Auto-pass rule to be used in interpros

The ‘auto-pass’ rule, used to such success in the Irish Hockey League, is to be introduced for the senior interprovincials at Garryduff in March. The Irish Hockey Association yesterday announced that the rule – which essentially allows players to take free hits to themselves, without the need to pass to another player – will make a further appearance in the calendar, following the FIH’s decision to bring it into all international hockey from May onwards. The IHA’s competitions committee approved a recommendation from high performance director Dave Passmore and national coaches Gene Muller and Paul Revington to implement the rule, which has proved a hit in the IHL having initially been implemented in the EuroHockey League.

Passmore said: “The inclusion of the auto pass rule in the IHL has been very well received by coaches, players and spectators alike.  It was of no surprise that the FIH have now introduced the rule at international level from May. “The inclusion of this rule at both IHL and now interpro level has been an innovative venture that will help give our players an added edge moving forward, whilst making the game faster, easier to watch and more entertaining.” The rule states that on the taking of a hit from a dead-ball situation (including a free hit awarded by an umpire, a 15m hit, a sideline hit-in, a (long) corner, a hit-off from the centre line) all players of both teams, other than the person taking the hit, shall be 5m from the ball. This variation shall apply anywhere on the pitch, but, for every free hit by the attacking team for an offence which occurred within 5m of the opponent’s circle, the hit must be taken from a spot 5m outside the circle line. A team may opt for an ‘auto pass’ play, whereby, with the ball completely stationary, the taker of the free hit moves the ball before continuing with the ball in his possession in open play (in effect passing to him/herself). The player taking a hit shall not be allowed, on his initial contact with the ball, to raise or throw the ball, but once the player has moved the ball by 1m they are free to play any stroke permitted by the rules, subject to the danger rules.