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I believe that two elements are faulty in the present application of the Self-pass. The first is an interpretation of the explanation clause 13.2.b:- opponents must be at least 5 metres from the ball.The "interpretation" used is based not just on what is given in Rule explanation but on a quite different explanation given in the UMB which arises from text added to this clause.
If an opponent is within 5 metres of the ball, they must not interfere with the taking of the free hit or must not play or attempt to play the ball. If this player is not playing the ball, attempting to play the ball or influencing play, the free hit need not be delayed.
The UMB gives:-
In all situations – if taken quickly and a player is within 5 metres of the ball but is not playing, attempting to play the ball or influencing play, the taking of the free hit does not need to be delayed; this same player can play, attempt to play the ball or try to influence play, once the ball has travelled 5 metres
That addition, which I repeat is NOT an interpretation of the existing wording of the Rules of Hockey but an unauthorized addition, suggests that a retreating opponent who has not been given opportunity to retreat the full 5m required because of a quickly taken Self-pass and is "caught" within 5m of a Self-passer is not allowed to influence the playing of the ball until the ball has been moved 5m. (“once the ball has travelled 5m” also has multiple interpretations, which I will not list here)
The Rule gives only that the free hit need not be delayed if an opposing player is still within 5m of the ball.
There is no disputing that if an opponent intentionally remains within 5m of the ball i.e. does not immediately retreat from the ball when a Free-ball is awarded, does not attempt to put 5m distance between the ball and themselves, then that opponent may be subject to further penalty – card and “up(to)-10m” (which might incidentally be more usefully amended to “up(to)-23m”) if such failure to retreat does delay the taking of the Free or unfairly influence the taking of it – but to be an illicit action it must occur before the taking of the Free or as it is being taken, to influence or prevent the taking; not after the Free ball has been taken i.e. the ball has been (and is being) moved, because then the taking of the Free-ball has not been delayed. The critical point is:- When has a Free-ball been "taken" by the taker?
A retreating opponent, who has retreated at once and at reasonable speed (a speed commensurate with a need to maintain self-defence – the player may be running backwards so that the stick can be positioned for protection) has done no wrong, even if not 5m from the ball when the taker decides to play the ball. Such a player has done nothing to unfairly influence or delay the taking of the Free – and that, retreat to attempt to get 5m from the ball and not interfere until the Free is taken, is all the Rule actually requires of the players defending a Free-ball.
(Defending players should not be permitted to "hang", rather than retreat from the place of penalty and the ball, when a Free-ball is awarded, that is not Rule compliant)
If the taker of the Free decides not to wait until all opponents are (or any opponent is) 5m from the ball, but to take advantage of the time and space and opportunity immediately available, than the taker has played an advantage (one possibly not available had the taker waited until opponents were the required distance from the ball). That is the choice of the taker. Having made the choice not to wait for defenders to retreat 5m, the taker cannot then, in fairness, also demand (the umpire demand on the taker’s behalf) that 5m free movement with the ball be granted.
Once the advantage of an immediate "take" has been played, the umpire should not, then insist (be advised within the UMB) that the original 5m requirement of the Free-ball be maintained while the ball is moved a distance of 5m. To repeat:- the Rule explanation of application states only that the taking of the Free need not be delayed if opponents are still within 5m. The added 5m of ball travel is not an interpretation, there are no words in the Rules of Hockey to interpret in that way, it’s just invention.
Full article and videos via http://martinzigzag.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/field-hockey-rules-free-ball-self-pass-suggestion/
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