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NCAA News Archive - 2007
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Field hockey recommends permitting protective eyewear
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The NCAA News
The Divisions I, II and III Field Hockey Committees approved all International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules changes for the 2007-08 during their annual meetings last month, including one that will allow players to wear eye protection if they choose to do so.
Meeting jointly January 22-24 in Indianapolis, the committee will recommend to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) that the FIH modification of Rule 4.2 permitting field players to use protective eyewear or head covering throughout a match at any time be adopted. Previously, players could only wear such protective equipment for medical reasons.
This is the first year that the FIH has permitted protective head covering or eyewear in the form of plastic goggles with a soft-covered frame and plastic lenses. Until now, the only allowable protective equipment was a facemask – preferably transparent or white – that fit flush to the face. However, now that the international organization by whose rules the intercollegiate game is governed, has adjusted the wording of the policy to include goggles, the committees felt comfortable forwarding the recommendation.
The groups also requested that the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee work closely with appropriate organizations such as ASTM and equipment manufacturers on testing field hockey specific eyewear.
Other FIH rules modifications that the committees will recommend for approval by PROP relate to goalkeeper play.
In addition, the committees will recommend that the stick check take place 45 minutes before the start of each game. Currently, the stick check occurs at 70 minutes before game time; however, the committees noted that most teams don’t use a full 60 minutes to warm up and felt that while 30 minutes prior to game time was not enough time, 70 minutes was too long.
Also as part of the joint discussion, plans were made to survey coaches on the overtime procedure and the use of headphones by officials to communicate with one another. More specifically, the groups are seeking feedback on whether the current overtime policy allowing seven to a side should be modified to provide for eight (seven field players and a goalkeeper) to a side during overtime.
The groups agreed to explore the possibility of using a dimpled ball in championships played on water-based nonfilled surfaces. Presently, a smooth ball is used regardless of the surface. They also clarified that coaches may only speak with the umpire before and after the game. In addition, the committees commended last year’s championship hosts. The Divisions I and III championships were held at Wake Forest University and William Smith College, respectively. The Division II championship was contested in Pensacola, Florida, during the National Championships Festival in November of last year.
In a separate meeting, the Division I committee will recommend a modification in the secondary selection criteria that would remove results against teams already selected for championship play. The group also will recommend that the top four seeds serve as hosts for early round action regardless of geography. Currently, host sites are chosen based on geographical location, rather than seeding. Both items will be forwarded to the Division I Championships and Competition Cabinet for consideration during that body’s September meeting.
The Division I committee selected the University of Maryland and the University of Louisville as hosts for 2007 and 2008 championships, respectively. Bids for 2009 and 2010 will be issued this fall.
The Division II Field Hockey Committee reviewed its selection criteria and will recommend to the Championships Committee that effective in 2008, teams must play a minimum of six in-region contests and that effective in 2007, results versus common opponents be elevated to a primary criteria and that as part of the secondary criteria, the committee first look at head-to-head results.
As part of its meeting, the Division III group forwarded a recommendation to the Division III Championships Committee that squad size and flights for officials be increased by two, respectively. That would bring the total number of flights for officials to six. Should it gain approval, the increases could take effect during the 2008-10 budget cycle.
In other action, the committee confirmed the 2007 championship will feature a 24-team bracket and that 13 conferences will be awarded automatic qualifications. Pool sizes will be established in the fall. The group also modified the game times for first round games. For fields without lights, games should start between 1 and 2 p.m. and for fields with lights games may begin between 1 and 6 p.m. The change, the committee felt, offers host institutions more flexibility particularly when they may also be hosting soccer games.
Meeting jointly January 22-24 in Indianapolis, the committee will recommend to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) that the FIH modification of Rule 4.2 permitting field players to use protective eyewear or head covering throughout a match at any time be adopted. Previously, players could only wear such protective equipment for medical reasons.
This is the first year that the FIH has permitted protective head covering or eyewear in the form of plastic goggles with a soft-covered frame and plastic lenses. Until now, the only allowable protective equipment was a facemask – preferably transparent or white – that fit flush to the face. However, now that the international organization by whose rules the intercollegiate game is governed, has adjusted the wording of the policy to include goggles, the committees felt comfortable forwarding the recommendation.
The groups also requested that the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee work closely with appropriate organizations such as ASTM and equipment manufacturers on testing field hockey specific eyewear.
Other FIH rules modifications that the committees will recommend for approval by PROP relate to goalkeeper play.
In addition, the committees will recommend that the stick check take place 45 minutes before the start of each game. Currently, the stick check occurs at 70 minutes before game time; however, the committees noted that most teams don’t use a full 60 minutes to warm up and felt that while 30 minutes prior to game time was not enough time, 70 minutes was too long.
Also as part of the joint discussion, plans were made to survey coaches on the overtime procedure and the use of headphones by officials to communicate with one another. More specifically, the groups are seeking feedback on whether the current overtime policy allowing seven to a side should be modified to provide for eight (seven field players and a goalkeeper) to a side during overtime.
The groups agreed to explore the possibility of using a dimpled ball in championships played on water-based nonfilled surfaces. Presently, a smooth ball is used regardless of the surface. They also clarified that coaches may only speak with the umpire before and after the game. In addition, the committees commended last year’s championship hosts. The Divisions I and III championships were held at Wake Forest University and William Smith College, respectively. The Division II championship was contested in Pensacola, Florida, during the National Championships Festival in November of last year.
In a separate meeting, the Division I committee will recommend a modification in the secondary selection criteria that would remove results against teams already selected for championship play. The group also will recommend that the top four seeds serve as hosts for early round action regardless of geography. Currently, host sites are chosen based on geographical location, rather than seeding. Both items will be forwarded to the Division I Championships and Competition Cabinet for consideration during that body’s September meeting.
The Division I committee selected the University of Maryland and the University of Louisville as hosts for 2007 and 2008 championships, respectively. Bids for 2009 and 2010 will be issued this fall.
The Division II Field Hockey Committee reviewed its selection criteria and will recommend to the Championships Committee that effective in 2008, teams must play a minimum of six in-region contests and that effective in 2007, results versus common opponents be elevated to a primary criteria and that as part of the secondary criteria, the committee first look at head-to-head results.
As part of its meeting, the Division III group forwarded a recommendation to the Division III Championships Committee that squad size and flights for officials be increased by two, respectively. That would bring the total number of flights for officials to six. Should it gain approval, the increases could take effect during the 2008-10 budget cycle.
In other action, the committee confirmed the 2007 championship will feature a 24-team bracket and that 13 conferences will be awarded automatic qualifications. Pool sizes will be established in the fall. The group also modified the game times for first round games. For fields without lights, games should start between 1 and 2 p.m. and for fields with lights games may begin between 1 and 6 p.m. The change, the committee felt, offers host institutions more flexibility particularly when they may also be hosting soccer games.
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