National League Rules 2011-12
If you watch the Ladies' First Team this year you may see some strange new rules. Well this is because the national league has introduced a number of changes for the 2011-2012 season. These new changes were already introduced into International hockey and the National League Premier divisions last season. However as they were only trials during last season they have not been introduced into the conferences until this season.
Green Card Suspension Rule
The first of two rule changes see's green cards now mean the receiving player serves a two minute suspension. This works like the yellow card suspension however instead of 5 minutes the player only serves 2 minutes. The suspension starts when the offending player reaches the bench and their bum hits the seat, not as soon as the umpire re-starts play. To keep the game flowing as fast as possible umpires have been instructed to re-start the game as soon as the green or yellow card has been shown.
The player must run to the table and serve their two minutes as soon as the green or yellow card is shown. Failure to do so or any player who has recieved a card who interferes in play while under suspension will recieve a new card. A player on a green will recieve a yellow and a player on yellow card will recieve a second yellow card red.
2 Yellow Cards Equals Red
Until this season in the national league a player recieving two yellow cards for the same offence would recieve a red card and serve an automatic 16 day ban. From this year however a player recieving two yellow cards for the same offence in the same game the player will still recieve a red card but will now just sit out the rest of the game and will no longer have to serve any ban. The player will recieve two yellow card on their disciplinary record rather than a red card. A player recieving a straight red card will still serve suspensions as of last year.
Yellow Cards Equal Personal Suspension
This season any player recieving 4 yellow cards in the season will recieve a match ban.
2 (6 for the season) further yellow cards will result in a further match ban.
2 (8 for the season) further yellow cards will result in a third match ban.
Any other yellow card will result in a match ban.
Breaking The Line At Penalty Corners
The second major rule change is that any player who breaks the line at a penalty corner before the ball is injected will be sent to the half-way line. The player can not be replaced with another defender and the team must defend with 3 defenders and the goalkeeper. If a goalkeeper breaks the line a defender will be sent to the half-way line in there place. If an attacker injects the ball early or enters the circle before the ball is injected they will be replaced by another attacker and sent to the half way.
Prize Money
For the first time in the national league history Prize Money will be given to the winners and runners up in the women's national league premier and conference divisions. The women's league have this year become sponsored by Investec, who have given £10,000 prize money for the national league. The prize money will be split between the following winners:
- Winners and Runners-Up of the Premier and Conference Divisions
- Best Player in Each League
- Top Goalscorer in Each League
- Most Hospitable Club in Each League
