Last November, I wrote this.
Yesterday, the NCAA announced that Division I field hockey would be scrapping its current overtime procedure. But instead of scrapping extra time altogether like the rest of the world has done, the Division I rules committee voted to play a single period of overtime with both teams having 11 players, followed by a penalty shootout.
Huh? Isn’t that a move backwards, to what the regulations were in the 80s and 90s? It certainly seems like it.
I still stand by the principle that the United States field hockey universe, from the NCAA to the NFHS, should have the same rules and regulations as the rest of the world.
I sense a bit of dissent within the college ranks, however. While the Division I teams are going to the 11-v-11 overtime period, the rest of collegiate field hockey — Division II and Division III — will retain their 7-v-7 overtime regulations.
Makes you wonder if American field hockey at all levels will ever be able to get on the same set of rules.