New Delhi: After three highly competitive seasons of the Hockey India League (HIL), the governing committee will now bring new rules and regulations to make the league more competitive and intense. The announcement of the new rules was made at a press conference addressed by Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, Chairman, Hockey India League.

From the 2016 season of Hockey India League, franchisee can have a squad of 20 players with a composition of 12 Indian players and eight foreign players. The squad must have minimum two goalkeepers sitting on the bench and all the players of 20-member squad will be mentioned in the match sheet and must be present at their respective team’s dug-out during the HIL matches.

As per the new goal-scoring points system, the HIL 2016 will become more competitive and first of its kind in any hockey competition where field goals will be given more priority than penalty corners. In the HIL 2016 matches, two goal points will be awarded for every field goal to encourage more skilful and tactical hockey. To curb rough tackles and maintain discipline among players, two goal points will awarded to every penalty-stroke goal scored other than resulting from penalty corner.

Two goals will also be awarded for every goal scored from a penalty-stroke resulting from a penalty corner where a goal being scored is prevented by a deliberate foul. The new goal-scoring system is approved by the FIH Competitions Committee and Rules Committee, which will promote spirited hockey and fair play among all players.

The rest of the goal-scoring point system remains the same where penalty corner goals, goal scored from a penalty stroke resulting from a penalty corner (where a goal being scored is prevented as a results of the ball hitting a foot or body) as well as a goal from a direct shoot-out and Penalty Stroke goals in a shoot-out competition will be considered as 1 goal point.

With the new rules and regulations, the Hockey India League will see the world’s best players showcase their hockey skills to score more goals through field goals. The new regulations will also reduce the aggressive moves and maintain discipline among players.

Speaking on the announcement Hockey India President and Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra said, “Penalty corners give undue advantage to those teams which have penalty corner specialists. The teams also fight to earn penalty corners rather than scoring goals through field penetration. The new system will encourage teams and players to play to score goals instead of looking for penalties. The system will surely enhance players’ skills and mentality of playing good hockey.  HIL is committed to promoting the world’s best hockey and with this new rules, players will improve themselves in a competitive environment. We expect Hockey India League to continue its legacy of high-class hockey and take the sport to a new level.”

Hockey India League 2015 auction is all slated for September 17 wherein 135 Indian and 141 foreign players will go under the hammer. Earlier in August 2015, Hockey India League had provided all the franchisees the option to retain upto three Indian and three foreign players, while releasing the rest of the squad. With 276 players to get auctioned, each franchisee will be looking at a strong team with the hope of having the required edge over others.

HIL 2016 Rules and Regulations

• Ø  TEAM COMPOSITION

o   Squad of 20 players

o   12 Indian players

o   8 Foreign players

o   Minimum of 2 goalkeepers in the squad and sitting on the bench

• Ø  PLAYING COMPOSITION

o   All players will be on the Match Sheet for each match and allowed on the bench

• Ø  PLAYER REPLACEMENT

o   A Franchise can now make immediate replacements by selecting a player from the HIL Reserve List 2016.

o   Complete the Replacement Player Application Form as per the HIL Player Replacement Policy 2016

• Ø  SCORING

o   New goal-scoring points

o   The first time played in any hockey competition

o   Approved by the FIH Competitions Committee and Rules Committee