Northeast chapter #2 field hockey officials
2026 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/field-hockey-points-of-emphasis-2026 https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/field-hockey-points-of-emphasis-2026
2026 RULE CHANGES ARE: 1-6-1: The rule was modified to clarify that tooth and mouth protectors may not include non-functional or unsafe attachments.Rationale: The tooth and mouth protector is intended solely to protect the teeth, mouth, and lips. Attachments or components that do not serve this purpose, or that pose a safety risk, are not permitted.4-4-3: The rule was revised to limit substitutions prior to a penalty corner to goalkeeper safety situations. Substitution is permitted only for an ill, injured, suspended, or disqualified defending goalkeeper. That goalkeeper must be replaced by a properly equipped substitute goalkeeper.Rationale: Limiting substitutions prior to a penalty corner addresses safety concerns while preserving the integrity and continuity of the penalty corner procedure.10-3-3 PENALTIES: The rule was clarified to assign responsibility when an attacking player enters the circle early. For an offense of this rule by an attacker who enters the circle before the ball is played, the inserter shall be required to go beyond the center line.Rationale: Requiring the inserter to go beyond the center line provides a clear, consistent, and easily administered penalty, simplifies enforcement, and promotes proper positioning and discipline during penalty corner setup.
2025-26 NJSIAA Field Hockey TournamentNJSIAA reserves the right to adjust, change or cancel dates, times, and locations for all NJSIAA Statetournaments. Schools entering the tournament will not be granted a change of date/time due to any conflictswith school trips, proms, banquets, SATs, unless agreed upon by both schools. During the spring tournamentseason, we will make every effort to accommodate schools that have a conflict with their graduation.Member schools will not be eligible to participate in any NJSIAA Tournaments if it has violated the NJSIAAConstitution, Bylaws, Rules, Regulations, Guidelines, Policies, or Procedures. Any student-athlete whotransfers after the competition start date will not be eligible for this tournament (Bylaws, Article V, Section 4.K.5).Schools are to be reminded of the 3-team DQ rule for state tournament eligibility, which states “Any varsity teamaccumulating three or more player or coach disqualifications prior to the team’s participation in the statetournament will not be permitted to participate in the state tournament. The 3-team DQ rule is not applicableduring participation in the state tournament.The NJSIAA will follow the procedure below for schools that are disqualified from state tournament competition:1. If a school is disqualified, either for the use of an ineligible player or violating the 3-team DQ rule, from statetournament competition after the tournament has been seeded but prior to the bracket being final, then thebracket will be reseeded and the next ranked school who entered the tournament will be included.2. If a school is disqualified, either for the use of an ineligible player or violating the 3-team DQ rule, from statetournament competition after the tournament has been seeded and after the bracket is final, then thebracket will not be reseeded, and no additional school will be included.3. If a school is disqualified from state tournament competition due to the use of an ineligible player during thestate tournament, then the school will be removed from the tournament immediately and their last opponentwill advance in their place.Schools participating in any NJSIAA tournament are responsible for the actions and behaviors of theirspectators. Schools are required to provide adequate staff security to ensure there is proper oversight of theirspectators. In addition, schools are financially responsible for any damage to the property or premises causedby their student-athletes, staff, or spectators (spectators include, but are not limited to, cheerleaders, marchingband participants, students, and other fans).NJSIAA requires Certified Athletic Trainers at all its tournament events. The ATC must document all injuries onan injury report form. This form must be available to the NJSIAA upon request.Member schools that are not willing or able to comply with NJSIAA tournament regulations and any relevantprocedures found in the state tournament operating procedures handbook should not enter the tournament.Member schools are encouraged to review NJSIAA