[Uwh-announce] Rule of the Week-The Stick (as opposed to the Stig)

[Sinclair, Angus (DEDTA)]

G'day all,
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.

I got some interesting questions last night.

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.

As for the Stig, you cannot use him as he is only white, is too long, and is not made of approved materials.

So to the more interesting bits.

Q1 I was asked if you could "open your hand" and knock the puck down by contacting the handle of your stick.
That's ok right?
Short answer: No.
Long answer:
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.
And:
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.

This includes putting your hand over the puck when it's on the bottom.


Q2. It's OK to use two hands when you're up against a defender like me, Mark Lewis or any other mountainous defender?
Short answer: No.
Long answer:

14 1.4 The stick may be held in either the right or left hand; changing playing hands is allowed.

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).
14.1.6 The free hand may not be used to support the stick, stick hand, or arm whilst in possession of the puck.

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.

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.......

As always:
Regardless of what you think of the call, it's what it is. Live with it, and move on.

See you all poolside!

Angus Sinclair
Chief Referee, Tasmania Underwater Hockey

P 03 6237 6401 | F 03 6233 5800
M 0427 501 890
email: angus.sinclair at development.tas.gov.au<mailto:angus.sinclair at development.tas.gov.au>


________________________________

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
The information in this transmission may be confidential and/or protected by legal professional privilege, and is intended only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you are not such a person, you are warned that any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised. If you have received the transmission in error, please immediately contact this office by telephone, fax or email, to inform us of the error and to enable arrangements to be made for the destruction of the transmission, or its return at our cost. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://vm.hovo.id.au/pipermail/uwh-announce/attachments/20130418/2996a744/attachment.html>