Fall Sports: Field Hockey

Field Hockey Handbook

FIELD HOCKEY PLAYOFF HANDBOOK

PIAA District One Chairperson
Dr. Mike Barber

District One Executive Director
Sean Kelly – skelly@piaa.org | 267-884-1028

District One Field Hockey Chairperson
Sheila Murphy - sheila.murphy14001@comcast.net | 215-676-1622

GENERAL STATEMENT

District One Field Hockey Playoff contests are conducted under the authority of the PIAA District One Committee and in accordance with the PIAA Constitution, By-Laws, Policies, and NFHS Field Hockey Rules. Participation in the District One Field Hockey Playoffs constitutes agreement to comply with all PIAA and District One rules and procedures.

The District One Committee reserves the right to adjust dates, times, locations, and management procedures when deemed necessary for the safety of participants, officials, and spectators, or for the orderly conduct of the tournament.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

Entry into the District One Field Hockey Playoffs is voluntary. Schools that qualify for and enter the tournament agree to abide by all District One and PIAA regulations governing postseason play.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND CLASSIFICATIONS

District One Field Hockey Playoffs will be conducted by classification as established by PIAA. Tournament format, including single-elimination and any playback games, and the number of teams qualifying for the PIAA State Championships will be determined annually by the District One Committee and communicated prior to the seeding meeting.

TOURNAMENT DATES AND GAME TIMES

Official District One playoff dates and recommended game times will be posted on the District One website. Requests to adjust game dates or start times must be mutually agreed upon by both competing schools and approved in advance by the District One Field Hockey Chair and District One Office.

Any postponed contest is expected to be played on the next available playable date.

PLAYOFF SEEDING AND POWER RATING SYSTEM

Teams will be selected and seeded by using the approved District One power rating system. All opponents on a team’s schedule are included in the power ranking calculation. All regular season contests must be completed by the published deadline prior to the seeding meeting.

· District One Postseason league playoff and championship contests do not count toward power ratings.

· Postseason league playoff and championship contests for non- District One opponents do count towards their overall records.

SEEDING MEETING

A seeding meeting will be conducted via Zoom for all schools eligible for the District One Field Hockey Playoffs. The meeting is open. All coaches and athletic administrators are encouraged to attend.

HOST ATHLETIC DIRECTORS MEETING

A Host Athletic Directors Meeting will be conducted via Zoom for all schools hosting District One playoff contests. Tournament policies, site responsibilities, and game management expectations will be reviewed. Attendance is mandatory for host schools.

HOME TEAM DESIGNATION AND UNIFORMS

DISTRICT ONE Playoffs

HOME Team - The higher-seeded team shall be the HOME team and shall wear DARK jerseys and socks.

VISITING TEAM - The lower-seeded team shall be the VISITING team and shall wear WHITE jerseys and socks.

PIAA STATE Playoffs

HOME TEAM - The Team at the TOP of the pairing in the brackets shall be the HOME Team for all first round through and including semi-finals, and, therefore, shall wear DARK jerseys and socks.

VISTING TEAM - The Team at the BOTTOM of the pairing in the brackets shall be the VISITING Team for all first round through and including semi-finals, and, therefore, shall wear WHITE jerseys and socks.
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

BALL RUNNERS - Each competing school is required to provide two (2) ball runners for each contest. Ball runners shall wear a pinnie to be easily identified. Runners will be located on the sideline in front of their team bench, and the other ball runner will be located on the sideline directly across the field from the team bench. The ball runners are under the direct supervision of the chair official.

GAME BALLS - Each team must provide 6 NFHS approved field hockey balls of the same color (white, orange, yellow). The game officials will decide the color of the ball to be used for the entire game. No rubber balls are permitted. For night games white or yellow balls will be recommended. (The PIAA does not supply game balls).

EXPECTATIONS FOR GAME COMPETITON SURFACE

Correct Field markings in accordance to NHFS rules.
4 corner flags
2 markers placed to designate the player substitution area.
The host school is required to provide a timing device and a table at mid-field
Official Scorer’s table.
- Placed at the 50 yard line and 5 yards from the sideline.
- A timer present at the scorer’s table
- If a game is played in the stadium, have a communication device at the scorer’s table to communicate with the press box.
- An audible sound device to end quarters, the half and the completion of the contest.
- If there is no scoreboard, a working game clock and / or stopwatch shall be placed at the scorer’s table.
- If there is no scoreboard, a device to indicate the score of the contest shall be placed at the scorer’s table.
- Penalty chairs for suspended players should located by the scorer’s table.
- An official scorer will record the line up and rosters for each team prior to the game.
- All nets and goal cages must be in proper condition and comply with NFHS rules.

