Behind the Whistle: Aerial Dribble in the Circle Danger
by USA Field Hockey
Each week, USA Field Hockey's Umpiring Department will provide video clips for educational purposes on recent plays/calls.
Video clips and photos are being utilized for educational purposes only and not meant to critique individual players, coaches or officials.
Watch the below video and then answer the quiz question below.
From this angle, the first question is…Is the lift to an aerial dribble safe? The ball appears presented for the defender in white to play it cleanly, but it is a situation where the ball is in the air and two players are trying to play it, which can be very dangerous in this close proximity. The defender cannot be expected to not attempt to play the ball.
The second question is…Does the attacker uses her body to attempt to shield the defender from playing the ball? These are not easy aspects to see from the umpire’s position. With either of the aspects mentioned and from the angle of the camera this should be a free hit out for the defense as the danger and the shielding occurred before any possible stick interference.
Guidance: Be prepared to move in the circle, even when the ball is in tight areas, to keep a sight line on the ball and the play. It is possible in this instance that the GK impeded the umpire’s sight line while the ball was in the air, thus not being able to call what cannot be seen.
Please keep in mind that we are looking at this from a different angle of the umpire. Video clips and photos are being utilized for educational purposes only and not meant to critique individual players, coaches or officials.