FIELD HOCKEY

Field hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing
or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal.

The name field hockey is used in countries where the word hockey is usually reserved for another
form of hockey, such as ice hockey or street hockey.

Hockey has several regular international tournaments for both men and women. These include the
Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the quadrennial Hockey World Cups, the annual
Champions Trophies and World Cups for juniors.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the global governing body. It organizes events such
as the Hockey World Cup and Women's Hockey World Cup. The Hockey Rules Board under FIH
produces rules for the sport.

In countries where winter prevents play outdoors, hockey is played indoors during the off-season.
This variant, indoor field hockey, differs in a number of respects. For example, it is 6-a-side rather
than 11, the field is reduced to approximately 40 m x 20 m; the shooting circles are 9m; players
may not raise the ball outside the circle nor hit it. The sidelines are replaced with barriers to
rebound the ball.

HISTORY

Ancient Field Hockey players in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens

Games played with curved sticks and a ball has been found throughout history and the world.
There are 4000-year-old drawings from Egypt. Hurling dates to before 1272 BC and there is a
depiction from 500 BC in Ancient Greece when the game was called ("kerētízein") because it was
played with a horn ("κέρας" in Greek) and a ball-like object.[3] In Inner Mongolia, China, the Daur
people have been playing Beikou (a game similar to modern field hockey) for about 1,000 years.
There were hockey-like games throughout Europe during the Middle Ages[and the word 'hockey'
was recorded in 1363 when Edward III of England issued the proclamation: "[m]moreover we
ordain that you prohibit under penalty of imprisonment all and sundry from such stone, wood and
iron throwing; handball, football, or hockey; coursing and cock-fighting, or other such idle games"
The modern game grew from English public schools in the early 19th century. The first club was
in 1849 at Blackheath in south-east London, but the modern rules grew out of a version played by
Middlesex cricket clubs for winter sport. Teddington Hockey Club formed the modern game by
introducing the striking circle and changing the ball to a sphere from a rubber cube. The Hockey
Association was founded in 1886. The first international took place in 1895 (Ireland 3, Wales 0)
and the International Rules Board was founded in 1900. Hockey was played at the Summer
Olympics in 1908 and 1920. It was dropped in 1924, leading to the foundation of the Fédération
Internationale de Hockey sur Gazon (FIH) as an international governing body by seven continental
European nations, and hockey was reinstated in 1928. Men's hockey united under the FIH in 1970.

The two oldest trophies are the Irish Senior Cup, which 1st XI teams compete for, and the Irish
Junior Cup

The game had been taken to India by British servicemen and the first clubs formed in Calcutta in
1885 .The Beighton Cup and the Aga Khan tournament commenced within ten years. Entering the
Olympics in 1928, India won all five games without conceding a goal and won from 1932 until
1956 and then in 1964 and 1980. Pakistan won in 1960, 1968 and 1984.

In the early 1970s artificial turf began to be used. Synthetic pitches changed most aspects of
hockey, gaining speed. New tactics and techniques such as the Indian dribble developed, followed
by new rules to take account. The switch to synthetic surfaces ended Indian and Pakistani
domination because artificial turf was too expensive—in comparison to the wealthier European
countries—and since the 1970s Australia, The Netherlands and Germany have dominated at the
Olympics.

Women's hockey was first played at British universities and schools, and the first club, Molesey
Ladies, was founded in 1887. The first national association was the Irish Ladies Hockey Union in
1894 and though rebuffed by the Hockey Association, women's hockey grew rapidly around the
world. This led to the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) in
1927, though this did not include many continental European countries where women played as
sections of men's associations and were affiliated to the FIH. The IFWHA held conferences every
three years, and tournaments associated with these were the primary IFWHA competitions. These
tournaments were non-competitive until 1975.
By the early 1970s there were 22 associations with women's sections in the FIH and 36 associations
in the IFWHA. Discussions started about a common rule book. The FIH introduced competitive
tournaments in 1974, forcing the acceptance of the principle of competitive hockey by the IFWHA
in 1973. It took until 1982 for the two bodies to merge, but this allowed the introduction of women's
hockey to the Olympic Games from 1980 where, as in the men's game, The Netherlands, Germany,
and Australia have been consistently strong. Argentina has emerged as a team to be reckoned with
since 2000, winning the world championship in 2002 and medals at the last three Olympics.

