SENIOR & JUNIOR BOYS RULES

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Boys Rules 2024/25

• FULL PITCH SHORT CORNERS: standard hockey rules apply
• HALF PITCH: matches to be played across the width of the pitch
• CIRCLE: full size circle on half pitch with all appropriate markings
• HALF PITCH SHORT CORNERS: standard hockey rules apply
• HALF PITCH MATCHES: defending players not involved in the short corner to go to the opposition end line.

• Senior Boys: 60 minutes, 15 mins a quarter with 2 mins break per quarter, 5 mins break at half time.
• Junior Boys: 50 minutes, 12.5 mins a quarter with 2 mins break per quarter, 5 mins break at half time.
• Junior Boys: 40 minutes blitz format, 10 mins a quarter with 2 mins break per quarter, 5 mins break at half time
• Unless otherwise stated normal rules apply.
• Penalty corners; full protective equipment for defenders is strongly recommended
• Winners will be decided by a points system as follows:-

• Win 3 Points
• Draw 1 Point each
• Loss No Points

• At the end of the normal season in the event of two teams or more achieving the same number of points there will be a play-off.
• Actual result to the recorded on the match card. A score greater than five goals, or a difference greater than five goals, shall be reduced accordingly by the relevant Fixture Secretary
• It is recommended that where a club enters more than one team in a league that all teams are of equal playing standard.
• Clubs with Senior & Junior teams in the leagues can play fixtures consecutively at same venue on the same date to reduce volunteer burnout and travel costs.

Goalkeepers:

• Where a club has 2 or more teams in a league Goalkeepers can play outfield on one of the other teams.
• The player needs to be nominated as Goalkeeper & outfield player on the respective teams & are not interchangeable.

Registration of players:

• players must be registered prior to playing their second match, if not adhered to following sanction will apply:

1. a) The opposition is awarded a win in the match.
2. b) For league matches they shall be deducted one extra point for each offence in the season.
3. c) If a Club has more than one offence in a season, a fine of €50 will be issued to the club for each additional offence

Nomination of players:

• Clubs to nominate players for every team and the players remain on that team for the remainder of the season. Nominations unlimited to a point. Players can only play on one team, if not adhered to following sanction will apply:

1. a) The opposition is awarded a win in the match.
2. b) For league matches they shall be deducted one extra point for each offence in the season.
3. c) If a Club has more than one offence in a season, a fine of €50 will be issued to the club for each additional offence

Match Cards:

Home team Coach/Manager to email match card to michaelhoughton84@gmail.com within 2 days of playing.

• Match card shall include the names (full first and surname names on match card) the name of the competition, the venue and date of the fixture. The Goalkeeper & any player playing up is to be marked

• Match card must be handed to one of the umpires before the match and the umpire shall enter the score and the number of scorers. Actual result to the recorded on the match card. A score greater than five goals, or a difference greater than five goals, shall be reduced accordingly by the Fixture Secretary

Youths/Club Hockey:

• Boys to play Youths hockey before Men’s matches. No postponements allowed by clubs. Players must be 15 before they can play Men’s hockey – HI rule.
• Any over age players must contact the Fixture Secretary to discuss this situation. Clubs will be informed of this situation when it arises.

Boys Senior (Second & Third Year) League Rules:

• Players are not eligible to play adult hockey until they reach their 15^th Birthday
• Eligibility: players in Second and Third Year are eligible to play, also Fourth Year players who have not yet reached their 15^th Birthday are eligible to play until they reach their 15^th Birthday at which time they move to adult hockey – subject to the following rule
• 4th year boys are eligible to play Boys Senior league for 23/24 season except for the following:

1. Any 4^th year who has been selected for Munster u18  summer training panel or final 24 player inter-provincial panel or previously played on the U16 Interpro team
2. Any player who has played one or more game for the clubs second lowest senior team;

• Weekends are assigned for Senior league fixtures, matches can be played on the Friday night, Saturday or Sunday. Friday night games are for clubs within a 20 mile radius. The match must be played on the assigned weekend unless a postponement is granted. (see postponement rules under separate link)
• Sanction for non-fulfilment is:

1. The opposition is awarded a win in the match.
2. For league matches they shall be deducted one extra point for each offence in the season.
3. If a Club has more than one offence in a season, a fine of €50 will be issued to the club for each additional offence
4. For the next game where the forfeiting team is scheduled to play at home against the team they forfeited to, the fixture will be reversed and the forfeiting team will have to travel (this may carry to the next season if there is no home game remaining in the current season).
5. Clubs that forfeit more than three matches in a season shall be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, and the matter reported to the Management Committee who shall deal with the matter in accordance with article 27 – Discipline of the Branch Constitution.

