Field Hockey Rules & Regulations

The Game:

• Two Halves, 25 minutes each
• Seven players per side including goal keeper
• 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 zone (within the blue line).
• Players may not shield the ball using their body or stick. All players must have an equal chance to play the ball.
• If the score remains tied at the end of the game, penalty strokes will 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 Corners

• 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. A shot on goal may be attempted once the ball is played back into 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 center line.
• Typically, the attacking player taking the free hit passes the ball to her teammates positioned outside the striking circle. An offensive player will either slow or stop the pass with the stick for another player to strike the ball at the goal, or play the ball back into the circle.

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 which 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 ballfrom 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 which prevents a sure goal.

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