Outside North America, participation is now fairly evenly balanced between men and women. For
example, in England, the England Hockey reports that as of the 2008–09 seasons there were 2488
registered men's teams, 1969 women's teams, 1042 boys' teams, 966 girls' teams and 274 mixed
teams. In 2006 the Irish Hockey Association reported that the gender split among its players was
approximately 65% female and 35% male. In its 2008 census, Hockey Australia reported 40,534
male club players and 41,542 female. However, in the United States of America, there are few
hockey clubs, most play taking place between high school or college sides, almost entirely of
females. The strength of college hockey reflects the impact of Title IX which mandated that
colleges should fund men's and women's sports programmes comparably.

The field of play

 The field of play is rectangular, 91.40 metres long and 55.00 metres wide.
 Side-lines mark the longer perimeters of the field;
 backlines mark the shorter perimeters of the field.
 The goal-lines are the parts of the backlines between the goal-posts.
 A centre-line is marked across the middle of the field.
 Lines known as 23 metres lines are marked across the field 22.90 metres from each back-
line.
 Areas referred to as the circles are marked inside the field around the goals and opposite
the centres of the backlines.
 Penalty spots 150 mm in diameter are marked in front of the centre of each goal with the
centre of each spot 6.40 metres from the inner edge of the goal-line.
 All lines are 75 mm wide and are part of the field of play.
 Flag-posts between 1.20 and 1.50 metres in height are placed at each corner of the field.
 Goals are positioned outside the field of play at the centre of and touching each back-line.
 No equipment or items, such as helmets, face masks, hand protectors, towels, water bottles
etc. may be placed inside the goals.

Field hockey can be played either in grass field, murram or artificial turfs,

Traditional grass pitches are far less common in modern hockey with most hockeys being
played on synthetic surfaces.

Since the 1970s, sand-based pitches were favoured as they dramatically speed up the pace of
the game.

However, in recent years there has been a massive increase in the number of "water-based"
artificial turfs.

Water-based synthetic turfs enable the ball to be transferred more quickly than on the original
sand-based surfaces and it is this characteristic that has made them the surface of choice for
international and national league competitions.

Water-based surfaces are also less abrasive than the sand-based variety, they reduce the level
of injury to players when they come into contact with the surface.

The FIH proposes that new surfaces being laid should be of a hybrid variety which require less
watering. Because of the negative ecological effects of the high water requirements of water-
based synthetic fields.
Shooting Circles
There are two Shooting Circles, one in front of each of the goals. The Shooting Circles are 16-
yard (14.63 Meter) semicircles.

Penalty Spot
There is a Penalty Spot, 7 yards (6.4 meters) in front of each goal and is where penalty strokes
are taken.

Nets
The nets are 7 feet (2.14 metes) tall, 12 feet (4 yards or 3.66 metes) wide and 4 feet (1.22 metes)
deep.

Backboard
The backboard is made out of wood and runs around inside of the bottom of the goal below the
net. It is 17.71 inches (45 centimeters) tall. Can be particularly important on Penalty Corner
shots.

Field hockey stick

 Each player carries a "stick" that normally measures between 80–95 cm (31–38") long
 The length of the stick (the rake or bow) must have a continuous smooth profile along the
whole length, must occur along the face side or the back of the stick but not both and is
limited to a depth of 25 mm
 Inclusive of any additional coverings used, the stick must be able to pass through a ring
with an interior diameter of 51 mm any curvature along
 It weighs from between approximately 150 g to 800g, shorter or longer sticks are available.
 Sticks were traditionally made of wood, but are now often made also with fibre glass,
kevlar and/or carbon fibre composites.
 The stick has a traditional shape with a handle and a curved head which is flat on its left
side:
 The stick must be smooth and must not have any rough or sharp parts
 Metal is forbidden from use in field hockey sticks, due to the risk of injury from sharp
edges if the stick were to break.
 The stick has a rounded handle, has a J-shaped hook at the bottom, and is flattened on the
left side (when looking down the handle with the hook facing upwards).
 All sticks are right handed.
 Left handed sticks are not permitted.
 The stick is held with the left hand at the top and the right hand slightly above the splice
i.e. around the middle).
 Requests for an exception to the length of the shaft (only) may be submitted in writing to
and must be approved by the IIHF prior to any such stick being used. Only Players 2.0 m
tall or more will be considered for exception. Maximum length of a stick granted an
exception under this rule is 1.65 m.
 The aim here is to make the stick feel like the extension of the arm. Only the flat side of
the stick is to be used.
 The stick must conform with the specification agreed by the FIH rules committee.
Field hockey ball

 The field hockey ball has a core filled with cork.

