Drilling is deliberately playing the ball hard at a close opponent. We are looking specifically to eliminate injuries caused by balls unnecessarily striking hands or being flung off defenders' sticks into their bodies or heads.
Players must not drill or slam the ball into an opponent who is:
- set or stationary, or
- the attacker has chosen to turn and fire into the defender,
- the defender is close = within 3m, and
- the ball is played hard at them towards their hands or body
In a “turn and fire”, even though the attacker begins the manoeuvre facing away from the defender, they are responsible for knowing if a defender is in tackling position.
Likely signs that drilling doesn't exist:
- The player is on the move and upright
- The player is further than 3m away
- The ball is played outside the defender's body (i.e. into an outstretched stick)
Turn and Fire Example
Although the defender is moving, she is in a good tackling position when the attacker attempts to cross the ball through her. This is a turn and fire and needs to be penalized harshly.
We are strict on drilling because:
- It is extremely dangerous
- There is no skill in this at all
- It is not in the spirit of the game
Drilling While Shooting At Goal
Drilling can exist even when the attacker is shooting on net.
Your response as an umpire must be:
- At a minimum on the first instance, award a free push to the defender with a loud whistle and verbal warning to the attacker
- Consider on the first or the next subsequent foul a green card
- In some circumstances where disregard for an opponent's safety is clearly shown OR after a green card has already been awarded to that team for this offence, a 2′ yellow card is appropriate
- A repeated drill after a 2′ yellow card has already been shown to that team or where the danger is clearly very high, a 4′ yellow card must be given
- In severe cases where intent to injure is present or after a 4′ yellow card has been shown to that team for this offence, the red card can be shown
Bonus WUW Replay Content
Check out this in-depth discussion on what is and isn't drilling:
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