Aerial shots and players intercepting them, inside the circle or just outside in a legitimate manner, have been talking points of the ongoing FIH Hockey World cup in Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela.
The opinion is divided among players and coaches on whether this should be treated as dangerous or a fair deal as long as the players maintain a mandatory five-metre distance. Coaches have reiterated that the International Hockey Federation will have to take a relook at the same.
Earlier, intercepting a falling aerial ball was considered illegitimate but now the FIH (International Hockey Federation) has granted relaxation to players in this regard. "Rule 9.10 was changed to allow for the playing of what is commonly referred to as aerial balls. The previous text did not cover the possibility for players to safely intercept a falling ball, which is now seen as both legitimate and positive to the development of the game,” states the FIH rule.
According to FIH Super coach Roelant Oltmans, “One of the most important developments is that the aerial ball has been used really differently. The attackers have had more space than before,” he told THE WEEK. “Many players and umpire referees are not happy though. Let us see what happens in the future. I have always said, for me, there is only one reason why you blow the whistle or not – whether it is dangerous or not,” said the Dutchman.
Players' safety is the prime concern as far as aerial balls go. They will continue to be closely monitored by FIH. FIH Sport Director and double-Olympian Jon Wyatt said in a statement, “Aerial balls will continue to be closely monitored by all stakeholders so that player safety can be maintained."
Talking about the issue, former India and Australia coach Ric Charlesworth told THE WEEK that overhead balls are evolving. "Umpires have had trouble with it, the players don't always understand how it will be umpired, and that's difficult. You have a problem with rules, balls on the ground can be defended; those in the air can’t be defended. You can't have two different types of passes and rules. I think there has to be some sort of reconciliation there—you have to defend some ball in the air going into your circle.”
Said former India player Jagbir Singh: “The aerial shot-defenders are mostly being punished. There will be debate and discussion on the same.”
The FIH rules are updated every two years in the month of January following the Olympic Games or FIH Hockey World Cups.