Behind the Whistle: Goalkeeper Slide

Each week, USA Field Hockey's Umpiring Department will provide video clips for educational purposes on recent plays/calls.

Scenario: The goalkeeper comes out doing a slide tackle on a breakaway by the attack. The goalkeeper makes a clean play on the ball 3-4 meters outside the circle.

Rule 10.4: When the ball is outside the circle they are defending, goalkeepers are only permitted to play the ball with their stick.

Application: This was not a mis-timed play that might happen near the circle line. The goalkeeper was well outside the circle disregarding the rules for what a goalkeeper is permitted to do. So, not only is this intentional but also misconduct and is penalized with the award of a penalty corner and a yellow card to the goalkeeper appropriately.

Guidance: This is not a simple green card misconduct, this is so far out, that attempting to play the ball in this way is a total disregard for the rules.Had the goalkeeper played the ball more aggressively and taken out the attacker, this would be a minimum 10-minute yellow card or even possibly a red card. This type of action is an intentional breakdown of play and can be very dangerous as no one expects the goalkeeper to be playing the ball in this way that far outside the circle.

Video clips and photos are being utilized for educational purposes only and not meant to critique individual players, coaches or officials.