18. What kind of situations involving rules or interpretations have actually occurred in matches and how have they been handled?

This happens quite often – because the game is continually developing and it is right that people playing the game lead those developments.

A good example of a change of rules as an outcome of match experience is the one which permits a defender to stop a shot at goal with their stick above the height of the shoulder. A brilliant save of a high shot in the past would be penalised and therefore was not understood widely by players or spectators.

The Hockey Rules Board responded to this match scenario and now permits defenders to use their stick to stop the shot at any height so long as their action is safe.

Another example was concern during matches about saves by goalkeepers where they may have used their hand to propel the ball even though, at the time, this was not permitted.  The rules were relaxed in 2007/8 so that goalkeepers have more flexibility in their actions while doing their fundamental job –stopping their opponents from scoring!