NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NEWS RELEASE
New Substitution Rule for Goalkeepers Adopted for High School Field Hockey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mark Koski
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 6, 2017) — A new substitution rule for goalkeepers has been adopted in high school field hockey. Effective with the 2017 season, all players, including the goalkeeper, will now enter the game through the 10-yard substitution area.
This revision in Rule 1-2-4h was one of eight rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Field Hockey Rules Committee at its January 12-13 in Indianapolis. The proposed rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Beginning next season, all substitutions, including ones involving the goalkeeper, will take place from the same substitution area. The game and time will only be stopped for a goalkeeper substitution at a natural break in the game, which is defined as any stoppage that does not interrupt the flow of the game.
Mark Koski, NFHS director of sports, events and development and liaison to the NFHS Field Hockey Rules Committee, said the new procedure will allow for a smoother and safer transition during a goalkeeper substitution.
Rough and dangerous play and unnecessary delay of game are now considered fouls rather than misconduct and are included in the list of fouls in Rule 8-1. Umpires can now use all administrative tools to manage such fouls as they occur in the game. On deliberate fouls by the defense within the 25-yard line, but outside the circle, the official shall award a penalty corner.
The awarding of a penalty stroke for misconduct in Rule 8-2 has been eliminated. The committee believes that removing a player for the remainder of the game and the team playing short-handed are appropriate consequences without awarding a penalty stroke to the opponent.
In the Official Field Hockey Signals, separate signals will be developed for “Free Hit” and “25-Yard Free Hit.” Previously, they were combined in one signal.
A complete listing of all rules changes will be available soon on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page, and select “Field Hockey.”
According to the 2015-16 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 1,763 schools offer girls field hockey with 59,793 participants.
This press release was written by Bryce Woodall, an intern in the publications/communications department at the NFHS. He is a senior at Franklin (Indiana) College, studying public relations.
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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.8 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900
Director of Publications and Communications
Chris Boone, 317-972-6900
Assistant Director of Publications and Communications