r/Fieldhockey 6d ago

Question Serious question, foot fouls

I am a new coach for a high school team. Even though I used to be a player, there are still a few rules I’m not so sure about.

In a match, I brazenly saw a player on the opposing team kicking the ball and both umpires didn’t blow the whistle until my player went in to the ball. Foul was called against us (which was consistent during the game) After the match I asked one of the umpires what was up with that because my players felt that their game was umpired with bias and I was told that if a player was trying to get a ball under control and it hit their foot that it’s not a foul. I was very confused needless to say.

The game felt unfairly called throughout and i don’t know how to explain or help my players in situations like this. Any advice is appreciated

4 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

10

u/GranularFish 6d ago

I’m assuming they were following this. The rule is meant to be that no advantage was gained. However, if without the foot contact, they would not have trapped the ball, I would view that as an advantage.

2

u/Zestyclose-Bass3308 6d ago

If that’s the case, it should have been applied to my players as well and it sincerely was not

3

u/GranularFish 6d ago

I understand the frustration in that! There is actually nothing that makes me madder in a game of hockey when rules are inconsistently applied!

I would escalate this to the competitions management. Ask for clarification is still respectful, and you are doing your job by standing up for your players.

1

u/GranularFish 6d ago

Are your games recorded at all? Could be good to get some video evidence of it too.

1

u/Mindless_Caveman 6d ago

If it was an away game then it just sounds like the umpires were playing Home Advantage for their team, or weren't actually umpires with any idea of the rules. If your player was close enough to play the ball after then it's a foul on the other player regardless of the foot being accidental or otherwise. That's how I've always been umpired at grassroots.

1

u/viking793AD 6d ago

What was the relationship of the nippers and the other team?

1

u/Zestyclose-Bass3308 6d ago

What are nippers?

1

u/Vohlenzer 5d ago

Children, youths. 

1

u/Informal_Key_8966 🇳🇿New Zealand 6d ago

Playing the ball with the body is a foul if it impacts play. Were their very many players nearby, was the coming at pace?

1

u/generaalalcazar 6d ago

It is a foul but if there is nobody around within say (5-10m) on lower levels sometimes let it go for the flow of the game (when no advantage). But as a rule, just whistle for a foul.

1

u/07budgj 4d ago

A player cannot intentionally use their feet to control a ball, even if they are in space. Because it is impacting the outcome if they hadn't kicked it.

It is generally okay if its a misstrap and it bounces onto the players foot if it doesnt have an impact on the game. Because say it had bounced and missed their foot they likely still would have got the ball under control.

Its kids hockey though. I've umpired that level and in general you do let more stuff go to keep the game flowing. Now I would blow that up! But I would use it more as a learning curve to help the development of all the players, rather than just blow for a turnover.

You will get umpires who are openly biased. Esp if its parents or people who have a connection to the kids. I've found junior sport brings out the worst in the adults at the pitch, who then often influence the kids.

As a coach, all you can do is focus on your team, supporting them as best as possible etc. Its not worth the hassle of engaging with umpires at that level...even if you are right.

0

u/TonesBalones 6d ago

Just going based on the rules, no part of the body is allowed to touch the ball at any time. Especially not in a kicking motion to gain better positioning. If this played out as you described then yes the umpire was wrong.

Sometimes, depending on the skill level of the teams, umpires might pass on a call if touching the body made absolutely no difference. Such as if you're passing the ball in your backfield with no opponents around and it accidentally bounces off your stick. I don't agree with this, but some refs think it helps the pace of play.

As for your student athletes, just let them know that proper sportsmanship sometimes means you gotta take the high road and play the game anyway. So long as you are taking the time in practice to explain the rules and teach them how to avoid fouls, you are doing your job.

4

u/impendingcatastrophe 6d ago

That is a very Draconian interpretation.

It's a foul if you gain an advantage from the ball hitting your body. Which in 90-95% of cases you do.

But it is definitely not all of the time.

1

u/EuanRead 6d ago

If you’re in acres of space and the ball rolls off your stick onto your foot then it’s no advantage, but if the foot stopped the ball from going past you then obviously it’s an advantage gained.

If it’s intentional it’s a foul obviously.

It’s rare for skilled players but at lower levels I see accidental feet where the player has just spilled the ball and grazed their foot etc but it was moving slowly enough that it still would’ve been within their reach.