WHUA Player Behaviour Policy

Importantly this policy is not intended:

to be prescriptive of the sanctions which will be applied in every instance; or

to take away the umpires' ability to manage the game and apply common sense; or

to discourage a dialogue between players and umpires in appropriate circumstances.

However, this policy does represent a standard , which will be enforced by umpires in the majority of cases and against which their handling of player behaviour will be assessed.

1 ROLE OF THE CAPTAIN

Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team, including those on the bench (Rule 3.4). The importance of this rule cannot be underestimated. Umpires will expect and must receive the assistance of both captains at all times to assist their management of the game. A personal penalty may be awarded to a captain who does not exercise his responsibilities.

2 SWEARING 

Swearing is unacceptable on a hockey pitch. The umpires' will deal with all instances of audible swearing with a penalty being applied where appropriate. The penalties may include:

The upgrading or reversal of a decision as appropriate;

A verbal warning;

A green card;

A yellow card;

A red card

Offensive swearing directed at an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished, normally with a yellow/red card, as appropriate. The duration of a yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Swearing which is audible only within a short distance or which is genuinely borne out of frustration (but not in reaction to an umpires decision) will generally be dealt with by a verbal caution in the first instance, perhaps even without the game stopping. Subsequent or repeated occurrences may see more severe penalties applied.

3 DISSENT / VERBAL ABUSE

Dissent or verbal abuse directed towards an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished as appropriate and this may include a yellow/red card. The duration of a yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence. Other penalties may also be applied as necessary.

Ordinarily a captain will be invited to deal with the first instance of verbal abuse between members of his own team unless it is particularly serious. Thereafter, the umpires will apply such penalties as they see fit.

4 PERSISTENT QUESTIONING / INDIRECT DISSENT

Persistent questioning of or complaining about umpires' decisions undermines the umpire's focus on the game. Whilst there will always be individual instances of questioning the umpires' decisions during a match, as it can sometimes be a natural reaction, this should be in an appropriate and always in a civil manner. Any explanation offered by an umpire will be the end of the matter and not be subject to further discussion during the match. If player(s) fail to do so, the player(s) cannot be surprised if they are then disciplined or penalised. It is not a player's role to question decisions.

Persistent questioning, indirect comments about umpires, their decisions, non-verbal dissent (e.g. throwing away the stick, showing with their body language) and generally petulant behaviour will be dealt with in the same manner as swearing in section 2 above.

5 SURROUNDING UMPIRES

Surrounding an umpire means more than 2 players approaching an umpire to contest a decision. Surrounding umpires is unacceptable and will be punished by the umpires in every instance. On the first occasion the team captain will be awarded a green card and warned to control his players and the player(s) may also be punished. On subsequent occasions, the captain and/or offending player(s) may be awarded a yellow/red card.

6   APPEALING

Encouraging umpires to award cards to members of the opposing team is unacceptable and is not in the spirit of hockey. Players doing this (either verbally or by waving imaginary cards) will receive a minimum penalty of a green card. A second or subsequent offence will be meet with a more severe punishment

7. OFF FIELD PLAYERS, OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTERS  

It is the captains' responsibility to ensure the proper behaviour of their off field players, officials and supporters. If an umpire, other official, opposition team/player(s) or supporter(s), are abused in any way, it will be the captains' responsibility to take the appropriate action. If the captain fails to undertake this duty then the WHU's policy on "Pitch side rules of conduct" will be implemented in all cases. The umpire(s) will make the necessary report and forward to the Operations Manger/Regional Disciplinary Officer for appropriate action.

September 2007