• Boys’ squads; 11 a-side, panel of 18. Teams with 9 or 10 players can agree to play 9 or 10 a-side.(to be agreed by both teams prior to the game)
• Teams of 9 or 10 play ¾ or full pitch and must be agreed between the two clubs when arranging the fixture
• Both teams start with the same agreed number of players.
• Teams of 11 play full pitch – 11 a-side (if a club has 11 players, 11 a-side must be played)
• Teams of 9 or 10 play ¾ or full pitch and must be agreed between the two clubs when arranging the fixture

Three Match Rule – playing Adult Level:

Once an underage boy “Senior” plays 3 consecutive games at adult level, the player is then obliged to take one week off from playing competitive adult hockey.

However, when a break of a week from playing adult hockey occurs at any time the consecutive sequence starts again from scratch.

This rule will not apply to players not playing school hockey

Boys Junior (6th Class and First Year) League Rules:

• Eligibility: players in 6^th Class and First Year are eligible to play
• Boys’ teams; 8 a-side; max of 12 on panel.
• Play on half pitch
• Both teams start with the same agreed number of players.
• Both teams to play the same number of players unless a player is carded

Three Match Rule – Playing at Boys Senior Level:

• Players playing at a higher level within the underage leagues can play two matches at a higher level and on playing a third match will be tied.
• Teams in breach of this rule shall have the match awarded to the opposition and will also be deducted 1 point. Additional defaults by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be an increment of one added to the deduction of points for each consecutive offence.

Cup Competition:

• All matches; no extra time. Shuttles in the event of a draw at full time.
• Clubs can enter a different team(s) in the Cup competition to the league.
• Nominations for Cups competition to be submitted prior to the first round.
• Weekends are assigned for cup fixtures, matches can be played on the Friday night, Saturday or Sunday. Friday night games are for clubs within a 20 mile radius. The match must be played on the assigned weekend unless a postponement is granted. (see postponement rules under separate link)
• Sanction for non-fulfilment is:

1. The opposition is awarded a win in the match.
2. the team will be unable to participate in any further part of the cup competition, e.g. a plate or runners up cup & are fined €100.

Postponements:

• Any postponements are to be discussed with teams involved and new date to be advised to the relevant Fixture secretary.

Weather:

• Red Warning:
  • Matches will be cancelled across the board by MBHI
• Orange warning:
  • In the event of adverse orange weather warning clubs may seek a postponement of their scheduled fixture if the orange warning is scheduled during the time of their match and/or the time they are due to travel to/from the match.
  • The home team to contact the travelling team to discuss the situation. The Fixture Sec is to be informed if there is agreement of a cancellation.
  • Final decisions should be made by the grounds person of the pitches. Relevant secretary to be informed of cancellations for this reason.

Travelling Rules:

• No matches to be started any later that 3:30pm with teams travelling more than 20km . This rule applies to SUNDAYS only.

Facilities:

• Bathroom and changing rooms to be available.
• Urinating pitch side is a breach of hockey rules and will be punished by cards. It is also totally unacceptable and unhygienic.

Coach/Manager Responsibilities:

• The captain on the day must wear a distinctive armband
• Match card must be handed to one of the umpires before the match and the umpire shall enter the score and the number of scorers.
• Home Coach/Manager is ultimately responsible for the correct completion of the card and that both Captains have signed the match card.
• Each team should have a full kitted goalkeeper on the pitch at all times. In the event of a team not having a fully kitted goalkeeper than all players play outfield
• Home club is responsible for making sure that the pitch is marked with drop down lines and the “D” set up correctly. The use of Munster Branch mini goals is allowed, otherwise please use standard goals.
• Host Club to supply match balls etc.
• Teams must wear the same colour tops i.e. t-shirts or polo shirts
• Shin pads and gum shields are strongly recommended to be worn by all players
• Teams must bring their own first Aid kits
• Encourage players to thank their opponents and umpires at the end of every match
• Each Club should provide an umpire
• Umpires decisions are absolutely final and abuse of the umpires will not be tolerated
• Clubs are responsible for their own players at all times.
• Encourage players to thank their opponents and umpires at the end of every match
• Transparency is vital in the running of these teams and this is the responsibility of the clubs.
• No phone calls after 10pm mid-week and never at weekends unless in an emergency.

Branch Trophies

• All Branch Trophies shall be perpetual challenge trophies and cannot be won outright
• All Branch trophies shall be signed for using the MBHI Trophy Receipt form.
• All Branch trophies shall be returned to the Youths Fixture Secretary, clean & engraved, no later than 31st January the following year.
• Clubs failing to adhere to this rule shall be subject to a €50 fine.
• Where a Club permanently mislays a Trophy, the Club will reimburse the Branch with its replacement.