Hockey Rules & Interpretations: Understanding the Aerial Ball | #FeatureFriday

On #FeatureFriday, we highlight a clip that helps us understand and interpret the rules of hockey.

As this aerial goes up, two opposing players may have been within 5m of each other in a receiving area. However, from where the ball is heading there is an initial receiver from the attacking team who starts in front and could have safely received the ball but for the two players attempting to cut it out. The free hit is awarded to the attack.

The idea that a player needs to be alone with 5m of space around them in the receiving area in order to be considered an “initial receiver” as mentioned in the guidance to rule 9.10 isn't found in any rule. As a point of guidance, it may have been useful in the early days of the aerial but now that trajectories, speeds, angles and zones in which players can legally attempt receptions have developed to be wildly more variable, it's no longer helpful. Working with your colleague and splitting responsibilities of takeoff and landing wherever possible will free up one umpire to spot whether one player is best situated in a receiving area prior to encroachment by the opposition.

How do you cover this in your pre-match talk with your colleague?

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