2/5min penalty at the end of a game
Comments about this discussion:
Started
Some years ago we had the following situation in the German hockey league: In the last seconds of a very tight game a player foulded another player in a dangerous way and with clearly visible intention. The given time penalty nearly had no effect as the game was over some seconds later.
To make this more fair we introduced the following rule:
"If a player is sent off in the last three minutes of the match and the match would be restarted with a free shot, a 6.50 m is awarded instead of the
free shot."
What do you think? Also happy about other ideas how we could handle this situation.
Comment
I do not like this rule, as the continuation of the game will depend on the time on the clock. Additionally, why should it be the last 3 min and not 1 or 2? Moreover, let's assume a player has done several high sticks and was warned by the referee. Then he does another high stick close to his own goal while shooting away the ball. The referee consider this action dangerous as other players were nearby. The player is sent off for 2 min for "repeated fouls by the same player". As the game would continue with a free shot, a 6.5m will be given (on the other end of the field). This does not make any sense at all.
Currently, the referees could "only" give a 5min penalty. Was this given in your situation (maybe only for symbolic purposes)? An option would be to make the rules stricter and also allow the referees to send off the player for the remainder of the game. This would also ban the player from playing their teams next match.
Comment
I agrre with Nicolai.
I think its not necessary to change the current rule.
When we change this rule now, we will have a problem with the new 2min rule if it is acceppted. In this case the the 2min will end immediatly and the penalized player can come back.
Comment
I see the issue here. I do think a dangerous foul with clear intention should warrant a game send off.
Potentially we should make the rules so that a referee could send a player off for the entire match for intentional dangerous fouls.
Comment
The point behind the German interpretation of the rule is that a 2-minute penalty shortly before the end of the game doesn’t have its full impact – for example, if there are only 20 seconds left to play. This means players might resort to frustration fouls (as in the case Larissa described) or tactical fouls (e.g. during a counterattack) to secure a narrow win.
To create a fair balance, act as a deterrent, and ensure that a 2-minute penalty still has weight even in the final moments of a match, the German rule is interpreted this way.
Why we chose 3 minutes instead of just the last 2 minutes, though, I honestly can’t explain in retrospect.
Comment
Thanks for the explanation, I can see why this rule is implemented, although I do not agree with it.
Giving a 6.5m is (with a good shooter) an 60-90% chance of a goal, so giving a 2min in such a situation would be almost giving a goal to the other team (and with almost 3min on the clock potentially even more). Thus, a referee almost has to or will decide the game when such a situation occurs. Especially, because there may be situations, where the rules dictate a 2min penalty although it was clearly not intentional and maybe not even dangerous (e.g. "Repeated fouls by the same player").
What we could change is
- to make the rules for giving a 6.5m stricter (so in situations where such a foul may be necessary to prevent a good chance for scoring, a 6.5m can be given)
- to make rules for sent off the remainder of the game stricter (as suggested by Steven)
- introduce absolute play time (to give the most possibility to score a goal in the time left). However, we discussed this in the previous rulebook (and even tested during EUHC 2023) and there was the consensus that this is not worth it. So overall, this is not really an option.
Comment
Taken from discussion on Stricter Penalties
5-minute penalties may be given for:
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Repeated fouls by a player who has already received a 2-minute penalty
Intentional dangerous fouls
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Violent conduct toward other players, team officials, or spectators
Match ejection (remainder of game) may be given for:
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Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 5 minute penalty
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Continued violent conduct after already receiving a 5-minute penalty
- Intentional dangerous fouls
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Violence against referees