Rangitikei Hockey Association

Rangitikei Hockey Association Rules - to be updated for 2024

2024 Season

All players, team management and supporters are expected to follow Fair Play principles as set our in our Fair Play Agreement

Kwik Sticks (Years 7/8, 11-a-side, Friday night draw)

All games will be played to NZ hockey rules as per rule book.
Reminder - Long corners – if the ball travels over the baseline touched by the defending team the attacking team takes it directly in line with where the ball went out at the top of the yard line. The ball MUST still travel 5mtrs before entering the circle.
Reminder - Any infringements that now occur inside the blue dotted line at the top of the penalty corner circle are now taken form where that infringement happened. The ball MUST still travel 5mtrs before entering the circle and all players need to be 5metres from the ball. It is NOT taken back to the top of the dotted line.
Substitutions are to be made from halfway line. The only people other than the players and umpires allow on the turf are the manager and coach of the team. The coach, manager and subs are to stay in the area immediately in front of the team’s box and must not impede the umpire. (STAY WELL BACK FROM THE SIDELINE).
Games will consist of two 25 minute halves with a 3 minute break for half time
Umpires will be supplied, these will be college aged children. Please respect that they will be still gaining confidence in this role and this is not NHL so mistakes will happen.
Umpires are in charge of recording and keeping score cards up to date. Coaches a required to sign the score card at the end of the game.
Coaches and spectators can offer positive encouragement to players. At no time should there be negative or derogatory comments directed at players, umpires or coaches. If anyone has an issue with a player, coach, umpire or any aspect of a game then they are to ensure this is put in writing and forwarded to the President of Rangitikei Hockey for further action, if required.
To foster good sportsmanship teams should shake hands at the conclusion of the game and umpires should be thanked.

Kiwi Sticks (Years 5/6, 6-a-side, Friday afternoon draw)

The game will be played on the half of the Fielding High School turf or the Rangitikei College turf. Games are 20 minute halves with a 3 minute halftime.
The umpire with captains will decide who hits off / direction of play.
Substitutions are to be made from halfway line i.e. by the full field goal. The only people other than the players and umpires allow on the turf are the manager and coach of the team who are to stay by one side of the full field goal.
When the ball passes over the back line and last touched an attackers stick (and it's not a goal), a defender takes the ball up to the 10m line level with the top of the 10m circle and in a line straight from where it went over the back line and takes a free hit.
a. Attackers must stand 5 metres from the ball.
When the ball passes over the back line and last touched a defenders stick (and it's not a goal), an attacker takes the ball up to the 10m line level with the top of the 10m circle and in a line straight from where it went over the back line and takes a free hit.
a. All players must stand 5 metres from the ball.
b. The ball MUST still travel 5mtrs before entering the ‘D’ area.
If a defender deliberately hits the ball over the backline a ‘penalty corner hit’ is awarded as below.
Any breach of rules (e.g. accidental feet; obstruction; hacking; back of stick) within the 10m circle by a defender then the attacking team will be awarded a penalty corner. Defenders have 5 behind the goal line, the 6trh player goes up past half way to the attacking teams 10 metre line
To score a goal, the ball must be pushed or deflected by an attacker inside the 10 meter circle and pass entirely over the baseline between the goal uprights. If it deflects off a defenders stick after touching an attackers stick in the 10m circle it is still a goal.
Penalty Shot- If the feet are deliberately used to stop a shot at goal (as opposed to accidental as in #8 above). The attacking team is given a penalty shot at goal.
a. The width of the goal is narrowed to 2 metres.
b. On the umpire's whistle an attacker takes a ''free'' penalty shot at the goal from a spot 5m out from the baseline in the centre of the goal.
c. All other players from both teams shall stand outside the 10m circle whilst the penalty shot is being taken.
d. A goal is awarded if the ball passes entirely over the baseline between the cones.
e. If the ball fails to do this, the game is restarted by a 10m free hit to the defence.
An umpire will be supplied- these will be college aged children respect that they will be still gaining confidence in this role. Please note Kiwi Stick games are hard to umpire due to the variation on normal rules.
Umpires are to ensure the SAFETY of the players ensuring: tackling is only 1 on 1 there is no hacking, no hitting or lifting sticks. There is no hitting with the reverse of the stick there is no deliberate lifting of the ball slap hits i.e. stick moved parallel along the ground are allowed so long as the ball isn’t raised.

While the above rules are important, an umpire should ensure a flowing game and ‘advantage' is played correctly.
Umpires need to ensure players acting in a dangerous manner are made aware of what they are doing wrong.
Players who have an injury that involve blood should be immediately substituted from the field.
Goalies are allowed - They MUST be kitted up in a full set of goalie gear.
NO kicking full backs allowed.
Auto pass is permitted.
Coaches and spectators can offer positive encouragement to players. At no time should there be negative or derogatory comments directed at players, umpires or coaches. If anyone has an issue with a player, coach, umpire or any aspect of a game then they are to ensure this is put in writing and forwarded to the President of Rangitikei Hockey for further action, if required.
Umpires are in charge of recording and keeping score cards up to date. Coaches a required to sign the score card at the end of the game.
To foster good sportsmanship teams should shake hands at the conclusion of the game and umpires should be thanked.

Mini Sticks (Years 3/4, 6-a-side, Saturday morning draw)

Coaches are to umpire as children are often new to hockey and will need plenty of guidance.
It is acceptable to have a Kwik stick or secondary player umpiring the game so long as they are aware of the guidance needed at this level of hockey.
Games are 15 minute halves with a 3 minute half time.
Rules are to be the same as the Kiwi Sticks, except there is no auto pass and there are no goalies
It is important that umpires stop the game explain what is happening and spread the children out before restarting the game.
Players at this level should be encouraged to maintain good control of the ball by pushing the ball, no hitting.
Coaches and spectators can offer positive encouragement to players. At no time should there be negative or derogatory comments directed at players, umpires or coaches. If anyone has an issue with a player, coach, umpire or any aspect of a game then they are to ensure this is put in writing and forwarded to the President of Rangitikei Hockey for further action, if required.
To foster good sportsmanship teams should shake hands at the conclusion of the game.
Scoring - Rangitikei Hockey Association has determined Mini Sticks to be a non-competitive grade and therefore does not require scores to be recorded. However, coaches may keep score of a game for their own purposes.

Cancellations

If games are cancelled due to the weather, the RHA Coordinator will notify the school/club coordinators via email or text who will then notify their coaches.

A cancellation notice will be posted to the Rangitikei Hockey Facebook Page.

Cancelled games may be played at a later date as determined by the RHA Committee, please stick to the dates on the draw.

Defaults

If a team is unable to feild players for a scheduled match then that team is in default. The defaulting team may choose to forfeit the match or, if known in advance, approach the opposition coach about rescheduling the game.

It is the responsibility of the defaulting team's coach to advise the opposition coach that they are not able to play the scheduled match. The teams may agree to play the match at a mutually agreed alternative day and time within a reasonable period of the originally scheduled match. The defaulting team is responsible for securing a venue and umpires for the rescheduled match, any associated costs, ie paying for lights, and advising the RHA Coordinator of the game result.

If the defaulted game is on the last day of competition play for the season then the rescheduled match must be played prior to the original game date so semifinals and finals draws are not disrupted.

Complaints Process

Rangitikei Hockey has a complaint process in place.

If you have a complaint regarding a game under no circumstances are umpires to be approached.

If you have an issue with a player, parent or coach within your school team then the coach, school coordinator or principal should be contacted.

If you have an issue with an umpire or another school’s player, coach or parent then the President (Paulette Bremner) should be contacted.

Email [email protected]