Dear Marge, In a recent match a player took a 16 yard hit out and it lifted. The umpire blew and declared the hit dangerous although it did not seem to be. The ensuing “discussion” meant that a short corner was given. Surely this is an unfair advantage to the attacking team? Aggrieved
Dear Aggrieved, There are two points to make here – one, that danger is at the discretion of the umpire and we have to respect their judgement. The second is that if players want to “discuss” issues that arise during the game then an umpire can upgrade the penalty already given. The matter of the lifted ball is always difficult but I would be asking was the defensive player taking the hit trying to play the ball on the ground and it was a lack of skill that caused it to rise, or was she hitting at the ball in a manner which would cause it to rise? If the answer was the former, ie a lack of skill, then ask if the ball went near to any player making them duck or move quickly out of the way? If not then play on – if players had to take evasive action then blow for a foul. If the answer was the latter, ie the player was hitting at the ball in a manner which would cause the ball to rise then blow immediately. |
|---|
