Trapping and End-Line Play | Hockey Rules and Interpretations | #FeatureFriday Ep. 23i

On this revamped version of #FeatureFriday, we’ll work through aspects of trapping, intentionality and proactivity in the indoor game. A lot happens (and doesn't happen) within a few seconds in this clip, and it's a great example of how so many different rules need to be considered simultaneously or in rapid succession when umpiring indoor hockey. Find hundreds of more clips like this in the fhu3t Clip Library. 🟢🟡🔴🏑

Transcript

A defender recovers the ball on a clean tackle and finds himself stuck in the bottom left corner of the pitch, aka ‘hockey hell'. His opponents, have set up a double block cutting off the boards and another stick length beside that, and leave only the smallest space along the baseline leading directly towards his goal. When he realizes there is little space and no good space where he could exit, he moves his stick away from the ball and protects the lane directly towards his goal. At the same time, the attackers on the double block make no positive move on the ball, which has just enough motion on it that it very slowly rolls off the end-line, resulting in a centre-line restart for the attack.

In applying the rules, there is a potential trapping obstruction here, which should be called when the attackers haven't left a large-enough space for the player in possession to pass or dribble the ball through. It's a common and reasonable tactic for opponents to leave only the least attractive option available and if it's a stick length, that should be enough to pass muster under that rule and play can continue. The next question to ask is whether this may playing the ball intentionally off the end-line. It would be very hard to make that call given the access the attack had to the ball, along with so many other things which could have happened but didn't due to the passivity of the players.

Although it's not a pretty indoor play, there's little an umpire can do to inspire or create more openness and flow in situations like this.

Also note how the umpire does a great job in proactively communicating where he'd like the ball to be placed for the centre-line restart. The attacker is still walking with the ball back to the line when the double-whistle comes, which is enough to get the player to start correcting himself even though he has his back turned and can't even see what the umpire might be signalling.

A lot happens (and doesn't happen) within a few seconds in this clip, and it's a great example of how so many different rules need to be considered simultaneously or in rapid succession in this fast format.

Find hundreds of clips like this in the fhu3t Clip Library with a 🟡 membership.

🟢🟡🔴🏑

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