NEW DELHI: A few more hockey rules and regulations particularly in regard to the penalty corner are in for a change.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is “seriously contemplating” changes to make the rules regarding penalty comer much easier to understand.

The FIH has sought the advice of veteran Olympic umpire Gian Singh (regarding the rules of the games particularly the penalty corner which must be made simpler and easier to understand for spectators players and umpires.

In a letter to Mr Gian Singh FIH President Etienne Glichitch has asked him to suggest “new rules regarding penalty comers as the existing rules are terribly confusing for spectators most of them not having a sufficient knowledge of the mules”.

Mr Gian Singh who officiated in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics is considered an authority on the rules and regulations of the modern game.

The FIH has already accepted the amendments in the penalty stroke rules proposed by Mr Gian Singh.

FIH’s stress on bringing changes in the rules relating to penalty comer is obvious because now a day’s many crucial matches often are decided by penalty comers.

“But lack of uniformity in the rules tends to create a lot of confusion”.

During the operation of the penalty comer certain rules are applied differently for the same type of play.

‘There is more than one occasion where the same types of play according to penalty corner rules are dealt with differently. This creates confusion and makes the rule difficult.

For example;

  1. Lying down on the surface of the ground by a goalkeeper generally he is permitted to do so but in certain cases he is not.
  2. First shot at goal which goes into the goal above the height of back/side boards is considered dangerous so it is not allowed. But the subsequent shots are allowed even if they are higher than the height of the boards.
  3. Another situation which creates confusion to all concerned is about the certainty of stopping the ball dead without which a shot at the goal would be illegal. Another case that causes great confusion is that the ball after being passed once or on more occasions by the attacking players to score a goal required to be stopped if it has not been sopped dead before.

In to FIH President’s letter Mr Gian Sing, who has so far authored 11 books on the game, has suggested the following changes.

  1. The ball is to be stopped outside the circle with the stick not necessarily motionless instead on inside the circle
  2. After making an attempt to stop the ball the stopper then can only pass the ball inside the circle by a push or hit for taking a shot at goal.
  3. A direct rebound inside the circle from the stopper’s stick or playing the ball into the circle without stopping first should be considered an infringement of this rule.
  4. No shot at goal irrespective of first shot or subsequent shot should be allowed higher than the back/side boards. The scoop stroke may be allowed without any restriction subject to the condition of a dangerous clause.
  5. There should be no binding on the goalkeeper as regards lying on the surface of the pitch at any time.

Mr Gian Singh has in a letter to the FIH chief said if the proposed rules are put under trial “Tam sure they will make this aspect of the game interesting and enjoyable.”

‘These proposals will now be discussed by the rules sub-committee of the FIH and if approved will be circulated to all member countries to put into that for two years. The mules will come into effect if the majority of the members approve them.

Mr Gian Singh told UNI here that it was wrong to say that all the changes made by the FIH in the game’s rules were against the Asian counties. The fact is that the changes have been made to make “the game more attractive and easier to follow and play.”

The problem with us is that we do not put into or give a trial to new proposed rules while the Europeans start on them immediately. By the time rules are approved (the Europeans) become masters regarding those rules while we start learning them then” the grand old man of Indian hockey said.

“Hockey is a fast changing game and it will be in the interest of the Asian countries if they keep abreast with the changing rules and regulations of the game” Mr Gian Singh added.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 26, 1991