2016 Rule Changes
EQUIPMENT:
1. FACE MASKS ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED.
As you know, all players are required to wear eye protection that meets the current standard that has already been in place. There will be no exceptions to this NFHS Eye Wear rule.
2. Eyewear Protection – All field hockey field players are required by NFHS rules to use eyewear protection which meets the current ASTM F2713-14 standard.
3. In another equipment change, Rule 1-7-1 will now permit the goalkeeper’s uniform top to be multiple colors to ensure contrasting uniforms with field players. In addition, effective with the 2017 season, a visible number should be on the front and back of the uniform top.
ALL:
By NFHS on June 10, 2016
1-2: New procedure for Long Hit eliminates the need for this field marking. Long Hit Line will also be eliminated from Field Diagram.
1-5-3: The home team is required to wear single solid white uniform tops front and back on the torso. The home team should only wear white socks to match the uniform top. There is no need for the home team to wear any other color sock/sock guard than white. Light-colored is ambiguous.
1-5-6 PENALTIES 2 (new): When an illegally uniformed team is unable to correct the situation or cannot verify state association approval of the uniform, the game shall be played. The referee must, however, notify the state association following the game.
1-6-5: Face masks are no longer permitted
1-8-1a: Goalkeeper uniform tops may be multiple colors to ensure contrasting uniforms with field players. Effective 2017, the goalkeeper’s uniform top must have visible numbers on the front and back. This will create consistency with all uniforms worn on the field.
7-3-2: The implementation of the new “Long Hit Procedure” created a new name that is consistent with the new procedure.
10-3-2: The rule change for 2015 (dealing with restarts for extended play penalty corners) eliminated the clear definitions for when a penalty corner, during regular play, is considered to be completed. The exception to the rule added in 2015 (dealing with restarts for extended play penalty corners) should apply to an injury during regulation play as well as extended play.
11-1-1e: The rules have evolved to allow umpires to better manage this situation if it occurs. Deleted provision to award a penalty stroke when the defending team continues to deliberately cause the ball to go over the end line.
2016 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Properly Marked Protective Eyewear
2. Elimination of Facemask Use as a Protective Device
3. 25-Yard Free Hit
4. Self-Pass and Delay of Game
5. Rough and Dangerous Play
6. Good Sporting Behavior
Clarification on the new rule change for the long hit procedure:
The “long-hit procedure” in high school field hockey will be replaced by a 25-yard free hit effective with the 2016 season.
Beginning next season, the attacking team will be awarded a 25-yard free hit instead of a long hit when a defender unintentionally causes the ball to go across the end line or if the ball glances off the stick/person of a defender in this area and goes across the end line. Play will be re-started with the ball on the 25-yard line that is in line with where it crossed the end line, and all procedures for taking a free hit will apply.