IHF to implement rule changes from Jan 16

The two new rules introduced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) with effect from January 1 this year would be implemented by the Indian Hockey Federation from January 16.

IHF secretary-general K Jyothikumaran said on Tuesday that the new rules were approved by the FIH Executive Board at its meeting at Perth, Australia, last month.

The FIH announced that the rules would be implemented in all international competitions for a year from January 1, 2003.

The FIH also left it to the discretion of national associations to decide when to implement the changes in their respective domestic leagues and competitions. Consequent to this, the IHF had instructed all states and its affiliated units to implement the changes in all tournaments from January 16.

One of the new rules allows a defender to save a shot at goal above shoulder height. At present only goalkeepers are permitted to play the ball with any part of their stick above shoulder height.

This will continue to apply to general play throughout the field but the change means that defenders can use their sticks to stop or deflect a high shot at goal as long as they do so safely.

The other rule pertains to taking shots off a penalty-corner. Now the attacking team no longer needs to stop the ball dead before taking a shot at goal

However, the ball will still have to travel outside the circle before a shot is taken.

Talking about the new experimental rules, FIH secretary general Peter Cohen said: "This is all part of our aim of making the game easier to understand. The penalty-corner change will make the game more enjoyable to play and watch without altering the overall nature of the penalty-corner which is unique to hockey."