National Governing Body for Skater Hockey in Great Britain
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Home > News > Archive > 01.11.2006 |
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NEWSMessage to Match OfficialsDate Posted : 1st November 2006I have noticed this year that quite a few referees are giving penalties for too many players on the pitch when the clock is stopped in the game. This is totally incorrect. The rule is if the clock is stopped it doesn't matter whether one player is on the pitch, or the whole team. No team will gain an advantage if the clock is stopped. It is up to the referee to look up and check there are only 4 players on the pitch before restarting, they must not throw the ball down to restart the game and catch 5 or 6 players on the pitch. Although we work to the rule book, we have got to use common sense as well. If anybody wants further clarification of this rule, or indeed any other rules, be they referee or team official, I am more than happy to speak to them. At the end of the day, all hockey players pay a lot of money to play, and as referees and officials we should be doing our best to get it right. On another matter, over the past few weeks we have had a number of facial injuries among senior players who are not wearing face cages. Can I make it clear to referees and regional representatives that players are not covered under BiSHA insurance for injuries to teeth, and we recommend for safety that cages are worn to protect both eyes and teeth. The ball moves at high speed and can do considerable damage to an unprotected face, as can sticks, and with the best will in the world, this is a contact sport and accidents can and do happen. Shaun Ryan
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