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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">G’day all,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Yep, I neglected to put out a rule of the week before play this week. Why so you ask? Well, basically because I didn’t get any really curly questions, apart from one relating to unsportsmanlike play, and I’ve recently
covered that. I’ll get back onto that one later in the year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I got some interesting questions last night.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">I’ve been quizzed about the humble stick this week. So here are some more technical bits about it, other than it’s either black or white (yes, the two are mutually exclusive, and if you get to finals with a stick that
resembles a Venn diagram, go get some paint and fix it BEFORE we rule it unusable), glove is not the same colour, and it fits in that magic box of 100mmX350mmX50mm. See rules 11.3.7 in Volume 2 of the rules for more details.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">As for the Stig, you cannot use him as he is only white, is too long, and is not made of approved materials.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">So to the more interesting bits. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Q1 I was asked if you could “open your hand” and knock the puck down by contacting the handle of your stick.
<br>
That’s ok right?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Short answer: No.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Long answer:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt">14.1.1 Only the “playing area of the stick” may be used to move the puck. The “playing area” is that area of the stick not covered by the player’s hand when the stick is gripped in a natural manner
excluding any part of the stick, which extends past the protected little finger.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt">And:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt">11.3.7.7 The “playing area” of the stick is that area not covered by the protected hand and forward of the thumb and index finger where they rest on the stick. The puck may not be played with
the portion of the stick that may protrude from the heel of the protected hand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This includes putting your hand over the puck when it’s on the bottom.</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Q2. It’s OK to use two hands when you’re up against a defender like me, Mark Lewis or any other mountainous defender?
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Short answer: No.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Long answer:</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">14 1.4 The stick may be held in either the right or left hand; changing playing hands is allowed.
</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">14.1.5 A player may have two hands on the stick when not in possession of the puck (e.g. trying to achieve a streamlined position when sprinting toward a puck at the Centre Point of the playing area or trying
to retrieve a dropped stick). </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt">14.1.6 The free hand may not be used to support the stick, stick hand, or arm whilst in possession of the puck.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt">So, there you have it. Now you know what the stick is all about. If you need more info, go to the website and check out the rules.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt">Just as an aside, a big thank you to Razor (who makes bloody good sticks-and sells them at a great price: even lefties) for cooking up a storm up at drinks last night. The bangers will most likely
be back on again next week. Watch this space for more…….</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; color:black">As always:</span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:black">Regardless of what you think of the call, it’s what it is. Live with it, and move on.</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:black">See you all poolside!</span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D">Angus Sinclair</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D">Chief Referee, Tasmania Underwater Hockey</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D">P 03 6237 6401 | F 03 6233 5800</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D">M 0427 501 890</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt; color:#1F497D">email:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; color:black">
<a href="mailto:angus.sinclair@development.tas.gov.au">angus.sinclair@development.tas.gov.au</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
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