tournament regulations with the school administration.Coaches must have a copy of the tournament regulations as well as a copy of the rule modifications (if any)available at all contests. Copies of these documents are available on the NJSIAA website.Posted 8/15/25 Page 1 of 6NJSIAA Field Hockey Tournament StaffNJSIAA Director of Field Hockey Tournament Director NJSIAA Rules InterpreterSandy Mamary Lynda Allibone Charlotte Heenan(609) 259-2776 (856) 906-4871 Phone: 856-261-6408smamary@njsiaa.org allibonel2004@comcast.net Email: charheenan@aol.comTournament AssignorMaureen Dzwill(609) 472-9103modzwill@hotmail.comField Hockey Important DatesEvent DatesFirst Practice: August 18, 2025Competition Start: August 25, 2025Entry Form Opens: October 1, 2025Entry Form Closes: October 15, 2025October 15, 2025Cutoff: October 25, 2025PowerPoints Close at Noon Tournament Seeding: October 28, 2025Conflict of Interest Form: November 23, 2025Regular Season Competition Ends: October 26, 2025Field Hockey Tournament DatesPublic Tournament Dates LocationRound 1 (Groups 2 & 3): November 3, 2025* Higher SeedRound 1 (Groups 1 & 4): November 4, 2025* Higher SeedRound 2 (Groups 2 & 3): November 5, 2025* Higher SeedRound 2 (Groups 1 & 4): November 6, 2025* Higher SeedRound 3 (All Groups): November 10, 2025* Higher SeedSectional Finals: November 12, 2025* Higher Seed (Turf Field) #State Finals: November 15, 2025 Bordentown Regional HSNon-Public Tournament Dates LocationRound 1 (Non-Public South): November 3, 2025* Higher SeedRound 1 (Non-Public North): November 4, 2025* Higher SeedRound 2 (Non-Public South): November 5, 2025* Higher SeedRound 2 (Non-Public North): November 6, 2025* Higher SeedRound 3 (North & South): November 10, 2025* Higher SeedSectional Finals: November 12, 2025* Higher Seed (Turf Field) #State Finals: November 15, 2025 Bordentown Regional HS*These tournament dates listed for field hockey can be moved only upon mutual agreement by both schools.The earliest a tournament game can be moved to is October 30, 2025. If schools do not agree, then it must beplayed on the date listed. If any date is moved by mutual agreement, the potential next round opponents mustbe notified ASAP.# All sectional final games must be played on a turf field.Posted 8/15/25 Page 2 of 6New for This Year’s State Tournament1. 2. The power points for field hockey will go back to calculating the 12 best power-pointed games from openingday to the cutoff date regardless of how many games were played. We will no longer average all the gamesas we did last year.For contests against out-of-state or non-member opponents, we will use the actual record of the opponentas of the cutoff date. It is imperative that coaches continue to update their out of state/non-memberopponents records in www.njschoolsports.com throughout the season.Tournament ScheduleState FinalsBordentown High School318 Ward Ave, Bordentown, NJ 08505November 15, 2025Group 2 10:00amGroup 3 12:00pmGroup 4 2:00pmGroup 1 4:00pmNon-Public 6:00pmAll Public and Non-Public South teams will wear Home Uniforms (Dark Jersey & Dark Socks) for thisyear’s tournament. This will rotate every year.Tournament Eligibility1. 2. 3. 4. Teams must be competing on a varsity interscholastic basis.Sixty percent (60%) of the games played on or before the cutoff date must be against New Jersey schools.Any player with two (2) or more disqualifications in the current season, prior to the start of the tournament,will be unable to compete in the state tournament.Any varsity team accumulating three (3) or more player or coach disqualifications prior to the start of thetournament will not be permitted to participate in the state tournament.To Qualify for the Tournament1. 2. 3. 4. The top 16 teams from each section and each group will qualify for this tournament using the PowerPointsystem.Games played after the cutoff date will not count toward the PowerPoint calculation even if they werestarted before the cutoff date.If there is a tie in power points, the current NJSIAA tie-breaking procedure will break all ties.The field hockey minimum number of games to be played by the cutoff date is 12.PowerPoint ProcedureThe NJSIAA power point system will be used for all qualifying and seeding purposes.1. The PowerPoint procedure for soccer will be using the 12 best power-pointed games from opening day tothe cutoff date regardless of how many games were played.2. 