RULES AND GEAR

Hockey GEAR

GAME GEAR FOR SATURDAY:
  • Mouth guard - no mouthguard no game or practise.
  • Shin pads - vital for protecting shins!
  • Water bottle – please take onto the turf for games
  • Clean soled soft shoes - sneakers / trainers only – no spikes
  • Hockey sticks - as a measurement - the top of the stick should be level with or an inch below your childs belly button.
  • Some clubs have extra sticks please ask your co-ordinator if you need one before purchasing one.
  • Shirts - these are provided and will be issued before the 1st game. They are to be returned at the end of the season, if lost there is a replacement cost.
  • Long socks – Your club co-ordinator will let you know the colour and where they can be purchased, if not provided.
  • Shorts – as above.
WHERE TO BUY:

MJHC rules

COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
  • Players can only be from Years 0-6 to participate in the competition.
  • Junior teams must have at least 6 registered players and senior teams must have at least 7. Only players registered with the MJHC can play in the competition.
  • As this is a mixed competition there needs to be a minimum of 1 girl and 1 boy on the team. However, if after all efforts are made to facilitate a mixed team fail, approval for a same sex team can be submitted to the MJHC Committee where approval will be given if the majority of the committee agree.
  • When subbing if your team only has 1 girl or boy on the team, it is not necessary to ensure they are always on the field.
  • You can ensure you have a full team plus one sub by following the guidelines below.
  • Junior teams play six a-side, senior teams play seven a-side. When you are unable to field a full team (see note * regarding defaulting), the coach with the lesser number of players may:
  • Ask the opposing coach if they want to play a smaller team (i.e., equal reduced numbers per team). If there is no agreement to default, then it can be played as a normal game. This needs to be decided by the opposing coach before the game starts.
  • Borrow players from the opposing team. If there is no agreement to default, then it can be played as a normal game. This needs to be decided by the opposing coach before the game starts.
  • If you have a minimum of 4 of your own players (play can commence with 4 players) but require additional numbers from elsewhere – see below for “playing up” rules – it will still be your team.  However, if you only have 3 able players you would have to default on the points and have a friendly game with the opposing side.
  • For Senior Teams, the team may borrow players from a junior team within their club. This is known as “playing up” (see ** note below). Senior teams can only borrow players from another senior team within their club IF they are unable to “play up” enough junior players and they still do not have enough players to field a team that day and it does not affect the team they are borrowing from.
  • For Junior Teams, the team may borrow players from Funsticks. Junior teams can also borrow players from another junior team within their club IF it does not affect the team they are borrowing from OR they could ask the team having a BYE.
  • If a year 4 player is playing for a senior team on a permanent basis (i.e., registered with that senior team), then that year 4 player cannot play for a junior team as well. This also means they cannot be a substitute or a reserve for a junior team.
  • A default needs to be agreed upon between both coaches (or representatives) and tell the umpires BEFORE the game starts. If there is no agreement, then it is a normal game.
  • Only players and two support crew per team (Coach and one other) are allowed inside the turf enclosure during gameplay.

*Defaulting - Teams are asked to make every endeavour to avoid defaulting a game, to the extent of still turning up to play following a default with available players and some loan players, so that the opposition have a game to play. We encourage teams to not automatically default, instead contact the opposing team’s coordinator to see if you can borrow some of their players or if they are happy to play with less players. If they are unable to do so, you could contact the other coordinators to see if anyone else can help. For the juniors, there will be a team on BYE each week that you could potentially utilise players from. **Playing up is widely practiced by NZ Hockey Clubs. It does not confer any advantage to the team because of the lesser grade in which the substituted players play. It merely enables that team to field a full complement of players and allowing for one sub.
one sided games
  • If the game is very one sided – we suggest more than a 5-point lead - it is suggested that at half time the 2 coaches get together. The following are suggestions only for balancing out a game. Please ensure that you inform the umpire of your decision.

