Badgers Rules
Objective
Badgers Hockey is played as a means of providing opportunities for juniors to play competitive 11-a-side hockey in an environment where they can develop skills, habits and attitudes that they can take with them to higher levels of hockey. As such, Badgers games are considered to be primarily for the Juniors involved. The Adult players are there to coach, guide and educate.
Interpretation – This means that the adult players should not take many restarts of the game after the ball has gone over the back line, or take many free hits, or push out at penalty corners. Adults must be encouraged to coach at all times.
Rules
Badgers Hockey generally conforms to the Rules of Hockey as laid out in the FIH rule book.
Additional Rules
Age of Players: Junior players will be aged under 16 at the start of the given playing season (as at 1st September). This means that in normal circumstances they will be in school year 11 or under. An adult is considered to be any other player. A junior player who has progressed to the point of promotion to a senior side and plays more than a handful of games at the senior level will also be considered to be an adult even if still aged under 16.
Interpretation – This means that where junior players are also playing regularly in adult teams then they must be considered as adults whatever their age.
Modification to Rules
1 – PLAYERS DRESS AND EQUIPMENT
Field players must wear shin/ankle guards.
Interpretation – England Hockey do not make wearing gum shields compulsory. As coaches we should be encouraging the Juniors to wear gum shields, and we strongly advise it. There is no requirement for the use of face masks, it falls into the same category, so again we should encourage the use of face masks at short corners.
2 – TEAMS
2.1 Team Make-Up Teams will consist of a maximum of 2 Adults on the pitch at any time, that includes an adult goalkeeper, though these are not actively encouraged. Outfield Adults should also be encouraged not to go past the half way line. The team should ideally also consist of a mixture of boys and girls.
Interpretation – The intention is to provide a competitive match to which both sides fully contribute. In certain circumstances it may be necessary to modify the make- up of the team, this is permissible if both captains agree that this would be best for the overall balance of the match. A ‘one sided’ match does little to encourage and develop all players on the pitch. This is a conference for improving the hockey of our Juniors not a league. Note. A one-sided score line does not necessarily reflect a one-sided match. Please ensure a competitive friendly game.
3 – SCORING A GOAL
3.1 A goal may only be scored by the Junior players of the attacking team.
Interpretation – It is not the intention that an adult ‘shells’ the ball into the circle.
No adults should engage in the circle.
Interpretation – It is the intention to encourage shooting from the Juniors and not to have an adult stopping every attack.
4 – TO START AND RE-START THE GAME
4.1 Should an Adult player from the attacking team ‘score’, then the goal shall be disallowed and a 16-yard hit awarded to the defending team. Adults should be encouraged not to hit the ball nor throw aerials.
5 – PENALTIES
5.1 Penalty Corners – The defending side may have a maximum of 1 Adult player behind the back-line, defending the Penalty Corner when it is taken but should not engage.
Perhaps the adult can coach from behind the goal.
The attacking side should have no Adult within 5 metres of the circle or the back-line when the Penalty Corner is taken.
Interpretation – The intention is that there should be only be adult outfield players coaching at penalty corners not participating.
6 – PROCEDURES FOR PENALTIES
6.1 Personal Penalties: The England Hockey disciplinary procedure as detailed in the handbook shall apply to all Badgers Conference matches.
7 – ACCIDENTS/INJURIES
7.1 It is mandatory that all Badgers sides are equipped with suitable First Aid kits.
7.2 Home sides should have knowledge of the nearest A&E departments to the home venue
7.3 Home should also be aware of any other equipment such as De-Fibs local to the pitch
GENERAL INFORMATION
Courtesy
Clubs are required to make contact with each other by the Tuesday/ Wednesday preceding the match. Ideally clubs should provide details of every game at the start of the season but still make contact prior to the game
Spirit
Adults should always be encouraged to play in the spirit and intention of Badgers Hockey.
Start Times of Matches.
It is expected that start times for matches will, wherever possible, bear in mind the distances that the opposition have to travel. Early and late start times pose different problems for travelling sides. Early contact between fixture secretaries may help to alleviate problems.
Umpiring.
The home team will provide both umpires. It should be understood that both teams are there to help the umpires and promote a competitive game. All adults and supporters should help umpires. This does not mean umpire for them but it means that decisions should be easily explained and not criticised.
After Match Entertaining.
It is hoped that away teams will attend the host club after the game. Socialising is an integral part of hockey and should be encouraged at an early stage of a player’s career. If the away side knows that they will not be able to return to the host club after the game then they should notify the host club by the Wednesday before the day of the match so that food is not prepared unnecessarily.
Respect
Parents should be educated and advised that Badgers hockey is a learning environment and therefore they need to encourage all aspects of hockey play.
For any concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Conference Manager
Roger Hemming
07714 202402