It is a new season for fall sports. As the teams prepare for the first coming games, the field hockey team must learn some new rule changes. Rule changes are given down to the schools by the International Hockey Federation.

One big change affects what happens when a player gets a green card. In past years a green card was only a warning for a player. This year if a green card is given, the player will receive a two minute penalty. Senior and captain, Chelsea Hopkins, thinks the changes are both good and bad.

“Most of the time, fouls that deserve a card are an accident at the wrong place at the wrong time, but it will also discourage the players who are too aggressive,” said Hopkins.

The other change in rules comes when a corner occurs. A corner happens when the defense commits a foul. If the defense commits a foul then play is stopped and the four defenders called the right tail, left tail, fly and post all go into the goal with the goalie to protect the goal. They must stay behind the circle or goal line. The opposing teams offense must line up just outside the circle (similar to a goalie box). The ball must be hit and put into play. The defense then runs out into their positions while the offense tries to score. The rule change now prohibits players from crossing or even touching the line before the ball is past the circle line. If a player commits an infraction, they must run to the fifty yard line and wait there while the corner is re-executed.

Head Coach Terry Dewing and Hopkins both agree that this change is for the better. Dewing said that the change helps control the advantages on the field, making corners more fair.

Hopkins said, “This change makes it so players cannot cheat. It promotes fair play on corners.”

These two major changes will change how the game is played, but the team is not worried about them. Dewing sees a successful future in store for the team.

“We will be a good team this year,” said Dewing. “They are fast and the team has good goalies.”