3. The residual points earned from opponents will be calculated using your opponent’s first 12 games played.Teams that play less than 12 games will still be eligible for the tournament based on their total power pointsachieved at the cutoff.Posted 8/15/25 Page 3 of 6Out of State / Non-Member Opponents (OOS / NM)Contests against out-of-state or non-member opponents will count for power points and will follow the samecalculation procedure as games against member schools. We will use the actual record of the OOS/NMopponent as of the cutoff date. It is imperative that coaches continue to update their OOS/NM opponentsrecords in highschoolsports.com throughout the season.Entry Procedure1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The entry form must be completed online during the time period listed above.All varsity schedules & rosters must be entered in njschoolsports by the start of the season. Rosters mustbe checked and updated, if necessary, by the start of the tournament. We cannot guarantee any rosterchanges made after the start of the tournament will make it into the tournament program.All varsity scores must be reported to www.njschoolsports.com as soon as possible after each contest. If youencounter problems, please contact hssupport@njadvancemedia.com.During the regular season, when a game ends in a tie after overtime, it shall be recorded as a tie and theteams will split the PowerPoints.For all regular season County, Conference, or league tournaments that require a team to advance, the6. 7. advancing team shall be recorded as the winner regardless of the overtime procedure used. The advancingteam shall receive all the PowerPoints. When entering the results in njschoolsports, the final score shouldreflect one (1) additional point for the advancing team.PowerPoints will be downloaded from the njschoolsports website on the date listed above at noon. Coachesare reminded that all team information must be totally up to date and checked for accuracy before the data isdownloaded.The officials Conflict of Interest form must be completed by the date listed above.Entry Fee• $90.00 Payable to the NJSIAA (Please note Field Hockey Tournament).• Forward all entry fees to: NJSIAA, 1161 Route 130 North, Robbinsville, NJ 08691Tournament Seeding1. 2. 3. 4. The qualifying schools in each group and each section will be seeded by the tournament staff.Teams will be seeded based on their PowerPoint totals.If there is a tie in power points for seeding, we will use the current NJSIAA tie-breaking procedure.Seed jumping will be used, please see the procedure below.The media may post brackets following the completion of the seeding meeting. Brackets do notbecome official until 12:00pm on the day after seeding.Seed Jumping Procedure1. 2. 3. 4. The seed jumping procedure will start from seed # 1 and work downward.Seed jumping will take place when a lower-ranked team has defeated the team ranked immediately abovethem.Any split of head-to-head matches will be dropped from the discussion.Movement in the seed may occur one step at a time on the basis of the head-to-head criterion (i.e., If 6th inrank has defeated 5th in rank/seed, then they switch positions; if 6th in rank defeats both #5 and #4 then adouble jump.Posted 8/15/25 Page 4 of 6PowerPoint Tie Breaking Procedure1. 2. 3. 4. Head-to-Head Competition. Any ties involving 3 or more teams, move to step #2Average quality points per game.Average residual points per game.Average OOWP for all opponents.5. Common opponent winning percentagea. Example: Team A is 3-0 (100%) vs. team C and team B is 2-0 (100%) vs. team C, go to #6b. Example: Team A is 2-1 (.667%) vs. team C and team B is 1-1 (.500%) vs. team C, Team A winsTiebreaker6. Team total winning percentage7. Coin TossThe tie breaking procedure above includes all contests from the competition start date to the cutoff date.Tournament Rules & Information1. The NFHS Field Hockey Rules along with any NJSIAA field hockey rule modifications will govern thistournament.2. All tournament rounds are PLAY ON dates. Schools can mutually agree to move tournament dates exceptfor the state finals. If schools do not agree, then it must be played on the date listed. If any date is movedby mutual agreement, the potential next round opponents must be notified ASAP.3. Game times for all rounds up to and including the sectional finals will be designated by the higher-seededteam. The recommended start times are:a. No lights: 3:00pm up to the eastern standard time change, then it is 2:00pm.b. With lights: 4:00pm.c. Non-School Days: Times to be established by the home team.4. 