 Standard field hockey balls are hard spherical balls, made of plastic (sometimes over a cork
core).
 They are usually white (or an agreed colour which contrasts with the playing surface) for
both indoor and outdoor events.
 The balls have a circumference of 224–235 mm and weigh 156–163 g.
 The ball is often covered with indentations (dimpled) to reduce aquaplaning that can cause
an inconsistent ball speed on wet surfaces, to maintain velocity and reduce friction .

Playing Uniform
 Safety equipment

Goalkeeping equipment

 A fully equipped goalkeeper must wear a helmet, leg guards and kickers. Usually the field
hockey goalkeepers must wear extensive additional protective equipment including chest
guards, padded shorts, heavily padded hand protectors, groin protectors, neck guards, arm
guards, and like all players, they must carry a stick.

 A goalie may not cross the 23 m line, the sole exception to this being if the goalkeeper is
to take a penalty stroke at the other end of the field, when the clock is stopped. The
goalkeeper can also remove their helmet for this action.

 However, if the goalkeeper elects to wear only a helmet (and a different colored shirt), they
may cross the 23 m line if they have removed their helmet (and placed it safely off the field
of play). If play returns to the circle without them having opportunity to replace the helmet,
this player still has "goalkeeping privileges", that is, they are not limited to using their stick
to play the ball whilst it is in the circle, and the helmet must be worn whilst defending
penalty corners and penalty strokes but the best thing to do would be to wear it at all times.

 While goaltenders are allowed to use their feet and hands to clear the ball, they too are only
allowed to use one side of their stick. Slide tackling is permitted as long as it is with the
intention of clearing the ball, not aimed at a player. It is now also even possible for teams
to have a full eleven outfield players and no goalkeeper at all.
 No player may wear a helmet or other goalkeeping equipment, neither will any player be
able to play the ball with any other part of the body than with their stick. This may be used
to offer a tactical advantage, or to allow for play to commence if no goalkeeper or kit is
available.

Team composition
  A maximum of eleven players from each team take part in play at any particular time during
the match.
 If a team has more than the permitted number of players on the field, time should be stopped
to correct the situation. A personal penalty may be awarded against the captain of the team
involved, if inadvertently having too many players on the pitch occurs for a very short
period of time and does not materially affect the match.
 In cases where this occurs and materially affects the match, a personal penalty must be
awarded against the captain of the team involved. Decisions taken prior to correcting the
situation cannot be changed, if time and/or play has already been re-started. Play and time
is restarted with a free hit to the opposing team unless another penalty had been awarded
against the offending team immediately before time was stopped in which case that penalty
is taken.
 Each team has either a goalkeeper on the field or plays only with field players.
 Each team may play with: – a goalkeeper wearing a different colour shirt and protective
equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards and kickers; this player is referred to
in these Rules as a goalkeeper; or
 only field players; no player has goalkeeping privileges or wears a different colour shirt;
no player may wear protective headgear except a face mask when defending a penalty
corner or a penalty stroke; all team players wear the same colour shirt.

Substitution

 substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty
corner until after it has been completed; during this period substitution is only permitted
for injury to or suspension of the defending goalkeeper
o If another penalty corner is awarded before completion of the previous penalty
corner, substitution other than for an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper
must not take place until the retaken penalty corner has been completed.
o At a penalty corner, a defending goalkeeper who is injured or suspended may be
substituted by another goalkeeper or by a player.
o If a team has only field players, no substitution is permitted at a penalty corner until
it has been completed.
 o If the goalkeeper is suspended, the offending team plays with one fewer player.
 there is no limit to the number of players who are permitted to be substituted at the same
time or to the number of times any player is permitted to substitute or be substituted
 substitution of a player is permitted only after that player has left the field
 substitutions are not permitted for suspended players during their suspension
 after completing a suspension, a player is permitted to be substituted without first returning
to the field,
 players must leave or enter the field for substitution purposes within 3 metres of the
centreline on a side of the field agreed with the umpires
 time is stopped for any substitution involving goalkeepers but not for other substitutions.
NB: Time is stopped briefly to permit a goalkeeper to take part in a substitution. The time
stoppage is not extended for a player to put on or take off protective equipment as part of
a substitution including following a goalkeeper injury or suspension.