PIAA OFFICIALS

PIAA-registered officials (2) will be assigned by District One. One additional (1) alternate/table umpire will be assigned for each District Field Hockey Contest as the alternate/table umpire.

District One will be responsible for paying official’s fees. Assigned officials will be communicated to host schools in advance of the contest.

Host schools are expected to provide appropriate security when officials arrive and depart from the facility.

MEDICAL COVERAGE

A certified athletic trainer is recommended for all District One Field Hockey contests. When available, schools are encouraged to bring their own athletic trainer and necessary supplies for neutral site contests.

PRE-GAME MEETING

A mandatory pre-game meeting will be conducted ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the contest. The meeting shall include the contest manager, assigned officials, head coaches, team captains, and an administrative representative from each school. The PIAA / League Sportsmanship Statement shall be read prior to the beginning of the game.

PRACTICE AND PRE-CONTEST WARM-UPS

Single Games: Teams shall be provided with thirty (30) minutes of warm-up time on the competition surface prior to the contest. Teams can begin to warm up prior to thirty (30) minutes with mutual agreement.

Double/Triple Headers: When competing as the second or third game of a double/triple header, teams shall be provided twenty (20) minutes of warm-up time on the competition surface prior to the contest.

Practice or warm-ups on the competition field during halftime or by teams not currently competing at the site are prohibited.

INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SUSPENDED CONTESTS

Contests will be played as scheduled whenever possible. Decisions regarding postponement prior to the start of a contest shall be made by the contest manager in consultation with the District One Field Hockey Chairperson. Once a contest begins, authority rests with the officials and the site manager.

Any contest suspended due to circumstances beyond control shall resume from the point of suspension unless the contest is declared an official Contest.

Official contest is determined when (1) complete half (completion of the second quarter) or more of the Contest has been played and one Team has scored the greater number of goals.

If play is suspended prior to the completion of the second quarter, the Contest shall be treated as a Suspended Contest.

If play is called after completion of the second quarter, but the Contest remains tied, the Contest shall be treated as a Suspended Contest.

A Suspended Contests shall be continued from the point of suspension at the same venue and a time later that day or on the next playable day as determined by the District office or the Field Hockey Chairperson.

GOAL DIFFERENTIAL / RUNNING CLOCK RULE

By PIAA Board of Directors adoption, a running clock shall be implemented in the second half when one team gains a five (5) goal differential over its opponent. The running clock begins as soon as the center pass is taken after the fifth goal is scored.

PLAYOFF OVERTIME AND TIE-BREAKER PROCEDURES

Two 10-Minute Overtime Procedure for District and Inter-District Play

1. Prior to the start of overtime, there shall be a 5-minute intermission.

2. Home team captain calls the coin toss, and the winner chooses choice of (1) goal or (2) to take possession of the ball.

3. Teams will be limited to 6 field players and a goalkeeper. The reduced player participation is referred to as “RP” overtime.

4. If a player or coach was disqualified (red card) during the regulation game, that team must play short throughout the RP overtime. If a player was suspended with a green card during the regulation game the team shall play short until the suspension time is completed. If a player or coach was suspended with a yellow card during the regulation game the Team shall play short until the suspension time is completed.

5. Only four defenders will be allowed behind the end line on a penalty corner.

6. The RP overtime will be 10 minutes "sudden victory" [SV].

7. There will be unlimited substitution.

8. A player who received a red card in regulation play may not play in the RP overtime.

9. If a player or coach receives a red card in overtime, the team will play short.

10. If a player receives a green or yellow card in overtime, the team will play short until the 2/5/10 minutes expire.

11. If a coach receives a yellow card in the overtime the team will play short until the 5-minute suspension expires.

12. If a coach receives a red card during overtime the team will play short throughout the RP overtime.

One-On-One Shoot-Out, Tie-Breaking Procedure

1. For the District, Inter-District and Championship games there shall be two, 10 minute, RPSV overtime periods. Teams will change ends before the second 10-minute RP overtime, if necessary. If the game is still tied after the second 10 minute, RPSV overtime, One-On-One Shoot-Out will be administered.

2. There is a 5-minute intermission between the game and the first overtime and between the first and second overtime.

3. Each coach shall present 5 players for the One-On One Shoot-Out. The shots will be taken by the players in the order determined by the coach. The five players from each Team will attempt the shots on goal on an alternate basis and the team scoring the most goals is declared the winner. The 5 shooters and coach shall stand at the 25-yard line. All other players, coaches and team personnel shall be at the 50-yard line.

