ref'n'roll
11-20-2006, 06:27 PM
Professional Inline Hockey Association (PIHA)
Adopts New Standard of Play for 2006-2007 Season
From Rick Pohlig, PIHA National Referee-In-Chief
November 16, 2006
The New Standard of Play is an initiative that is underway not only in the U.S., but globally as well. Not only are USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine adopting this new standard, but Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation, the Federation of International Roller Sports, The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association, the Amateur Athletic Union and many other amateur and professional leagues are implementing this new standard which the NHL has found to be a great success.
The Professional Inline Hockey Association (PIHA) will be joining this initiative and is adopting the New Standard of Play for the 2006-2007 season. With some of the most elite players, teams, organizations and officials in North America, PIHA will be a leading force in support of the New Standard of Play and emphasis on rules enforcement. We will need everyone?s support ? player, coaches, team management, and referees ? to help us initiate this change.
Anytime there is an attempt to change attitudes, and that?s what this really is ? a change in attitude in how the game is supposed to be played ? there are going to be skeptics and growing pains. The bottom line is that this is the right to thing to do. Simply put, we are putting the focus back on the skills that are inherent to playing the game. Skating, passing, puck handling, strength, balance, and teamwork are all aspects that make our game great. Using the arms and/or stick to impede an opponent to gain a competitive advantage is no longer acceptable and will be penalized.
The basic premise behind the New Standard of Play is that the stick shall only be used to play the puck. It is meant to restore skill to our game. This is not an officiating initiative, and there are no changes to the rules. The rules appear in the rulebook exactly as they have in the past. The only difference is a new standard of enforcement of those rules.
The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body contact. Using body contact/position to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.
The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:
The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player?s progress.
The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player?s progress.
Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.
Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.The end result will be a faster game with better skill and more opportunities for players, regardless of size. It will be better to watch, but more importantly, better to play.
Educational tools for the New Standard of Play will be provided to each team by the League. Resource materials and a video explaining the New Standard of Play are available at usahockey.com and usahockeyinline.com.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Rick Pohlig
PIHA National Referee-In-Chief
Adopts New Standard of Play for 2006-2007 Season
From Rick Pohlig, PIHA National Referee-In-Chief
November 16, 2006
The New Standard of Play is an initiative that is underway not only in the U.S., but globally as well. Not only are USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine adopting this new standard, but Hockey Canada, the International Ice Hockey Federation, the Federation of International Roller Sports, The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association, the Amateur Athletic Union and many other amateur and professional leagues are implementing this new standard which the NHL has found to be a great success.
The Professional Inline Hockey Association (PIHA) will be joining this initiative and is adopting the New Standard of Play for the 2006-2007 season. With some of the most elite players, teams, organizations and officials in North America, PIHA will be a leading force in support of the New Standard of Play and emphasis on rules enforcement. We will need everyone?s support ? player, coaches, team management, and referees ? to help us initiate this change.
Anytime there is an attempt to change attitudes, and that?s what this really is ? a change in attitude in how the game is supposed to be played ? there are going to be skeptics and growing pains. The bottom line is that this is the right to thing to do. Simply put, we are putting the focus back on the skills that are inherent to playing the game. Skating, passing, puck handling, strength, balance, and teamwork are all aspects that make our game great. Using the arms and/or stick to impede an opponent to gain a competitive advantage is no longer acceptable and will be penalized.
The basic premise behind the New Standard of Play is that the stick shall only be used to play the puck. It is meant to restore skill to our game. This is not an officiating initiative, and there are no changes to the rules. The rules appear in the rulebook exactly as they have in the past. The only difference is a new standard of enforcement of those rules.
The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body contact. Using body contact/position to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.
The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:
The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player?s progress.
The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player?s progress.
Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.
Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.The end result will be a faster game with better skill and more opportunities for players, regardless of size. It will be better to watch, but more importantly, better to play.
Educational tools for the New Standard of Play will be provided to each team by the League. Resource materials and a video explaining the New Standard of Play are available at usahockey.com and usahockeyinline.com.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Rick Pohlig
PIHA National Referee-In-Chief