 Field players who leave the field for injury treatment, refreshment, to change equipment or
for some reason other than substitution are only permitted to re-enter between the 23 metres
areas on the side of the field used for substitutions.
 Leaving and re-entering the field as part of play (e.g. when a defender puts
on a face mask at a penalty corner) takes place at any appropriate part of the
field.
 No persons other than field players, goalkeepers and umpires are permitted on the field
during the match without the permission of an umpire.
 Players on or off the field are under the jurisdiction of the umpires throughout the match
including the half-time interval.
 A player who is injured or bleeding must leave the field unless medical reasons prevent
this and must not return until wounds have been covered; players must not wear blood-
stained clothing.

Captains

 One player of each team must be appointed as captain.

 A replacement captain must be appointed when a captain is suspended.
  Captains must wear a distinctive arm-band or similar distinguishing article on an upper arm
or shoulder or over the upper part of a sock.
 Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team and for ensuring that
substitutions of players on their team are carried out correctly.
 A personal penalty is awarded if a captain does not exercise these
responsibilities.

Positions

Each team can be fielded with a maximum of 11 players and will typically arrange themselves into
forwards, midfielders, and defensive players (fullbacks) with players frequently moving between
these lines with the flow of play. Each team may also play with: The player's responsibilities are
as follows:

Center Forward: There is one Center Forward and this position tries to score goals and so they
position themselves near the Shooting Circle. When on defense the Center Forward will guard the
opposing teams Fullbacks. The Center Forward stays close to the middle of the field.

Center Halfback: The Center Halfback, like the Center Forward tries to stay in the middle of the
field. Because they stay in the center of the field they are able to pass the ball in any direction
when moving the ball up the field. When playing defense they will guard the other teams Center
Forward.

Right and Left inside Forwards: These positions are part offensive and part defense. On Offense
the players are responsible for starting attacks by getting the ball from their teams Fullbacks or
Halfbacks and passing it on to either the Wingers or Center Forward.
On Defense they assist the Right and Left Halfbacks. This Inside Forwards are positioned on both
sides of the Center Forward.

Right and Left Halfbacks: They try and control the middle of the field with the help of the Inside
Forwards. Right and Left Halfbacks are primarily a defensive position and they will try and disrupt
the offense of the opposing team. They will attempt to take the ball away from opposing players
before they can move the ball up the field and before they have an opportunity to put the ball in a
position where a goal shot can be taken. Their responsibility is to guard the opposing team’s
wingers.

Right and Left Wingers: The Wingers usually position themselves near the sidelines and they
will stay in their opponent's side of the field. When they get the ball they will try and move it
towards the opposing goal before they pass it to the Center Forward.

Right and Left Fullbacks: Right and Left Fullbacks play close to the goal and they cover the
opposing teams Inside Forwards to prevent them form creating scoring opportunities. If they are
able to get the ball they need to quickly move it forward to get it away from their goal area and to
get their team back on offense.

Goalkeeper: The Goalkeepers job is to defend the goal and to block shots that are taken on
goal. The Goalkeeper is the only player that can touch the ball with their body but they are not
allowed to pick it up or cover it up, as for example, a goalkeeper in Ice Hockey is allowed to hold
and cover a puck.

General play

 All players on the team in possession of the ball are attackers, and those on the team
without the ball are defenders, yet throughout the game being played you are always
"defending" your goal and "attacking" the opposite goal.

 The match is officiated by two field umpires. Traditionally each umpire generally controls
half of the field, divided roughly diagonally. These umpires are often assisted by a technical
bench including a timekeeper and record keeper (Jury).

 Prior to the start of the game, a coin is tossed and the winning captain can choose a starting
end or start with the ball. The game time is divided into two equal halves of 35 minutes
 each, with 5–10 minutes for half-time, although at local and regional level, games may be
reduced to 25- to 30-minute halves to ease turf availability constraints.

