Hockey Victoria will be adopting rule changes released by the FIH for the 2019 season.
The changes to the rules are summarised as the following:
Premier League and Premier League Reserves matches will now be in the quarter format as seen in International Hockey:
-17 minute quarters
-2 minute ¼ and ¾ time
-5 minute ½ time.
Removal of the ability to have a Player with Goalkeeping privileges
“Kicking backs” will no longer be allowed. Teams have now two options: they either play with a goalkeeper who wears full protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards, kickers and hand protectors, or they play with only field players. It is hoped that this experimental rule will enhance safety as field players will no longer have goalkeeping privileges so will not be entitled to use their body to stop shots at goal.
Defending free hits within 5m of the circle
Players other than the attacker taking the free hit must be at least five meters away, including when they are in their circle. If the attacker however chooses to take the free hit immediately, then defenders who are inside the circle and within five meters from the ball may shadow around the inside of the circle as per the explanation of the rule before 2019.
Free hits awarded inside the defensive circle
As in Indoor Hockey a defender may now take a free hit awarded in the circle anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 meters from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line.
Completion of a penalty corner
The option that a penalty corner is completed when the ball travels outside the circle for the second time has been removed from the rule book.
For a full list of hockey rules for the 2019 season please visit:
http://fih.ch/media/13164482/fih-rules-of-hockey-2019-final.pdf