New Free Hit Rule

New Free Hit Rule (FH)
It is important to keep in mind the objectives of the new rule for 2009:

1. To speed‐up the game.
2. To reduce the possibility of danger at “dead‐ ball’’ situations in the attacking 23m area of the field.

NOTE‐ The free‐hit, centre‐pass, sideline hit‐ins and ”long corners” are now grouped together & are interpreted in the same manner.

NOTE‐ The ball must still travel 1m if passed directly to a team mate from a free hit. (FH)

1. THE SELF‐PLAY FH:
The team taking the FH

• A player must make 2 clear motions – a stop with a push/hit to follow immediately.
• A FH is not taken if a player just dribbles off with the ball.
  
• The player must stop the ball before taking the FH – this indicates that the FH is to be taken (the same degree of leniency in applying this will be as per the “old” rule in open play).
  
• The ball does not have to travel a meter before the second motion.
  
• It is possible for a player to “self‐pass” & throw an “overhead” as the 2nd motion but safety of players is paramount & DANGER must be penalised if this is used inappropriately.

NOTE‐ Players from the same team do not have to be 5m from where the free hit is to be taken.

NOTE‐ The team with the FH does not have to wait for opposition players to move 5 m from where the FH is to be taken.

2. OPPOSTION PLAYERS

• Opposition players MUST move 5 m from where the FH is to be taken.
  
• Umpires MUST take action against deliberately preventing a quick FH – this is gamesmanship. A warning (verbal or “green”) may be appropriate but those actions which are clearly designed to slow the game are intentional & repeated offences merit temporary offences.
  
• UMPIRES MUST BE PRO‐ACTIVE IN MOVING PLAYERS 5m FROM FH’s (VERBAL & WHISTLING).
  

OPPOSITION PLAYERS IN “THE 5” CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE PLAY UNTIL THEY HAVE RETREATED AT LEAST 5 METERS FROM THE SITE OF THE FH.

PLAYING AT THE BALL IN ANY WAY, “GETTING IN THE WAY” OR RUNNING NEXT TO THE BALL CARRIER WHO HAS TAKEN THE FH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE & SHOULD BE UMPIRED CONSISTENTLY IN LINE WITH OTHER EXAMPLES OF “GAMEMANSHIP”.

3. LOCATION OF A FH

• In open‐play allow the FH to be taken in the general proximity of the offence – as per the “old” rule.
  
• Inside the attacking 23‐ the FH must be taken close to the site of the offence.
  
• Inside the dotted circle‐ THE BALL MUST BE TAKEN BACK TO THE NEAREST POING 5m FROM THE CIRCLE.
  
• Defensive FHs & 15s are as per “old” rule.

4. FH’s TAKEN INSIDE THE ATTACKING 23 AREA:

• All players other then the player taking the FH must be 5m from the ball when the FH, long corner or sideline hit is taken.
• BEFORE the ball can enter the circle it MUST be touch by another player OR
  
• For a player talking a “self‐play FH”: The ball must be dribbled at least 5m before it is played into the circle. A player can “self‐pass” & then dribble directly into the circle, or pass the ball once the ball has moved 5m from the site of the FH.
  

NOTE: Hard hits or pushes to a team mate who is 5m away from the FH when it is taken AND outside the circle, with the intent of deflecting into the circle are permissible – WITH THE PROVISO THAT “DANGER” BE PANALISED IF APPLICABLE.

• Umpires must be pro‐active with regard to FH location – if the ball is in the wrong spot communicate this to the players before they have the chance to take the FH – avoid “replays”.

AT ALL TIMES UMPIRES, COACHES & PLAYERS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF THESE RULES: TO SPEED‐UP TIME THE GAME & REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF DANGER.

 

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