1. Umpires TEAM Briefing EuroNations Championships London (ENG) 22nd-29th August, 2015 Umpire Manager’s Peter von Reth (NED) & Ged Curran (SCO)

2. Our AIM TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE  Support a great spectacle for the Hockey World and deliver a high quality product through:  Protecting skill  Encouraging meaningful flow  Eliminate dangerous play  The promotion of our game

3. Set Standards Early  Get direct and strong messages across early in the game  Communication is important but CONNECTING IS THE KEY

4. The Free Hit, Self-Pass and 5 metres  Make sure the free-hit / self-pass is taken in the correct place with a ’close to motionless’ ball...but be PROACTIVE without being SILLY  Don’t interfere unless the player(s) within 5 metres are affecting the game...both defenders and attackers...this is especially important just outside the circle  Be aware of situations where the attacker restarts with a quick freehit and chooses a path into defenders within 5 metres

5. The Free Hit Outside The Circle Commentary and additional guidance: The intention of the Rule change is to assist game flow, such that the attack is able to take a quick free hit from the point of the offence, rather than have to take the ball back to the dotted 5 metres line. All players other than the player taking the free hit should be at least 5 metres from the ball. If a player is within 5 metres of the ball, they must not interfere with the taking of the free hit or must not play or attempt to play the ball. If this player is not playing the ball, attempting to play the ball or influencing play, the free hit need not be delayed. A player within 5 metres of the ball at the taking of the free hit is not allowed to engage with play prior to the ball having travelled at least 5 metres.

6. The Free Hit Outside The Circle Commentary and additional guidance: However, at a free hit the ball cannot enter the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres if the same player continues to play the ball or it has been touched by another player of either team. Defenders who are inside the circle within 5 metres of the free hit are therefore not interfering with play and may also shadow around the inside of the circle a player who takes a self-pass, provided that they do not play or attempt to play the ball or influence play until it has either travelled at least 5 metres or alternatively has been touched by another player of either team who can legitimately play the ball. Players inside the circle who were 5 metres or more from the point of the free hit are not allowed to move and remain in a ‘set’ position within 5 metres of the ball when the free hit is taken. Other than indicated above, any playing of the ball, attempting to play the ball or interference by a defender or an attacker who was not 5 metres from the ball, should be penalised accordingly.

7. Breakdowns  Be aware of when and where this happens:  WHEN? Fast breaks – Turnovers  WHERE? Often just outside the attacking 23m area  This needs cut out of the game to protect skill:  CONNECT with this early to stop it

8. Obstruction  This still exists!  Be aware of when, where and how this happens:  WHEN...players are confined or trapped in a tight space  WHERE...on the sidelines / backlines  HOW...using the leading foot  This is a lack of skill...frustrates players...and should not be rewarded

9. Playing the ball after the whistle  This is a tactic designed to gain an advantage  When and where does it happen?  Who does it?  Why don’t we always see it when it happens?  Team or personal penalty? We need to get this correct...every time

10. Physical play and sliding tackles  We need to cut these tackles out  Sliding tackles that takes out the player  Cynical physical fouls which grounds a player  Playing the ball with the body High Risk = High Gain...or High Penalty

11. Other Stuff Crowding the umpire THIS IS NOT FOOTBALL!!  2 is company...you and one player...3 is a crowd!  It would be reasonable however...and sensible...to allow a captain to join  It is not acceptable for this to happen...or to allow this to happen

12. Penalty Corner Line Breaks  If a defender breaks at PC – he must go to the halfway line and cannot be replaced by another defender  If a GK breaks at PC – another defender must go to the halfway line and cannot be replaced by another defender  If an attacker enters circle before injection – he must go to to the halfway line but can be replaced by another attacker  If an injector feints an injection – he must be replaced by another attacker