 At the start of each half, as well as after goals are scored, play is started with a pass from
the centre of the field. All players must start in their defensive half (apart from the player
making the pass), but the ball may be played in any direction along the floor. Each team
starts with the ball in one half, and the team that conceded the goal has possession for the
restart.

 Field players may only play the ball with the face of the stick. If the back side of the stick
is used, it is a penalty and the other team will get the ball back. Tackling is permitted as
long as the tackler does not make contact with the attacker or his stick before playing the
ball (contact after the tackle may also be penalised if the tackle was made from a position
where contact was inevitable). Further, the player with the ball may not deliberately use
his body to push a defender out of the way.
 Field players may not play the ball with their feet, but if the ball accidentally hits the feet,
and the player gains no benefit from the contact, then the contact is not penalised. Although
there has been a change in the wording of this rule from 1 January 2007, the current FIH
umpires' briefing instructs umpires not to change the way they interpret this rule.

Rules and play

The game starts with a centre pass

 A centre pass is taken at the centre of the field
 It is permitted to play the ball in any direction
 Until the ball is played all players other than the player taking the centre pass must be in
the half of the field which includes the goal they are defending
 The procedures for taking a free hit apply
 The game is played between two teams of whom eleven are permitted to be on the pitch at
any one time. The remaining players, the substitutes, may be substituted in any
combination. There is an unlimited amount of times a team can sub in and out. Substitutions
 are permitted at any point in the game, apart from between the award and end of a penalty
corner; two exceptions to this rule is for injury or suspension of the defending goalkeeper,
which is not allowed when playing with a field keep, or a player can exit the field, but you
must wait until after the inserter touches the ball to put somebody back in.

 Field players are permitted to use their stick. They are not allowed to use their feet and legs
to propel the ball, stop the ball or deflect it in any direction including over the back-line.

 Players are permitted to play the ball with the flat of the 'face side' and with the edges of
the head and handle of the field hockey stick with the exception that, for reasons of safety,
the ball may not be struck 'hard' with a forehand edge stroke, because of the difficulty of
controlling the height and direction of the ball from that stroke.

 The flat side is always on the "natural" side for a right-handed person swinging the stick at
the ball from right to left. Left-handed sticks are rare, but available; however they are
pointless as the rules forbid their use in a game. To make a strike at the ball with a left to
right swing the player must present the flat of the 'face' of the stick to the ball by 'reversing'
the stick head, i.e. by turning the handle through approximately 180°(while a reverse edge
hit would turn the stick head through approximately 90° from the position of an upright
forehand stoke with the 'face' of the stick head).

 Other rules include no foot to ball contact, obstructing other players, high back swing, and
no third party. If a player is dribbling the ball and either loses control and kicks the ball or
another player interferes that player is not permitted to gain control and continue dribbling.
The rules do not allow the person who kicked the ball to gain advantage from the kick, so
the ball will automatically be passed on to the opposing team. Conversely, if no advantage
is gained from kicking the ball, play should continue. Players may not obstruct another's
chance of hitting the ball in any way. No shoving/using your body/stick to prevent
advancement in the other team. Penalty for this is the opposing team receives the ball and
if the problem continues, the player can be carded. While a player is taking a free hit or
 starting a corner the back swing of their hit cannot be too high for this is considered
dangerous. Finally there may not be three players touching the ball at one time. Two players
from opposing teams can battle for the ball, however if another player interferes it is
considered third party, and the ball automatically goes to the team who only had one player
involved in the third party.

Conduct of play:

Goalkeepers

 A goalkeeper must not take part in the match outside the 23 metres area they are
defending, except when taking a penalty stroke. Protective headgear must be worn by
a goalkeeper at all times, except when taking a penalty stroke.
 When the ball is inside the circle they are defending and they have their stick in their
hand: a Goalkeepers are permitted to use their stick, feet, kickers, legs or leg guards or
any other part of their body to deflect the ball over the back-line or to play the ball in
any other direction. Goalkeepers are not permitted to conduct themselves in a manner
which is dangerous to other players by taking advantage of the protective equipment
they wear.
 Goalkeepers must not lie on the ball.
 When the ball is outside the circle they are defending, goalkeepers are only permitted
to play the ball with their stick.

