Playing Conduct

Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team, including those on the bench (Rule 3.4). The importance of this rule cannot be underestimated. Umpires will expect and must receive the assistance of both captains at all times to assist their management of the game. A personal penalty will be awarded to a captain who does not exercise his/her responsibilities.

Swearing is unacceptable on a hockey field. All instances of audible swearing will be dealt with by the umpires with a personal and/or team penalty being applied where appropriate. The personal penalties may include:

A verbal warning;
A green card; or
A yellow
A team penalty will result in the upgrading or reversal of a decision as appropriate.

Swearing directed at an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished with a yellow card. The duration of the yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Swearing which is audible only within a short distance or which is genuinely borne out of frustration (but not in reaction to a decision of the umpires) will generally be dealt with by a verbal caution in the first instance, perhaps even without the game stopping. Subsequent or repeated occurrences will see more severe penalties applied.

Dissent or verbal abuse directed towards an umpire, about the decision of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished with a yellow card. The duration of the yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence. Team penalties may also be applied.

Ordinarily a captain will be invited to deal with the first instance of verbal abuse between members of his/her own team unless it is particularly serious. Thereafter, the umpires will apply such penalties as they see fit.

Persistent questioning of or complaining about umpires’ decisions undermines their authority and is unacceptable. Whilst there will always be individual instances of questioning the umpires’ decisions during a match, this should ordinarily be undertaken by the captain and always in an appropriate manner. Any explanation offered by an umpire will be the end of the matter and not be subject to further discussion during the match.

Persistent questioning, indirect comments about umpires, their decisions, non-verbal dissent (e.g. throwing away the stick) and generally petulant behaviour will be dealt with in the same manner as swearing in section 2 above.

Surrounding an umpire means more than 2 players approaching an umpire to contest a decision. Surrounding umpires is unacceptable and will be punished by the umpires in every instance. On the first occasion the team captain will be awarded a green card and warned to control his players. On subsequent occasions, the captain and/or offending players may be awarded a yellow card.

Encouraging umpires to award cards to members of the opposing team is unacceptable. Players doing this (either verbally or by waving imaginary cards) will receive a minimum penalty of a green card.

A number of complaints have been received over the years about players urinating at the side of the pitch or generally in public and they are particularly significant if such occurrences happen at schools and other public or private facilities. Players urinating at the side of the pitch is unacceptable. Umpires are now expected to speak to the Captain of the team, obtain the name(s) of the offender(s) and inform the Captain that a Match Day Misconduct (MMO) is to be made.