Field Hockey

Duration of Game:
 
  • two periods of equal length with a short interval for half-time
To Start and Re-Start the Game:
Centre Pass
When Taken:
 
  • at the start of the game, by a player of the team that did not choose ends.
 
  • after half-time, by a player of the team which did not start the game.
 
  • after a goal, by a player of the team against which the goal was scored or awarded.
Rules for the execution of the Centre Pass:
 
  • all players must be at least 5 yards away from the striker and in their half of the field
 
  • the ball may be hit or pushed in any direction
 
  • the ball must move at least one yard
 
  • after playing the ball, the striker may not do so again nor remain or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another player.
 
  • the ball shall not be raised intentionally or such as to be dangerous or lead to dangerous play.
Scoring a Goal:
To Score a Goal
 
  • the ball must be contacted by a striker who is on or inside of the 10 yard line.
 
  • the whole ball must pass completely over the goal line, between the posts, and under the crossbar.
 
  • the ball must be on or inside of the ten yard line.
Ball outside of the field of play (out of bounds):
When the ball passes completely over the sideline or the back line, it shall be out of play and it or another ball shall be used to re-start play.
Ball going over the sideline:
 
  • a hit taken by a player of the opposing team on the side-line closest to where the ball went out of play
 
  • player playing the ball is not required to be wholly inside or outside the side-line.
 
  • striker cannot contact the ball again until it is touched by another player
Ball going over the back-line:
By the Attacking Team when no goal is scored(10 yard hit out):
 
  • a hit taken by a defender on the 10 yard line in line with the spot where the ball went out of bounds.
 
  • striker cannot contact the ball again until it is touched by another player.
 
  • all players must be at least 5 yards away from the striker of the ball.>
By the Defending Team (long corner):
 
  • a hit taken by an attacker on the back-line 5 yards from the corner flag nearest to where the ball crossed the back-line. The corner must be taken on the side of the field where the ball went out of bounds.
 
  • all players must be at least 5 yards away from the striker.
 
  • the ball must be stopped before a shot on goal is taken.
Conduct of Play:
Unless played with consideration for others, field hockey can be a dangerous game.
A Player shall not:
  • play the ball with the rounded part of the stick
  • take part in or interfere with the game without her own stick in her hand
  • play the ball above her shoulder with any part of the stick
  • play the ball dangerously or in such a way as to be likely to lead to dangerous play. A ball is dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by players.
  • use her stick to hit, hook, hold or interfere with an opponent or opponent's stick
    use any part of the body to intentionally play or stop the ball (exception: goal keeper when she is inside of or on the 10 yard line)
  • obstruct an opponent from attempting to play the ball
Types of Obstruction:
1. Shielding the ball with your stick or any part of your body.
2. Putting your body between your opponent and the ball.
3. Putting your stick between your opponent and the ball.
Breach of Rules (Fouls):
If the rules for conduct of play are broken there are three penalties to choose from - free hit, penalty corner (short corner), penalty stroke.
The choice of penalties depends upon:
  1. Where the foul (breach of rules) occurs
  2. Who fouled - attacker or defender
Fouls inside the 10 yard line:
A) By the attacker
  i) a free hit (10 yard hit out) is given to the defender who places the ball on her own ten yard line in line with the place where the foul occurred.
  ii) Execution of 10 yard hit out (free hit):
   
  • the striker cannot contact the ball again until it is contacted by another player
   
  • all players must be at least 5 yards away from the striker
   
  • ball must be pushed or hit
B) By the defender
  i) a penalty corner (short corner) is given to the attacking team who places the ball on the back-line 10 yards from the goal post on whichever side the attacking team prefers.
  ii) Execution of a penalty corner (short corner):
   
  • the striker can not contact the ball again until it is contacted by another player.
   
  • ball must be pushed or hit, without intentionally raising it
   
  • all remaining attackers shall be on the field with sticks hands and feet not touching the ground inside the ten yard line until the ball has been played
   
  • not more than five defenders including the goal keeper shall be behind the back-line with their sticks hands and feet not touching the ground inside the ten yard line until the ball has been played. The remaining defenders must be behind the 25 yd. line, with their sticks and feet not touching the ground inside the twenty-five yard line, until the ball has been played
   
  • the ball must be stopped before a shot on goal is taken.
   
  • the player taking the hit must have at least one foot outside the field
   
  • the attacker putting the ball into play may not score directly even if the ball is played into the goal by a defender.
C) By the defenders who prevented the probable scoring of a goal:
  i) a penalty stroke shall be awarded to the attacking team.
  ii) Execution of a penalty stroke:
Striker:
   
  • does not change sticks
   
  • does not play the ball from the penalty spot before the whistle
   
  • only takes one step to play the ball
   
  • does not body feint to induce the goalkeeper to move before the stroke is taken
   
  • ball must be pushed, flicked or scooped
   
  • no undue delay playing the ball
   
  • does not follow the stroke towards the goalkeeper
Goalkeeper:
   
  • must wear protective headgear at all times during the game, including a penalty stroke
   
  • both feet on the line
   
  • does not move feet before the stroke has been taken
   
  • does not foul in saving the stroke on goal
General:
   
  • all players other than the two involved in the penalty stroke are behind the 25 yard line
   
  • if a goal is scored or awarded the game is restarted with a centre pass
   
  • if a goal is not scored or awarded a 10 yard hit out is given to a defender in line with the centre of the goal line
Fouls outside the 10 yard line:
Free Hit
A free hit shall be awarded to the non fouling team on the spot where the foul occurred.
  i) Execution of a free hit:
   
  • ball must be stationary before contact
   
  • all players must be at least 5 yards away from the striker
   
  • the striker cannot contact the ball again until it is contacted by another player.
   
  • the striker shall push or hit the ball.
   
  • ball hit into the 10 yard line area can not be raised.
Simultaneous breach of rules by both teams:
  i) A bully is taken on the spot chosen by the umpire, but not within the 10 yard line of either team.
  ii) Execution of the bully:
   
  • a player of each team shall face one another with her own back-line to her right
   
  • ball shall be on the ground between the two players
   
  • the two players tap with their stick the ground to the right of the ball then the flat face of the opponent's stick over the ball, three times alternately, after which either player may play the ball to put it into play.
  
  • all other players must be at least five yards away until the ball is in play
Field: