15 metre hit out - latitude as to position

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[batemane]

I have just finished my first season as a level 1 umpire. Yesterday, at club Summer BBQ, umpired exhibition game that, due to presence of several men and women first team players, was several levels up from my experience.  nevertheless, really enjoyed it.

Two things happened that I would appreciate advice upon.

The first concerned a series of hit-outs where ball had come off attacker's stick and gone behind back line. Due to standard, things moved fast and the game was re-started by the defender with a self-pass in the D but taken 7-8 metres away from where it had gone off on the opposite side of the goal. I called play back and invited defender to re-take from nearer to the correct place.  I was immediately challenged (politely) by players that 'they can take it anywhere in the D'.  Interestingly, this view was also held by other more experienced umpires following the game.  My understanding of the rules (7.4(a)) is that whereas a FHD given with the D can be taken anywhere within the D, a 15 metre hit-out is different and must be taken (within reason) in line with where it went off. I was left wondering whether more latitude is given to players at a higher level and, if this is the case, how much more latitude is given as to where the hit-out is taken.

The second incident also involved a 15 metre hit-out.  The goalkeeper retrieved the ball and, using his stick,  self passed from near where ball went off and then kicked the ball very accurately to a defender just outside the D. I think I was just surprised as I had not seen this done before.  Having read the new rules this appears to be OK but I would be grateful for confirmation (or otherwise).

Thank you

[redumpire]

Batemane

Your decisions were right in both instances.

There probably is a little more latitude with regard to the exact placement of a 15m hit at "higher levels", but it certainly can't be taken anywhere in the circle: as you say, that only applies to defensive free-hits awarded inside the circle.

The goalie's self-pass is fine, provided his/her first touch is with the stick.

Cheers

Red

[Diligent]

Dammit! Red got there first.
That's exactly what I was writing. 

[Bertybob]

Ditto.

I probably allow about 3 metres of latitude before I drag it back for a retake / reposition.

[Goalie64]

What they said.

What doesn't help is when umpires fall into the habit of signalling for a 16 when they should be showing FHD, and then (correctly) letting the ball be played from anywhere in the D. This can confuse the players.
I know i've been guilty of doing this in the past.

[foozbear]

ill answer the same...BOTH look ok....and no-one really got an advantagous position out of it.

The new self pass means that the defenders NOW need to be more aware when the ball is on the field.

I think your calls are spot.

As Hancock would say...Good Job.

[UmpireHockey.com]

Agreed. Good job.

Only a foul by the attack in the circle gives the defense a free hit from anywhere inside the circle. The defense ALSO have the choice to take it outside the circle and, when it is, the ball has to be inline with where the foul occurred up to 15 meters from the end line.

As far as what "inline" means, I typically use the following rough guidelines...

OUTDOOR -- I divide the pitch/end line into quarters...  |_|_|_|_|  ...and as long as the restart takes place in the proper quarter, we're good to go.

INDOOR --  I divide the pitch/end line into thirds...  |_|_|_|  ...and as long as the restart takes place in the proper third, we're good to go.

The only time I get a little picky is when "inline" would be within a meter of the side line.

Wait a minute. There is one other time I have to admit getting picky. I promise the players that I'll never move them a little, only a lot. But, the more I have to move a team (the ball goes over the end line next to the goal post but the defense keeps trying to take the ball out to one of the outside quarters/thirds), the pickier I get with that team. They do that once, okay, I just move them back. Then try it again, I point at the turf with my finger, rather than a broad stroke with my arm and a verbal, "Somewhere over here please."

Here's a question for everyone. If a team causes me to move them yet again, as the ball isn't in play yet, is it a possession reversal with a free hit coming in or a penalty corner for an intentional foul (delay) inside the 23 meter area? Card too?

Cheers...Cris

[dodgeyumpires]

Your choice I suppose.. all in the context of the game though. If a team were losing 1-8, why hang a PC against them?
Near the end of the game it may be 2-2 and they deliberately take it over there... What options do you have? Could be heres a yellow card for time wasting, but keep the free hit over here (aus V china, Olympics) Could be nup... free hit against you, or PC.
I suppose its up to you and if you think they are time-wasting, just pulling your leg, or the majority of the back lines minds have temporarily left them

Good question....

[Twister]

I'd use the captain as a first option to make it clear that you expect the team to take the free hit from the correct place - it's a tactical advantage more than anything else.

After that I'd probably card the captain.

I think PC is too much for a (albeit persistant) technical breach (although I suppose elsewhere we can penalise persistant technical breaches with a penalty stroke!).