Eddie Ockenden

Having recently returned to Amsterdam after 10 days in Hobart playing for Tasmania, I think it is appropriate to firstly mention one of the biggest talking points of this years Australian Hockey League.

Many keen hockey followers would be aware that there has been a new rule approved for Hockey as of May 2009; however, I’m not sure to what level of hockey it’s applied to.

The self-play free hit is intended, as according to the rule guidelines, to speed up the game and reduce the possibility of danger at ‘dead ball’ situations in the 23m area of the field.

It has the potential to be as redefining a change to the sport, since the offside rule was thanked, then asked to take an extended rest on the proverbial bench.

Generally, it allows a player to pass to themselves from a free hit with the ball still required to travel the one metre distance.

One great advantage is that it creates limited opportunities for players and teams breaking down the play. This means giving away free hits on purpose to stop the flow of the opposition, forcing them to slow down and for the defensive team to get numbers behind the ball, similar to the now infamous flood for the AFL educated.

The play should become quicker, I think it was played at a faster pace. Everywhere except the attacking 23 that is, where I personally think the rule, at the AHL, was flawed.

Now, I’m not entirely sure what the interpretation of the international rule is, but as played in the AHL, any free hit inside the 23 (or 25 yard line) had to be taken with ALL players five metres away. In addition the ball can not be hit into the circle without first traveling five metres, passed or dribbled. As you can imagine, opposition teams are not going to allow someone to dribble five metres then hit the ball in, or allow a free player enough space to receive a pass then hit the ball in.

It resulted in a dramatically reduced number of deflection goals and balls being hit into the circle in general. I guess this was the idea to reduce the potential danger for balls being lifted, but it made it hard at instances such as long corners: the play became a bit stagnant at times.

My confusion of the rule is brought about by another innovative competition which is the European Hockey League. This matches the best club teams from all over Europe against each other. In this competition I am led to believe that the only requirement is that the ball must travel the usual one metre before being hit into the circle.

I’m not sure if it is better, I haven’t played so I will reserve judgment.

I think it needs to be resolved to be in the best interests of the game, to enhance the excitement, to generate interest in Australia and around the world. Just as relinquishing the burden of the offside rule did; the game is better off without it.

Obviously a lot of players conceded there were going to be some teething problems regarding the interpretations of the rules between each game. I don’t expect this to happen exclusively within Australia, but throughout world hockey as its introduced during different tournaments throughout the calendar year and into the major competition, the 2009 Champions Trophy in Melbourne in November/December.

As you would expect players may find it hard at times to adjust to some of the aspects of the rule, umpires may too find it difficult, I don’t know. But I think the main criteria the players are looking for is consistency. We have to be tolerant, which is sometimes tricky.

Overall, I think it is a positive step, perhaps a little bit unproven especially at international level, however still a potential step forward.

In terms of rule changes to traditional sports, games such as Australian Rules Football over the last few years have been constantly adjusting, creating, tweaking rules and to be honest perhaps just stealing ideas from the national netball competition. Leaving many to strongly advising from afar, to leave the game alone, or words to that effect. But my point is they have done so with the idea of appealing to a target market, trying to keep the game popular and appeal to youngsters and parents alike; they are the future of sport.

This is my reasoning why I like the fact hockey is evolving, with the idea of becoming more viewer friendly, whilst generating increasing interest. Hockey deserves it; the game has a strong future.