 |
| Search |
|
|
UmpireHockey.com
is published by
Cris Maloney.
|
|
Ask The Umpire
Question: "Should an umpire card a player because the player isn't wearing a mouth guard, not wearing a proper mouth guard, or not wearing one properly?"
[ED: This question was submitted by an umpire of high school and college games in the USA.]
Believe it or not, answering this question is a little complicated -- especially for play in the USA.
DISCUSSION NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations)
Games between high schools in the USA are governed by modifications to the Rules of Hockey. These modifications are published by the NFHS.
If a player isn't wearing a mouth guard they have to be removed at the first stoppage of play AFTER the discovery of the violation.
It is IMPORTANT note that the NFHS rule book is very clear that umpire should NOT interrupt the flow of the game by stopping play in order to enforce this equipment violation. That bears repeating. The rule is enforced only AFTER there has been a stoppage of play.
Further, umpires are to send the player who is not properly equipped out of the competition and allow them to return as soon as they are properly equipped. This is done with an instruction, NOT a carding, and doesn't require a time out.
In the description for how to penalize deliberately removing or deliberately not wearing proper equipment (in this case, a mouth guard) the high school rule book says "it shall be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct" and unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as a foul in the NFHS rule book [rule #8, article #2] and it can be carded.
However, would there really ever be a time when an umpire would have to (or want to) resort to carding an athlete for deliberately removing or not wearing a mouth guard?
- Only an umpire in need of coaching thinks a player who is 60 yards away from the ball when they "deliberately" take out their mouth guard to yell out an instruction to one of their teammates has earned a card. Is THAT unsportsmanlike conduct? No.
- Only an umpire in need of coaching thinks a player earns a card because their mouth guard isn't fully set in proper position. Does THAT equate to taking out an attacker with a thrash across the shins (i.e. unsportsmanlike conduct)? No.
ANSWER NFHS: If an athlete isn't wearing their mouth guard (or isn't wearing it correctly) then when there is a stoppage of play, send the athlete out of the game (reverse possession if it is "her" team's ball). THAT is what the NFHS rule book tells you to do.
You can do that over and over again. The players will get the message (and if the players don't, their coach will). If the behavior doesn't change (i.e. the players are not wearing their mouth guard), CARD THE CAPTAIN.
Umpires have more important things to worry about then to be seen getting into an exchange with a player who isn't wearing her mouth guard. If sending a player out of the game and reversing possession hasn't worked, carding the captain is the best, most effective way to deal with this type of petty misconduct.
[ED: You might get sick of blowing your whistle for obstruction but it doesn't mean you get to card a player for obstruction just because you're tired of making the call. You might, however, have a word with the captain if you feel the captain's team is deliberately obstructing. Here's another thought, if a player wasn't wearing shin guards (also required in games between high schools in the USA) would you card that player?]
DISCUSSION NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)
In games between NCAA colleges, there is a modification to the Rules of Hockey requiring field players to wear mouth guards and not complying with the requirement is considered misconduct.
ANSWER NCAA: If an umpire sees that an athlete isn't wearing their mouth guard (or isn't wearing it correctly), he or she should simply remind them to put it in or wear it correctly.
It is not necessary, and it is bad form, to shout out an instruction as if you're making a public address announcement. Just speak to the player (in a normal voice), "I think you forgot to put your mouth guard in. We want you to go home with the same smile you came here with." Show concern not contempt.
If the player you're concerned about is on the opposite side of the field, talk with her teammate that is closest to you. Let her yell across the pitch.
[ED: At a spring game between NCAA teams an umpire was heard (couldn't not be heard) shouting out at the top of her lungs, "Put your mouth guards in! If I see one more mouth guard in a sock, I'm sending you off!" This was in the middle of play. Her tone was harsh, mean. A player shouted back, as best she could, her speech impaired by the mouth guard she was wearing, "I keep an extra mouth guard in my sock." The player sounded angry and, who wouldn't be. Only umpires who need coaching talk to players like they're misbehaving dogs.]
If the behavior doesn't change (i.e. if your nice little conversation didn't work), as recommend above with NFHS games, CARD THE CAPTAIN. The conduct of her teammates is her responsibility.
Copyright © 2002-
UmpireHockey.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
Ask The Umpire
Latest Headlines
|
|