5. The NJSIAA may need to establish the start times if there is any disagreement between schools.All game times are pending the official’s availability. Athletic Directors must communicate consistentlythroughout all rounds up to and including the sectional finals regarding start times and field locations.6. 7. Game times for the state finals will be established by the NJSIAA.All games that cannot be played on the designated date because of the weather, the game must be playedon the following day. Teams must adhere to the deadline of the succeeding round, even though games maybe played on consecutive days.8. When conditions prevent a game from being played at the site of the higher seeded team in a reasonableamount of time, the tournament director may choose an alternate site, which may include the lower seededteams’ field.9. Higher-seeded schools hosting tournament games must provide an athletic trainer for both teams. Eachschool will be asked to provide its own athletic trainer when tournament games are not held at a higher-seeded school.10. The winning school must notify njschoolsports.com immediately after each game, and the competingschools must notify the local newspapers to keep the media informed as to the tournament progression.11. Participating schools must assign adequate supervision for all games, home and away.12. The higher seeded team (Home Team) will wear dark jerseys for all games up to and including the sectionalfinals.13. Any tournament game interrupted due to events beyond the control of the responsible administrativeauthority shall be completed as follows (NFHS Rule 4, Section 1, Article 4):a. If interrupted prior to the completion of the second quarter, the game shall be resumed at the point ofinterruption.b. If interrupted at halftime, or after the start of the third quarter the game could be resumed at the point ofinterruption, or by mutual agreement be considered a completed game.14. Each school must provide three (3) new white multi-turf balls for all games up to and including the sectionalfinals. All balls must be marked with the NFHS seal. An alternate color ball may be used at the discretion ofthe official and with agreement from both coaches, because of environmental circumstances and playingfield colors. The NJSIAA will provide all the balls for the state finals.15. Each school must provide three (3) ball-persons for all games. Coaching by the ball persons is forbidden.Fifteen (15) minutes prior to game time the ball person from each team will meet with the official forinstructions.16. The five (5) goal running clock modification will also be used throughout the tournament.17. All sectional final games must be played on turf fields.Posted 8/15/25 Page 5 of 6Overtime ProcedureFor all tournament rounds, if a tie exists at the conclusion of regulation play, up to two (2) ten (10) minute“sudden victory” reduced player (7 v 7) overtime periods shall be played. When a valid goal is scored duringany 10-minute “sudden victory” OT periods, the game is complete. If no goals are scored during the 10-minuteOT periods, the game shall proceed to the One-on-One tiebreaker procedure.Officials AssignmentsThe NJSIAA will assign all officials for all rounds of the tournament.Rounds 1, 2 & 3• 2 Field officials.• All officials are assigned by the NJSIAA.• Higher-seeded schools pay both officials at the area agreed-upon rate.Sectional Finals• 2 Field officials.• 1 Sideline Official.• All officials are assigned and paid by the NJSIAA.State Finals• 2 Field officials.• 1 Sideline Official.• 1 Official Timer.• All officials are assigned and paid by the NJSIAAAwardsSectional Champions:A team trophy and twenty-five (25) certificates for each Sectional Championship in each Group.State Champions:A team trophy and twenty-five (25) certificates for the State Champion in each Group.Posted 8/15/25
CONFLICT OF INTEREST INFO:
Officials must remain highly vigilant and adhere strictly tothe NJSIAA conflict of interest policy when acceptingofficiating assignments. This is especially critical for officialswho also coach (in any capacity) the same sport they officiatein, as this may present an increased risk of perceived oractual conflicts. In Addition, any personal or professionalrelationship that creates even the appearance of a conflict ofinterest must be avoided.Do not accept any assignments if any of the following apply toyou: 1. You are currently employed in the school district. 2.You have been employed in the district within the past 10years. 3. You have a close relative who is employed in thedistrict. 4. You have a child attending any school within thedistrict. Please Note: The list above does not include allpotential conflicts.
