Introduction of a Card System
Comments about this discussion:
Started
I’m surprised that the Swiss haven’t yet proposed their card system – with yellow (warning), red (2-minute penalty), and black (5-minute penalty) cards – for wider adoption. So I’d like to bring it up for discussion here, even though I haven’t yet formed a final opinion on it myself.
The topic up for discussion would be a card system similar to football (yellow card, red card, and possibly black card), which is currently used in the Swiss league, but not in the German league or at international tournaments. In every match, both referees carry a yellow, red, and black card.
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A yellow card serves as a warning.
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A second yellow card results in a yellow-red and therefore a 2-minute penalty.
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A red card alone immediately results in a 2-minute penalty.
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A black card corresponds to a 5-minute penalty.
In Switzerland, the use of cards has apparently had a significant (positive) impact on how referees manage the game. Overly aggressive play, repeated fouls by the same player, and unsportsmanlike behaviour were punished more consistently and strictly. This helped prevent the game from escalating emotionally and physically, even in very competitive and intense matches.
The visual signal of the cards had an immediate effect not only on the fouling player but also on both teams on the field, the substitutes, and the spectators, as everyone could clearly see and understand the referee’s decision. Warnings via yellow cards were visible to all, unlike in Germany, where verbal warnings sometimes go unnoticed by everyone except those standing nearby. This card system made referee decisions more transparent and understandable, allowing players and spectators to interpret the situation and adjust behaviour accordingly. The visual impact of the cards had a powerful, hard-to-describe, but immediate effect on all players.
Comment
I have mixed feelings about our card system. There are for sure benefits (e.g. visual signal, clear warnings) of this card system but also some drawbacks (additional material needed, more "paperwork" needed for warnings).
I am not so sure whether the card system is responsible for the positive impact you're mentioning. I think there are different (and more important) aspects that influence how referees rule in Switzerland.
I agree that cards can help communicate penalties, but I also think that a good referee can communicate penalties without cards similarly well.
Lastly, I'm not sure how our system will play out if the stricter penalties pass. There will be more 2min penalties but less warnings (as many of these will directly give 2 min).
Comment
The word "warning" is not used in part 14 of the rulebook! I am unsure the need of a card system. But give a "warning" prior punishment should be includes in the hockey rules.
Firt idea: Add a short sentence at the end of 14B.8.1 General Considerations like "...To keep the game going, rule violations that do not influence the course of the game should not be penalized. A warning given that strikter ruling will follow may be an option."
Comment
Yes, the warning / yellow card is missing in the rulebook. If it were present it could help referees to go the next step after a warning and give that 2-minute penalty.
We already have the referee hand signs for 2-minute penalty and 5-minute penalty. Hand signs can be a fallback if no cards are available. To be consinstent we actually would need 4 hand signs and/or cards.
Suggestions:
Warning - green/blue card / referee pointing towards offending player
2-minute-penalty - yellow card / referee holding open hand up, two fingers stretched
5-minute-penalty - red card / referee holding open hand up, five fingers stretched
game penalty - black card / referee holding clenched fist up
Cards:
+ easy to use, easy to understand
- every referee needs pockets to store the cards (in football: trouser back pocket = red card, shirt pcket = yellow card)
- four cards are much to manage for the referee
- extra material needed
Hand signs:
+ two out of four signs established
+ no extra material needed
Comment
If a card system would be established, the referrees will need extra clothing (The players usually are wearing a kind of t-shirt/tricot without pockets and bicycle trousers a well without pockets) like a polo-shirt and a kind of trousers, both with pockets. The cards may be provided by the hosts but for the personal extra clothing who will pay for? Referrees may change game by game - It will became more harder to find volunteered referrees. Would you like to force the teams to bring 2 full equipted referrees with them (and what will happen if they don`t do)?
As referree I often used the unofficial "warning" by face-to-face and all other players regognise this situation. For the sent-offs I have had used the hand signs. In all the long time I did referring I never missed "cards".
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I think increasing strictness of refereeing fouls would add more to our refereeing than adding a cards system. I have no issue with the cards but I cannot see this ever being used successfully in anything but the A league.
I don't believe I have ever felt I needed a card to know that a player is repeatedly fouling people. Why would I need a red card to signify a 2 minute penalty? A 2 minute penalty signifies a 2 minute penalty..
I believe any referee can read the list of strict rules (there are 17) and know "Ok these are what I immediately send someone off for, and the rest of the fouls are a free shot"
Comment
I will create one or more proposals for this discussion.