initial receiver of the ball is an attacker in navy, standing just in front of the 23-metre line. He is sandwiched by two defenders. One defender possibly unintentionally infringes by coming from …
Continue Reading about ESPvARG GC 5m aerial infringement breakdown →
A ball goes out off the endline, touched last by an attacker. The defending team attempts to set up a 15m free hit in the middle of the circle, and the opposition is reasonably close in their …
This is the third breakdown foul by this team so far in the game, and the two previous had been met with green cards. However, the reason this seemingly innocuous stick tackle is penalized this …
Note: this occurred before the rule changed to require time to be stopped for penalty corners and therefore whistles to be used to restart the clock and play to resume with the penalty corner. This …
Continue Reading about GERvAUT PC insertion before umpire signal →
The free hit is reversed at a crucial moment in the game. GBR had held a 4-2 lead until the later moments when they gave up 2 late goals, so AUS were carrying the momentum in the last minute. Whether …
Amazingly difficult clip to determine whether there was any kind of shield or not. The ball carrier’s stick didn’t come over the ball to shield, but was the ball dropped behind his leg in order to …
The BLR defender commits a stick obstruction along the side-boards and, within hearing distance of the whistle, clearly puts her stick down in the way of the NED attacker’s self-pass, breaking down …
A green card is given for this intentional use of the foot after the defender moves his back foot towards the ball after being beaten on the dribble. Watch for the player moving their foot into the …
Continue Reading about ESPvGER Green card intentional use of foot →
This aerial is mistrapped but the opposition wasn’t 5 metres. Advantage didn’t accrue so the whistle was blown a little on the later side by the trailing umpire. Knowing your responsibilities is …
A green card is shown as the NZL player ignores the whistle indicating the ball had gone over the sideline, and then clearly steps in and around the ball to interfere with it either being played or …
Continue Reading about NZLvESP GC for playing ball after whistle →
As an outnumbered counterattack flows into the circle, the deflected crossing attempt is deflected high off the goalkeeper’s stick. It then strikes his defending teammate in the chest and slowly …
A long pursuit by a defender leads to two breakdown tackles and one green card. To access this content, you must purchase FHU3T Green, FHU3T Green 365, FHU3T Yellow 365 or FHU3T Yellow. …
Continue Reading about ARGvNED GC breakdown stick obstruction →
There are several moving pieces in this aerial, and shows the difficulty in parsing out exactly 5m of clear space for an initial receiver. In tracking the reception area prior to the ball arriving, …
Continue Reading about NZLvESP Aerial not given for initial receiver →
The attacker makes a good reception under tight marking and releases down the sideline. Her defender chases from the left side but is significantly behind. The ball is being carried well out in front …
Continue Reading about NZLvBEL GC for reckless tackle from behind →
The ball is cleared up the sideline dangerously, and the umpire brings the ball back to where it was dangerous to the opponent, not where the ball was launched from. This is inconsistent with rule 9.8 …
Description to follow …
This aerial is called in favour of the attacking team as the initial receiver of the ball was in 5m of space before the ball began its trajectory towards the landing zone. The opposing defender subtly …
Continue Reading about AUSvARG Aerial to attacker 5m infringement →
The ball deflects off the surrounds and back towards where it needs to be taken on the sideline. The attacker takes the ball in full flight and doesn’t stop the ball. Given where the defenders are, …
This is the second card of the game for this player, who badly misses on this tackle and ensures his body stops the potential progress of the attacker to resume his run with the ball. Normally …
The umpire does a great job here making a quick decision on a free hit inside the dotted 5m line, and immediately “double-tweeting” to get the players’ attention and verbally signal the correct ball …
Continue Reading about INDvBEL Proactive ball placement inside dotted line →
On the aerial reception, the initial receiver isn’t given 5m to control a difficult aerial coming from overhead. The defender infringes the 5m immediately after the first touch, resulting in a quick …
When a shot at goal does not touch a defender before careening off a goalpost or crossbar, the danger is the responsibility of the shooter and therefore deemed created by the attack. The goalkeeper …
Continue Reading about ESPvGER Use of body after shot hits post →
The offensive player is obstructed initially when the defender comes over the top of her stick in an attempted tackle. However, she uses her stick to move the defender’s stick away in a dangerous …
Understanding when to do a little extra communication at the right moments will assist with both flow and your rapport with the players. A free hit is quickly given as the ball crosses into the 5m …
Continue Reading about ESPvGBR Proactive ball placement on free hit →
A yellow card for the 3rd breakdown by the same team in the match, now in Q3. Note the space available to the attacker behind the two defenders he’s beaten that he would have been able to burst …
After a defensive free hit is awarded for danger on the cross, the umpire gets distracted addressing players away from where the ball has drifted to. The team in possession takes advantage and takes a …
Continue Reading about ESPvARG Inattention to ball placement →
A defender attempts to cut out the aerial but can only do so legally by intercepting outside the 5m zone that the attacker was occupying. To access this content, you must purchase FHU3T …
This is an example of what is sometimes a difficult call to make regarding 3 points of contact. Accompanying the advent of the prohibition against “drilling” as a specifically-described piece of …
Continue Reading about GERvAUT Shot before 3pts of contact →
Excellent communication from the supporting umpire over the radio throughout this sequence leads to an accurate and accepted penalty corner decision. It’s just as important for the support to say …
Continue Reading about NEDvBEL Radio help from supporting umpire →
As of the beginning of 2020, the FIH Rules Committee has confirmed that this interpretation can no longer be implemented, and if a personal penalty is given within the 23m area, it must be accompanied …
Continue Reading about ARGvBEL GC for body obstruction breakdown →
A penalty stroke is awarded for this intentional stick tackle which interfered with the shot taken by the attacker. To access this content, you must purchase FHU3T Green, FHU3T Green 365, …
Continue Reading about NEDvBEL Penalty stroke for stick tackle from behind →
As the attacker attempts to avoid the tackle from a defender, the defender is able to get her stick on the ball as the attacker’s legs block and interfere with the defender’s stick. A free …
Continue Reading about BLRvNED Body obstruction interfering with stick →
It’s also a heart-in-mouth moment when you get caught supporting near the centre line on the penalty corner and a rebound and quick break fly by you. This umpire does the right thing by running back …
Continue Reading about CHNvNED Recovery from support on PC →
A defender goes to ground outside the circle and creates a long barrier. The ball hits his stick onto his leg, and so this is adjudged an intentional breakdown of play on video referral and is a …
On this penalty corner, the sweep hit crosses the goal line at a height over the top of the backboard. Because the sweep hit involves a backswing, it meets the definition of a hit under the rules and …
Continue Reading about AUSvGBR First shot sweep hit too high on PC →
An early instance where the defending team taps the ball away has the intended effect of allowing the defenders to get back in front of the ball in numbers. Although this particular moment may not …
The ball leaves the pitch after being deflected by an attacker. The defender picks up the ball out of bounds and then plays it in line with where it went out, ~5-7m away from the end line. The rule …
Continue Reading about ESPvARG 15m free hit taken close to end line →
One difficult area for the controlling umpire is the top of the circle, when the ball is received by a player facing in the opposite direction. Their body will often block the view of the ball, making …
Continue Reading about GBRvAUS Cooperation from supporting umpire →
