In Finland, the majority of league club coaches support allowing tackling in the Women’s League as well.
SOLNA. The reform of the women’s ice hockey league in Sweden is praised by the players and hockey fans. Now you can tackle.
The tackling rule was introduced at the beginning of this season. Any kind of slats are not allowed in the rinks of Sweden. Side tackles that happen in the same direction are practically the ones for which the whistle does not blow.
Urheilu watched the match between Stockholm AIK and Jönköping HV-71 at Ulriksdal hall in Solna.
In the top women’s league in the SDHL, there is not nearly as much scrimmage as the men’s, but a few times the wings rattle in the rink.
AIK’s Finnish captain Sara Säkkinen gives thumbs up to the new rule and thinks that a clear majority of players agree.
– When in the past you were only allowed to wedge next to the side, the rule change has eliminated the unnecessary cooldowns. This is really good for women’s hockey.
AIK’s Saana Valkama I don’t think the game has changed much in a few months. They still don’t know how to use tackling properly.
The judges have also learned from the new rule.
– The line of judges still varies a lot – what is allowed and what is not. I still say that the line is more unified than before, HV-71 Ella Swamp swamp says.
Luleja’s power forward Nora Tulus noticed in the beginning of the series that many players were tackled. Little by little, the situation has become the new normal, and he hardly thinks about it anymore.
– On the women’s side, when there are players of different sizes, with the rule change, bigger players can play with their strengths more confidently. They can use their size to their advantage without the tackling situations being unclear, Tulus, reached by phone, brings out one angle on the topic.
Injuries in follow-up
Head coach in the AIK coaches’ room Carl Wendt says the game has improved and become more entertaining. There is no longer any need to hesitate near the edge.
Wendt presents a flipchart. Injuries during this season are marked on it.
The trade-off for allowing tackling was that there would be fewer injuries than before, and Wendt thinks that this has happened. There have been some minor bumps, but there have been fewer serious injuries.
Injuries are closely monitored in all SDHL clubs. Investigator Mikael Swarén The University of Taalainmaa says in an email response that the number of concussions has decreased with a more physical game.
Thumbs up for the rule change from the head coaches of the Women’s League
Sweden is currently the only country where Tackling is allowed in women’s ice hockey. It is also not allowed in international games.
The reports made at the end of the season are blamed in other countries as well, certainly in Finland as well.
asked the head coaches of women’s league clubs for their opinion on whether the rule should also be introduced in Finland. Out of nine respondents, five are in favor of the change, one is against and three could not say their opinion.
Supporters of the change believe that the game will improve and speed up if Tackling is allowed. The line of judges could also be clarified.
The head coach, who opposes the change, writes that the level differences between the players are too big at the moment. The physical capabilities are not enough for tackling.
Tackles and receiving them have not been practiced much in Swedish clubs. Sara Säkkinen estimates that in tackle situations the responsibility lies 60 percent with the tackler and 40 percent with the receiver. Ella Viitasuo urges to learn tackling.
The mindset for a more physical game is not yet ready in Sweden either.