1.MATCH OFFICIALS

1.1Match Officials are empowered to interpret the Rules and Regulations at their discretion and their ruling on any matter shall be final. If there is a need for a protest to be made, it shall be made in writing in line with the National Competition Rules.

1.2 The Match Official may direct any player or official to be removed from a team bench for indiscipline. This will involve the person concerned leaving the playing area, as directed by the Match Official, for the remainder of the match. Any serious instances involving either an individual or affiliated body MAY be reported as a Disrepute Offence.

1.3 The Match Official may draw the attention of the Umpires to any incident of indiscipline by any player or official from a team bench. The Umpires may then impose such personal penalty as they think fit. If the Umpires permanently (red card) or temporarily (yellow or green card) suspend a player or official from the team bench, this will require the relevant team to withdraw a player from the pitch for the duration of the suspension.

1.4 Each match result, with half-time score and details of red and yellow cards issued and goals scored (scorer, time and type of goal (field goal, penalty corner, penalty stroke)) or postponement/abandonment, must be clearly stated on the Match Report Form.

1.5 The Match Official shall time the suspension applicable for the issue of all cards by the umpire.

1.6 The top copy of the completed Match Report, along with the team-sheets, must be sent by the Match Official to the Scottish Hockey Competitions Department to arrive 3 days following the fixture. The result section shall be signed by both Team Managers, both Umpires and the Match Official.

2. DUTIES & POWERS OF MATCH OFFICIALS

GENERAL

2.1 This job description sets out the role of Match Officials while officiating at a Scottish Hockey match or any other appointed fixture.

2.2 Match Officials are appointed by Scottish Hockey. The appointments are made by the Scottish Hockey Appointments Committee.

2.3 Match Officials are responsible for ensuring that the Scottish Hockey Senior and Youth Competition Rules are followed at all times.

3. NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT

3.1 Scottish Hockey will notify all Match Officials of their appointments.

3.2 Appointments will be published monthly. All Match Officials will be informed by the appointments system which will be posted on the Scottish Hockey website within the Appointments tab.

4. MATCH DAY

Check List prior to departure from home:

4.1 Check your personal equipment. This should include:

  • Mobile telephone
  • Scottish Hockey Rules and Regulations 2015-16
  • 2 x Match Report Forms (one to be kept as a spare)
  • FIH standard stick ring
  • FIH stick bow measure (cathedral)
  • 2 x stopwatches
  • Whistle
  • Rules of Hockey book
  • Knife or scissors
  • String and/or tape
  • Pens or pencils
  • Note pad
  • Clipboard (preferably waterproof)

4.2 You should wear Scottish Hockey Technical Officials clothing as issued. Additional protective clothing may be desirable depending upon the weather conditions. You are always advised to take rain wear.

5. DUTIES UPON ARRIVAL AT VENUE

5.1 To arrive at the ground at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start or earlier if there is likely to be any doubt regarding the suitability of the pitch.

5.2 To introduce yourself to the umpires, team managers & captains.

5.3 To check the goals, nets, corner flags, pitch markings and pitch surround. Remove any debris or instruct the home club to do so, and ensure that the home club carries out any repair work as required (e.g. goal nets etc.). This is best done as early as possible so as to avoid interfering or disrupting the teams during their warm-up. Every effort should be made to have any surplus equipment (spare goals etc.) removed either entirely or to a safe distance.

5.4 If there is any doubt regarding the suitability of the pitch, consult with the umpires and team officials to decide if the pitch is fit to play or not. If there is disagreement the decision of the Technical Official shall be final.

5.5 To obtain the completed team-sheets from the team managers a minimum 30 minutes before the match is due to commence. You must check that the players are present and that shirt numbers recorded on the team-sheet correspond with those on the pitch, rectifying any that do not correspond if possible. The team lists should then be transferred to the official Match Report Form.

5.6 To check the players’ sticks with the stick ring and stick bow measure. Begin by checking all spare sticks in the stick rack/tub and then, no later than 10 minutes before the match is due to start, ask the Team Managers to instruct the players to bring their playing sticks forward for checking. Anystick not passing the stick ring, or stick bow measure, tests must be notified to the relevant team manager and placed under the Match Official’s table for the duration of the match.

