Field Hockey, The Rules

A field hockey match consists of two halves, usually 35 minutes each, and begins with a pass back (a non-defended pass from one teammate to another at mid-field). There are 11 players to a side, one of whom is a goalkeeper. The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposition. Goals are scored when the ball -- made of solid plastic, weighing between 5 1/2 ounces and 5 3/4 ounces with a circumference of 8 13/16 inches to 9 1/4 inches -- crosses the goal line between the goal posts after being touched by the stick of an attacker within the circle. Each goal is worth one point. The ball can only be touched with the flat side of the curved, hardwood stick.

Unique to field hockey is the obstruction rule. In virtually every other sport, shielding the ball with one's body is an integral part of game strategy. However, this is not allowed in field hockey. All players have an equal chance to gain control of the ball as it is dribbled or passed down the field.

Other infractions include advancing (other than the goalkeeper, no player may play the ball with any part of the body), dangerous use of the stick and hitting the ball in a manner that could lead to dangerous play. For a breach of rules, an umpire may award a free hit, penalty corner or penalty stroke. A majority of scoring opportunities in each match comes from penalty corners.

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The Game

Two Halves, 35 minutes each in collegiate and international play, 30 minutes in high school play

11 players per side, including the goalkeeper

The pitch is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide (91.40m x 55.0m) divided by a center line and a 25-yard line on each side of the field. A striking circle is marked 16 yards (14.63m) out from each goal post. All international matches are played on watered down artificial turf.

Goal cages are 7 feet (2.14m) high, 12 feet (3.66m) wide and 4 feet (1.22m) deep. Boards on the back and side of the cages are 18 inches high.
Two umpires on the field officiate the match. An additional umpire may sit at the scorer's table.
The ball must be passed or dribbled down the field with the flat side of the stick.
A goal is scored when an attacker strikes the ball into the goal from within the striking circle.
Players may not shield the ball using their body or stick. All players must have an equal chance to play the ball.

Extra Time/Overtime

In international play, in classification rounds or games that require a winner to advance to the next round, if the score is tied after regulation, extra time of two, 7 1/2 minute periods is played. The game is ended when one team scores a goal. If the score remains tied after overtime, penalty strokes may be used to determine the winner. In penalty stroke competition, each team selects five players to take alternating penalty strokes against the opposing goalkeeper.
In high school federation play, if the score is tied after regulation time has expired, an overtime period of two, 10-minute halves is played with each team reducing the number of players to 7 per side. If the score remains tied after overtime, penalty strokes may be used to determine the winner. In penalty stroke competition, each team selects five players to take alternating penalty strokes against the opposing goalkeeper.

Fouls

A player may not

Shield or obstruct the ball from an opponent with the body or stick. All players must have an equal chance to gain control of the ball as it is dribbled or passed down the field.
Play the ball with the rounded side of the stick.
Interfere in the game without a stick
Charge, hit, shove or trip an opponent
Play the ball in a potentially dangerous way.
Use the foot or leg to support the stick in order to resist an opponent
Raise the stick in a dangerous or intimidating manner while approaching, attempting to play or stop the ball
Advance the ball by any means other than with the stick.
Stop or deflect the ball in the air or on the ground with any part of the body
Hit, hook, hold or interfere with an opponents stick: Free Hit
A free hit is awarded to the non-offending side following an infraction and are usually taken at the spot the foul occurs.
No player of the opposing team may be within 5 yards of the ball when hit.
The ball must be stationary and the striker must push or hit it. The hitter may not replay the ball until another player has touched it.
If the infraction is committed by a defender within the shooting circle, the attacking team is awarded a penalty corner.

Penalty Corner

In a penalty corner, the ball is placed on the goal line at least 10 yards from the nearest goal post. One attacking player hits the ball to a teammate just outside the striking circle line. No shot on goal may be taken until the ball is stopped or come to rest on the ground outside the circle. All attackers must be outside the circle before the hit is taken. On defense, a maximum of five defenders may be behind the goal line while the remaining defenders must be positioned beyond the centerline.

Typically, the attacking player taking the free hit passes the ball to her teammates positioned outside the striking circle. An offensive player will stop the ball with the stick while another player will strike the ball at the goal.

A penalty corner is awarded for the following offenses:

Any breach of the rule by a defender within the circle that would have resulted in a free hit to the attacking team if the breach had occurred outside the circle;
Any intentional breach of the rule by the defenders outside the circle but within the 25-yard line;
An intentional hit over the goal line by a defender from any part of the field. A penalty stroke is one-on-one, offensive player seven yards in front of the goal vs. goalkeeper on the goal line, with all other players beyond the 25-yard line.
A penalty stroke is awarded for any intentional breach by the defenders in the circle or for an unintentional breach by the defenders that prevents a sure goal.

