Hurling Forum
This will be a hurling discussion forum. Email bill@madisonhurling.com for any topics you might like to be added here.
Muffed Free
What happens if a player swings and misses at a free or a sideline cut?
Well, here are the applicable rules:
Rule 4.21
It is illegal to play the ball again after taking a free/penalty/sideline puck before another player has played it.
Penalty: cancel the free puck or sideline puck, throw in ball where foul occurred
Rule 4.22
It is illegal to make a second attempt to lift the ball or hop the ball on the hurley during a free puck.
Penalty: cancel the free puck throw in ball where foul occurred
Rule 2.5
If a player taking a free puck fails to lift the ball on the first attempt or fails to strike it with the hurley, he must strike it on the ground without delay. If you hesitate, you can still hit it from the ground however your oppoenents are permitted to rush in.
SO......what do you do if you lift the ball on a free and follow up with a swing and a miss or if you line up a sideline cut and whiff? You probably want to take a second or two to look around and, before your opponents get too close, strike it from the ground to the most advantageous spot. Play will continue from there. If you whiff and you are alone against several opponents you might want to lift the sloithar to your hand. The penalty is just a throw in and might be more advantageous than you hitting it on the ground to an area that your opponent can get to it and take off.
Now, if you take a free or a sideline cut and duff it, and it lands 5 feet in front of you what should you do? You should take stock of your surroundings, if it looks like an opponent is charging in and going to get it then HIT THE BALL AGAIN! the penalty is just a throw in which is much better than your opponent taking control and heading down field. If, instead, it looks like a team mate has your back, then let him come charging in and take it.
The Pulling Guard
From time to time when two team-mates are going for the puck you will see a less experienced player, or just an experienced cheater, discreetly break off the ball and charge an opponent who is coming for the ball. I call this "the pulling guard" because it reminds me of the classic running play that the packers of the 60's perfected. In otherwords you will see one team-mate block an opponent to help out his mate. This is illegal, and here is why.
According to Rule 5.28(c) it is illegal "to charge an opponent for the purpose of giving an advantage to a team-mate." the penalty for this offense is a free puck from where the foul occurred (or a penalty shot if it is in the goal box).
In addition, this is one of the many fouls that can get you kicked out of the game. However, the first offense (if you havent been warned before) just gets you written in the black book. Second offense will be a yellow card, third offense will be a red card.
So, what have we learned? You cant clear a guy out for the purpose of helping out your team-mate. If the ball is on the ground and your team-mate is fighting for it and you come in with a charge you could be called. Likewise, any charge you make against an opponent while the ball is in the possession of your teammate would, i assume, invariably be a violation of this rule.
The Bowling Ball
Hurling is a sport involving bravery. It takes a lot of guts to run towards a man swinging a hurl but it happens all the time. The problem is, sometimes the bravest of moves can also be illegal.
For instance, I often see a player who gets the puck to his hand use the four steps that he has to dole out a little punishment. In otherwords, become the bowling ball as he looks to knock down a few pins. According to Rule 5.30(b) it is illegal "For a player in possession of the ball to charge an opponent." the penalty is a free puck. If the player persistently does this, he gets a yellow if he does it again, a red card.
Now, you will often see a player in possession of the ball lower his head and brace for his opponent to charge him or even collide with an opponnent charging him. I'd say that would be legal because it is not the player in possession of the puck that is doing the charging, However, there are also times you will see a player field the ball out of the air and charge straight into his opponent who is just standing there, that would be a violation of 5.30(b) in my opinion.