Equipment Information

Umpire Polo:

Please communicate with your partners prior to your assignments to coordinate wearing the same or like polos. We are encouraging your transition to the new USA FH polos:

New USAFH Polo Purchase Link:
https://hagancustomsports.com/collections/usa-field-hockey-umpire-apparel
- I recommend you purchase one of these in at least pink, and preferably have the yellow as an alternate color.

Whistle:

Use a Fox 40 Classic whistle! They are loud and emit the proper tone for everyone to hear, they are the standard for officiating worldwide. They can easily be purchased on Amazon, and other online or local retailers. I recommending always having extras in your bag!

Umpire Cards:

A set of Green, Yellow and Red misconduct cards is a requirement to carry with you during games. I recommend the following:https://hagancustomsports.com/collections/usa-field-hockey-umpire-apparel/products/field-hockey-umpire-penalty-cards-usafh-branded I recommending always having an extra set in your bag!

Training Information:

Video - 2021 USA FH Rules Briefing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfT337Iz0KE

PDF - High Balls: Dangerous or Not? (NFHS)

Video - Dangerous shot
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=167311034609010
 The defender is playing legitimate defense when the ball hits their body, therefore it is a free hit to the defense for a dangerously played ball. Legitimate defense is defined by a player either marking an attacker, or within 5 yards of the player shooting the ball AND attempting to defend that player.

Video - Danger Off Post
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/Features/2020/September/17/Behind-the-Whistle-Danger-Off-the-Goal-Post
 
Clip 1 - Attacker caused the danger. Free hit awarded to defense.
Clip 2 - Ball deflected off goalie into danger. Penalty corner awarded to attack.

Video - No Legitimate Defense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ND1JayZJg&t=2s
 
The defender turned to the attacker taking the shot with the intent of protecting the goal like a goalkeeper, thus putting herself in a dangerous position from an otherwise legal shot at goal. With the goalkeeper nearby, this may not have prevented a sure goal which would have been a penalty stroke, but the defender allowed for her body to be used to defend a legal shot, thus a penalty corner would have been appropriate.

Video - Defender "Playing Goalie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm2c6AeWOKc
 
The defender is within 5 yards of the shooter, but not playing the ball. Therefore the defender is not considered to be playing legitimate defense and is not awarded a foul for danger. The ball goes off the defender's body into the goal, advantage is played, and a goal is correctly awarded.
 
Topic - Penalty Strokes
 
Video - Foul On The Goal Line
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/Features/2020/July/30/Behind-the-Whistle-Penalty-Stroke-or-Not
 
The push from the attack toward the goal is deflected by a defender which goes into the body of a teammate standing in front of the goal. If you believe the ball is on-cage and this foul prevented a probable goal then a stroke should be awarded. If you believe the ball is not on-cage then a penalty corner should be awarded. 
 
Video - Intentional Foul Inside The Circle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkw2Qu_gGws
 
An intentional foul by the defense inside the circle should result in a penalty stroke. The defender intentionally plays the body of the attacker and the umpire correctly awards a penalty stroke.
 
Video - Empty Net Foul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOXU5AtXs44
 
The goalie misses the ball and obstructs the attacker bringing her to the ground. This foul prevented a probable goal and a penalty stroke was correctly awarded. If the goalie were to get the ball this is very likely no foul at all.
 
Topic - How To Administer A Penalty Stroke
 
Video - Penalty Stroke Basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HootCL3ej1Y
 
Video - Advantage on Penalty Stroke
https://fhumpires.com/how-to-apply-the-rules-of-hockey-penalty-stroke-taken-before-the-whistle/
 
Situation 1 - Stroker goes before whistle and misses - Advantage = No goal
Situation 2 - Stroker goes before whistle and scores - Retake Stroke
Situation 3 - Goalie moves early and goal is scored - Advantage = Goal
Situation 4 - Goalie moves early and blocks goal - Retake Stroke