JULY 19-23 FDU CADET TRAINING PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATON
2026 CHAPTER INFORMATION
AUGUST 26 Interpretation/1st Business MeetingFH CHAPTER INTERPRETATION DATES:(if unable to attend ours AUGUST 26 INTERPRETATION/BUSINESS MEETING MEMBERS, must go to A DIFFERENT CHAPTERS INTERPRETATION MEETING PLUS ATTEND OUR Sept and Oct Business Meetings to be in "good standing" andmust email us to let us know!!! Use nechapter2nj@gmail.com)
***SEE LEFT BUTTONS AND INFO
REMINDER: Some schools are still choosing to utilize Arbiter Pay to pay their officials. Please update your banking information in Arbiter Pay
Please find below two Bottons to click on as per NJSIAA regarding NHFS Rules and Interpretations
Northeast Chapter #2 Field Hockey Officials
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
heretofore known as 'NE#2 and NJSIAA
The NE#2 Chapter comprises Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, 1/2 Morris, Passaic, 1/2 Somerset, Sussex and Union Counties
Other state field hockey chapter contacts are: Shore area Judy-fhassignor@comcast.net, Northwest Cheri-shortwayc@gmail.com, Skylands-Sherry-spopowski@comcast.net
Email NE#2 at: nechapter2nj@gmail.com
Northeast chapter #2 field hockey officials
2026 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/field-hockey-points-of-emphasis-2026 https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/field-hockey-points-of-emphasis-2026
2026 RULE CHANGES ARE: 1-6-1: The rule was modified to clarify that tooth and mouth protectors may not include non-functional or unsafe attachments.Rationale: The tooth and mouth protector is intended solely to protect the teeth, mouth, and lips. Attachments or components that do not serve this purpose, or that pose a safety risk, are not permitted.4-4-3: The rule was revised to limit substitutions prior to a penalty corner to goalkeeper safety situations. Substitution is permitted only for an ill, injured, suspended, or disqualified defending goalkeeper. That goalkeeper must be replaced by a properly equipped substitute goalkeeper.Rationale: Limiting substitutions prior to a penalty corner addresses safety concerns while preserving the integrity and continuity of the penalty corner procedure.10-3-3 PENALTIES: The rule was clarified to assign responsibility when an attacking player enters the circle early. For an offense of this rule by an attacker who enters the circle before the ball is played, the inserter shall be required to go beyond the center line.Rationale: Requiring the inserter to go beyond the center line provides a clear, consistent, and easily administered penalty, simplifies enforcement, and promotes proper positioning and discipline during penalty corner setup.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST INFO:
Officials must remain highly vigilant and adhere strictly tothe NJSIAA conflict of interest policy when acceptingofficiating assignments. This is especially critical for officialswho also coach (in any capacity) the same sport they officiatein, as this may present an increased risk of perceived oractual conflicts. In Addition, any personal or professionalrelationship that creates even the appearance of a conflict ofinterest must be avoided.Do not accept any assignments if any of the following apply toyou: 1. You are currently employed in the school district. 2.You have been employed in the district within the past 10years. 3. You have a close relative who is employed in thedistrict. 4. You have a child attending any school within thedistrict. Please Note: The list above does not include allpotential conflicts.
2026 CHAPTER INFORMATION
AUGUST 26 Interpretation/1st Business MeetingFH CHAPTER INTERPRETATION DATES:(if unable to attend ours AUGUST 26 INTERPRETATION/BUSINESS MEETING MEMBERS, must go to A DIFFERENT CHAPTERS INTERPRETATION MEETING PLUS ATTEND OUR Sept and Oct Business Meetings to be in "good standing" andmust email us to let us know!!! Use nechapter2nj@gmail.com)
NOWest 1 INTERPRETATION MEETING IS: JULY 21, 7pm via zoom-(counts as interpretation only not Business) Contact Diane Brown and our Board)
August 29 PLAY DAY
SEPTEMBER 17 VIA ZOOM 2ND BUSINESS
OCTOBER 13 VIA ZOOM 3RD BUSINESS
**New/Existing Members go to Announcements/minutes for more info on Cadets, Play Day
***SEE LEFT BUTTONS AND INFO
REMINDER: Some schools are still choosing to utilize ZebraPay to pay their officials. You still have access to ZebraWeb and ZebraPay using your login credentials from the past. If you go to zebraweb.org and sign in, you can enter into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and access ZebraPay from there.You have your banking information already in ZebraPay so if a school is using our system to pay you, they would not have any issues doing so since you are set up already.New officials can do the same, just add an account
Northeast Chapter #2 Field Hockey Officials
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
heretofore known as 'NE#2 and NJSIAA
The NE#2 Chapter comprises Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, 1/2 Morris, Passaic, 1/2 Somerset, Sussex and Union Counties
Other state field hockey chapter contacts are: Shore area Judy-fhassignor@comcast.net, Northwest Cheri-shortwayc@gmail.com, Skylands-Sherry-spopowski@comcast.net
Email NE#2 at: nechapter2nj@gmail.com