  • Only non-scorers are allowed to score.
  • The not so strong team can add a player.
  • Restrict half the team to the ½ way line.
  • Put your best players in defence for the not so strong team.
  • Players must pass 5 times before they can score.
  • Once you have scored, you are not allowed to score again.
  • We do advise against taking your best player(s) off as we do not want to penalise them for being good.
  • Umpires can be harder on the high scoring team regarding feet/general rules that are often looked over to let the game flow (this should just be applied for the senior teams).
The emphasis during a game should be on fun and mass participation. Players should be rotated to gain equal experience in all playing positions. Please contact the Executive Committee if you have any questions or suggestions.
RULES FOR THE USE OF THE TURF
  • No players subs or adults (coaches and managers included) are to be behind the baseline during play.
  • Appropriate turf shoes or sandshoes only. No studs, spikes or cleats allowed. Clean shoes only. Umpires will check shoes at the start of the game.
  • No spitting on the turf.
  • No food, glass containers or chewing gum on the turf.
  • Any injury that involves bleeding requires the person to leave the field immediately and have the wound dressed and blood washed off. Only then may the player return to the playing turf.
  • No dogs allowed within the turf enclosure. All dogs at the A & P Showgrounds and Rugby Club Grounds must be on a lead.
  • The surrounding fields cannot be used for warm ups due the risk of contamination to the turf, likewise please ensure the players use the concrete path if they are wearing their turf shoes.
  • Leave the Turf tidier than how you found it – Gear in, Gear Out.
MATCH TIMINGS
  • Each game will consist of 2 halves of 18 minutes each, with a 2 minute half time break and change of ends, 7 minute rotation (includes 5 minutes for teams to do Player of the Day on the turf + 2 minutes for next teams and umpires to get on to turf).
  • The umpires can blow their whistles for the game to start as soon as the hooter has gone, regardless of how many players are on the turf.
  • The game is commenced with a hit / push back or forward from the centre spot.
  • To re-start the match after half-time - a centre pass is taken by a player of the team which did not take the centre pass to start the match. Direction of play is reversed in the second half of the match.
CANCELLATIONS
The hockey turf is all weather however play will be cancelled if there is any risk of lightning or in cases of extreme weather. Cancelations will be posted on the MJHC Facebook page

GAME RULES

  • No mouth guard, no game. Includes all teams including Funsticks, Juniors and Seniors.
  • Players are NOT permitted to:
  • Raise the stick above their shoulder.
  • Raise the ball above knee height.
  • Use the stick to obstruct an opponent.
  • Criticise or ridicule another person. The umpires are also to be treated with the utmost respect.
  • Play the ball with their hands or feet to their advantage, although Umpires may use their discretion (ie play advantage) regarding feet, especially with Junior games.
  • Use the back of the stick at any time.
  • Intimidating or overly aggressive play. Intimidating play includes an accentuated back lift and follow through when hitting the ball, barging, pushing or hacking (hitting other players stick during a tackle or attempted tackle). A free hit will be awarded and repeat offenders may be asked to leave the field of play.
  • There are no offside rules.
  • Please note only players and two support crew per team (Coach and one other) are allowed inside the turf enclosure during play.
  • No player subs, or adults (including coaches and managers) are to be behind the baseline during play.
  • Funsticks players will require parent / caregiver support and participation within the field of play.
TURF LAYOUT - SCORING ZONES
A goal may be scored from anywhere within the opposing team’s defensive zone:
  • for Junior teams this is within the 10m line. This will be marked with cones.
  • for Senior teams this is within the the shooting circle (D).
A Free Hit
A free hit is awarded for any breach of rules. A free hit is taken close to where the offence occurred. No player may be within 5 metres of the ball when a free hit is taken. When taking a free hit, players are able to Auto Pass (ie pass to self) and dribble the ball into play.
  • For senior teams: From a free hit awarded to the attack within the “23 metres area”, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5m or has been touched by a defending player.
Ball over the side-line
When the ball is played over the sideline, the opposing team will be awarded a free hit at the point where the ball crossed the line. If the ball hits the timber play will continue.
BALL OVER THE BACK-LINE
Sixteen
  • If played over the back line by an attacker (known as a ‘sixteen’) a free hit will be awarded to the defending team, in line with where the ball went out.
  • For Junior teams, the free hit will be taken from the 10m line.
  • For Senior teams, the free hit will be taken from “23m line”.
Long Corner
  • If played over the back line unintentionally by a defender (known as a ‘long corner’) a free hit will be awarded to the attacking team, in line with where the ball went out.
  • For Junior teams, the free hit will be taken from the 10m line.
  • For Senior teams, the free hit will be taken from “23m line”.
Penalty Corner
  • If the ball is played over the back-line intentionally by a defender (known as a ‘penalty corner’ or ‘PC’):
  • For Junior teams, the attacking team will be awarded a free hit to be taken from the 10m line, in line with where the ball went out.
  • For Senior teams, If the ball is played over the back-line intentionally by a defender, a penalty corner is awarded to the attacking team.
an intentional foul
  • A penalty corner is awarded to the attacking team when a defender commits a foul within the scoring circle, or an intentional foul within the “23 metre line” or junior shooting zone.
  • For senior teams, umpires are encouraged to award penalty corners. The ball is to be hit / pushed from the point where the D intersects with the backline. The ball should travel through the circle and be stopped just outside the circle, then moved back inside the circle where a shot at goal may be attempted.
  • For Junior teams, a free hit will replace the penalty corner, the free hit is taken 10 metres from the goal, along the back-line.
Respect for umpires
At all times show courtesy to your umpire and obey all umpire decisions. Any queries regarding decisions are to be made to the Umpire Mentors. The Umpire’s decision is final.