5.7 To check the goalkeepers’ stick and hand protectors ensuring that any additional protection used in the warm up is removed prior to the game, where appropriate. Match Officials should also check face masks used by teams for defending penalty corners.

5.8 To ensure that the colours of the players’ kit and the umpires’ shirts are as per the published information and that there is no clash with the colours and also that the goalkeepers are wearing a shirt of a distinctive colour with the playing number on the back.

5.9 To ensure that all players entering the pitch at the start of the match are properly numbered and dressed (shirts in, socks up with shin guards worn inside). Any additional item of clothing must be of the same colour as the adjoining corresponding piece of clothing (i.e. red sweatshirt under red shirt) and very importantly, check that no player is wearing blood stained clothing.

5.10 If one or both of the umpires fail to arrive, to take the necessary action in accordance with the National Competition Rules and regulations.

5.11 To obtain the starting 11 players for each team not less than 10 minutes before the match starts.

6. DUTIES DURING THE MATCH

6.1 To make every effort to remain in the vicinity of the team benches. Do not leave the Match Officials Table Area unless absolutely necessary.

6.2 To ensure that only authorised people are on the team benches (Manager, Coach and Physio) and that each stays in the vicinity of their bench (within approximately 5 metres of it unless warming up).

6.3 To control the player substitutions (without undue interference) and ensure that the rule regarding the substitution of players at penalty corners is adhered to.

  • No player may enter the field of play until the player to be substituted has left it.
  • A player with an injury that is bleeding (and not dressed), or wearing bloodstained clothing, may not enter the field of play.

6.4 To concentrate on their duties throughout the match and pay attention to the play and all time stoppages. When the umpires stop time for injuries or penalty strokes, the Match Official is required immediately to do the same and then re-start the match at the same time.

6.5 To record the following on the match result report form:

  • The starting 11 players of each team
  • The first entry time of any player not included in the starting 11
  • Goals scored (FG = field goal, PC = penalty corner, PS = penalty stroke)
  • Green, yellow and red cards

6.6 To control the team benches -use the team managers to assist you and remain calm and polite at all times. Request that the team manager sits closest to the table. Prevent unnecessary or derogatory vocal communications directed towards the umpires and the players of the opposing team.

6.7 To direct any yellow-carded or green-carded player/s to the designated area (sin bin) and ensure that they remain there for the duration of the suspension which is timed by the Match Official.

6.8 To ensure that any individual issued with a red card is escorted completely out of the pitch area (see 6.9 below). If the individual is unwilling to depart, it is recommended that the Match Official requests the team manager to undertake this task so as not to hold up the match unnecessarily.

6.9 The offending player should be permitted to resume play once the period of suspension has been completed unless this occurs during the taking of a penalty corner in which case the player cannot return until the corner has been completed or another penalty corner is awarded. If the offending player is a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges, the umpires should be notified when the period of suspension has been completed and they stop the time at the next stoppage of play to enable that player to resume play.

7. DUTIES AFTER THE MATCH

7.1 To ensure that all relevant personnel sign the Match Report Form immediately after the match.

7.2 Each match result, with half-time score and details of red and yellow cards issued and goals scored (scorer, time and type of goal (field goal, penalty corner, penalty stroke)) or postponement/abandonment, must be communicated to the Match Official.

7.3 To send the top copy of the completed Match Report, both team-sheets and a copy of the programme to the Scottish Hockey Competitions Department to arrive 3 days following the match. The Match Result Report Form should be signed by both team managers, both umpires and the Match Official. The remaining two copies of the completed Match Result Report must be distributed to the home and away team managers.

7.4 To refrain from commenting on the performance of the umpires to anyone. If a Match Official feels it necessary and appropriate to make any comment regarding the umpiring he/she should write or telephone the appointed Umpire Manager for that specific game.

Scottish Hockey Technical Official Briefing 2016-17