Penalty Stroke

A penalty stroke is a one-on-one confrontation between an offensive player seven yards in front of the goal vs. a goalkeeper on the goal line. All other players must stand behind the 25-yard line. The goalkeeper must stand with both feet on the goal line and may not move either foot until the ball has been played. The offensive player may push, flick or scoop the ball from the penalty spot. A penalty stroke is awarded for any intentional breach by the defenders in the circle or for an unintentional breach by the defenders that prevents a sure goal.

16-Yard Hits

When the attacking team plays the ball over the backline, the defense receives a 16-yard hit. The free hit is taken 16 yards from the spot where the ball crossed the backline.

The Push-In/Hit-In

A push-in or hit-in is awarded to the opposition if a player hits the ball wholly over the sideline. All other players and their sticks must be at least 5 yards away from the spot where the ball is put into play.

Offenses & Misconduct

For rough or dangerous play, misconduct or any intentional offense, the umpire may

Caution the offending player
Warn the offending player with a green card
Temporarily suspend the offending player for a minimum of 5 minutes with a yellow card
Permanently suspend the offending player with a red card

Rule Comparisons

Rule comparisons between International (FIH), U.S. collegiate (NCAA) and U.S. High School field hockey

TOPIC	FIH International	NCAA Collegiate	Federation -HS
Fiberglass Stick	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
2 Piece Stick(Aluminum)	Not Permitted	Not Permitted	Permitted
Composite Stick	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
Mouth guards	Strongly recommended	Required on field players Strongly recommended for GK (16.a)	Required - except for goalkeeper, must cover molars
Jewelry	Subject to danger	Subject to danger	Not permitted
Under-garments	Not specified	Must be the same as teammates	Must be solid color; which is predominant color of uniform bottom/top
Shin Guards	Strongly Recommended	Required: Like-colored socks and/or shin guards	Like-colored socks and/or shin guards required. Must be solid color
GK Attire	Shirt color must be different from both teams. Protective headgear required.	Shirt color must be different from both teams. Protective headgear and throat protector required.	Shirt color must be different from both teams. Full mask helmet, leg pads, chest and throat protectors and gloves or hand protectors required.
GK Gloves	Hand protectors may be worn	Hand protectors may be worn	Gloves or hand protectors must be worn
Number of Players	Not specified.GK or kicking back required	Not specified. GK or kicking back required	Minimum 7 players; GK required
Penalty Corner	Push, hit; for purposes of stopped ball. PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside circle. Must be stopped outside the circle	Push, hit; for purposes of stopped ball. PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside circle. Must be stopped outside the circle	Push, hit, flick; PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside circle or defense touches it. Ball must be controlled.
Ball on Penalty Corner	Must be stopped outside circle before shot	Must be stopped outside circle before shot	Must be controlled before shot, either inside or outside the circle.
Deliberate raised ball	No deliberately raised hits. No intentionally raised balls over long distance into circle	No deliberately raised hits. No intentionally raised balls over long distance into circle	Based on danger; not permitted for free hits
Kicking Back	Must wear protective head gear and shirt color must be different than both teams	Must wear helmet, throat protector and shirt color different from both teams	Not permitted
Kicking Back during PC & PS	May add other protective equipment	Must wear chest protector in addition to other requirements. May add other protective equipment	Not permitted
Half time	5-10 minutes as agreed	7 minutes	No more than 10 minutes
Play duration	35 minute half	35 minute half	30 minute half
Yellow Card	Time out: minimum 5 minute suspension, no subs	Time out: minimum 5 minutes suspension, no subs	Time out: warning recorded, player leaves game for 5 minutes. No sub allowed
Red Card	Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a GK or designee	Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a GK or designee	Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a goalkeeper.
5 Yards on Free Hits	For attacking team, free hits within 5 yds of the circle, both teams must be at least 5 yds away	For attacking team, free hits within 5 yds of the circle, both teams must be at least 5 yds away	For all free hits between the 25yd line and the end line, both teams must be at least 5 yds away
16 yard hit	Only opponent must be 5 yards away	Only opponent must be 5 yards away	All players of both teams shall be at least 5 yds away
Side In	Opponent must be at least 5yds away	Opponent must be at least 5yds away	Opponent must be at least 5yds away unless the side-in is between the 25 and the endline when both teams must be 5 yds away
Clock stops after goals	Never stopped	Entire game	Entire game- Unless changed by state association
Center Pass	Players may not cross the center line until the ball is played	Players may not cross the center line until the ball is played	Players may cross the center line as soon as the official blows the whistle
18" Boards	Required. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line	Required. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line	Boards required in 2001. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line.
Substitution	Rolling sub allowed any time except penalty corners. Time out for GK subs.	Rolling sub allowed any time except penalty corners. Time out for GK subs.	Rolling sub allowed (Not prior to PC). No timeout for GK
Team time outs	Not permitted	One 2-minute time-out per team per game. May be used during 7 a side.	Two 90 second timeouts per team per game. Penalty for requesting more than 2.
Review of official's decision	Not permitted	Not permitted	Misapplication of rule only; See Rule 4-3
Coaching during injury	Controlled by tech table	Not permitted	Not permitted

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Field Hockey, The Rules

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