4. Officials choose the goal that will be used during the One-on-One Shoot- Out.

5. Visiting captain calls the coin toss for the One-On-One Shoot-Out and chooses whether to defend or take the first shot.

6. If a tie still exists after the first set of the One-On-One Shoot-Out, each coach shall present 5 players for the One-On-One Shoot-Out. The shots will be taken by the players in the order determined by the coach. “Sudden Victory” shots will be taken on an alternative basis. This procedure will continue until the tie is broken. The team not taking the first shot in the first set of the One-On-One Shoot-Out shall start the “Sudden Victory” One-On-One Shoot-Out.

7. The team may substitute and change the order of players participating in the “Sudden Victory” One-On-One Shout Out during all 5-minute intermissions.

8. If a green or yellow card is received in the second overtime period, (4th quarter/or 10-minute RPSV if played in a Regular Season Tournament) and the suspension time is not completed, that player may not participate in the One-On-One Shoot-Out.

9. The One-On-One Shoot-Out shall be conducted with follow-up shots permitted.

10. To begin the One-On-One Shoot-Out procedure:

a. The ball is placed at the center of the 25-yard line.

b. The attacker stands outside the 25-yard line near the ball.

c. The goalkeeper starts on or behind the goal line between the goal posts.

d. The official blows the whistle to signal the start of the shootout. The attacker and the goalkeeper may then move in any direction.

11. The One-On-One Shoot Out is completed under the following conditions:

a. 8 seconds has elapsed.

b. A goal is scored.

c. The attacker commits a foul.

d. The ball goes out of play over the end line or sideline. This includes the goalkeeper intentionally playing the ball over the end line. (No Retake)

e. The goalkeeper commits an unintentional foul within the circle, which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal, the One-One One Shoot-Out is retaken.

f. The goalkeeper commits a deliberate foul inside the 25 yard-line, but outside the circle, the One-On-One Shootout is retaken. Example: Plays the ball outside the circle with her kicker.

g. The ball becomes lodged in the goalkeeper’s protective equipment or clothing when she is in her own circle; the One-On-One Shootout is retaken.

h. A Penalty Stroke is awarded because:

i. A goal probably would have been scored if a foul by the goalkeeper had not occurred in the circle.

ii. Any deliberate foul committed by the goalkeeper inside the circle which stops a potential goal or deprives the attacker of actual or likely possession of the ball.

12. Any player eligible to participate in the One-On-One Shootout may take a Penalty Stroke.

13. All the Penalty Stoke Provisions of Rule 11 apply in the taking of the Penalty Stroke.

14. If during a One-On-One Shoot-Out a player or goalkeeper is suspended (carded), the player or goalkeeper is prohibited from further participation in the One-On-One Shoot-Out.

SITE AND GAME MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The site manager and game manager are responsible for ensuring proper staffing, security, facility readiness, and overall contest administration in accordance with District One policies.

Principals and Athletic Directors are responsible for supervising their respective students, spectators, and school personnel.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND SPECTATOR DECORUM

District One playoff contests are conducted with the expectation of good sportsmanship from all participants and spectators. Prohibited items and behaviors include artificial noisemakers, unsporting signage, throwing of objects, and disruptive conduct. Spectators are prohibited from entering the field of play before, during, or after the contest until all teams and officials have exited the competition area.

ADMISSION, TICKETING, AND PASSES

All District One Field Hockey Playoff contests played in a stadium or enclosed field will utilize digital ticketing through Hometown Ticketing. Ticket prices will be established annually by the District One Committee. Cash sales are now permitted.

All team personnel must enter the contest site together.

Comp tickets for Administrators must be requested through the District One office.

Only District One Committee and Steering Committee passes will be honored. League, coach, or officials passes will not be accepted.

MEDIA AND BROADCASTING

The District One Committee reserves all rights to audio, video, and digital coverage of District One playoff contests. Any broadcast, livestream, or recording requires prior written approval from the District One Office.

POSTGAME PROCEDURES

Postgame handshakes, awards, and team departures shall be conducted in an orderly manner under the direction of the contest manager and school administration. Spectators are not permitted on the field of play.

AWARDS AND ADVANCEMENT

District One Champions and Runners-Up will receive trophies and (22) medals as determined annually by the District One Committee.

Teams are asked to provide a numerical roster before each contest.

Schools advancing to the PIAA State Championships must comply with all PIAA entry requirements, deadlines, and procedures.

REPORTING PLAYOFF RESULTS

Game managers / Coaches are requested to contact the Sport Chairperson and/or District One Office immediately following the conclusion of the contest with the score and any pertinent information regarding the game.