Dangerous play and raised balls.

 A ball that has been lifted high so that it will fall among close opponents may be deemed
to be potentially dangerous and play may be stopped for that reason. A lifted ball that is
falling to a player in clear space may be made potentially dangerous by the actions of an
opponent closing to within 5m of the receiver before the ball has been controlled to
ground – a rule which is often only loosely applied; the distance allowed is often only what
might be described as playing distance, 2–3 m, and opponents tend to be permitted to close
on the ball as soon as the receiver plays it: these unofficial variations are often based on
the umpire's perception of the skill of the players i.e. on the level of the game, in order to
 maintain game flow, which umpires are in general in both Rules and Briefing instructed to
do, by not penalising when it is unnecessary to do so, this is also a matter in the umpire's
discretion.

 The term "falling ball" is important in what may be termed encroaching offences. It is
generally only considered an offence to encroach on an opponent receiving a lifted ball that
has been lifted to above head height (although the height is not specified in rule) and is
falling. So, for example, a lifted shot at the goal which is still rising as it crosses the goal
line (or would have been rising as it crossed the goal line) can be legitimately followed up
by any of the attacking team looking for a rebound.

 In general, even potentially dangerous play is not penalised if an opponent is not

disadvantage by it or, obviously, not injured by it so that he cannot continue. A personal
penalty, that is a caution or a suspension, rather than a team penalty, such as a free ball or
a penalty corner, may be issued to the guilty party after an advantage allowed by the umpire
has been played out in any situation where an offence has occurred, including dangerous
play (but once advantage has been allowed the umpire cannot then call play back and award
a team penalty).

 It is not an offence to lift the ball over an opponent's stick (or body on the ground), provided
that it is done with consideration for the safety of the opponent and not dangerously. For
example, a skillful attacker may lift the ball over a defenders stick or prone body and run
past them, however if the attacker lifts the ball into or at the defender's body, this would
almost certainly be regarded as dangerous.

 It is not against the rules to bounce the ball on the stick and even to run with it while doing
so, as long as that does not lead to a potentially dangerous conflict with an opponent who
is attempting to make a tackle. For example, two players trying to play at the ball in the air
 at the same time, would probably be considered a dangerous situation and it is likely that
the player who first put the ball up or who was so 'carrying' it would be penalised.

 Dangerous play rules also apply to the usage of the stick when approaching the ball, making
a stroke at it (replacing what was at one time referred to as the "sticks" rule, which once
forbade the raising of any part of the stick above the shoulder during any play. This last
restriction has been removed but the stick should still not be used in a way that endangers
an opponent) or attempting to tackle, (fouls relating to tripping, impeding and obstruction).
The use of the stick to strike an opponent will usually be much more severely dealt with
by the umpires than offences such as barging, impeding and obstruction with the body,
although these are also dealt with firmly, especially when these fouls are intentional: field
hockey is a non-contact sport.

 Players may not play or attempt to play at the ball above their shoulders unless trying to
save a shot that could go into the goal, in which case they are permitted to stop the ball or
deflect it safely away. A swing, as in a hit, at a high shot at the goal (or even wide of the
goal) will probably be considered dangerous play if at opponents within 5 m and such a
stroke would be contrary to rule in these circumstances anyway.

Goalkeeping

 When the ball is inside the circle they are defending and they have their stick in their hand,
goalkeepers wearing full protective equipment are permitted to use their stick, feet, kickers
or leg guards to propel the ball and to use their stick, feet, kickers, leg guards or any other
part of their body to stop the ball or deflect it in any direction including over the back-line.

 Neither goalkeeper or players with goalkeeping privileges are permitted to conduct

themselves in a manner which is dangerous to other players by taking advantage of the
protective equipment they wear.
  Neither goalkeepers or players with goalkeeping privileges may lie on the ball, however,
they are permitted to use arms, hands and any other part of their body to push the ball away.
Lying on the ball will result into a penalty shot.

* The action above is permitted only as part of a goal saving action or to move the ball away
from the possibility of a goal scoring action by opponents. It does not permit a goalkeeper
or player with goalkeeping privileges to propel the ball forcefully with arms, hands or
body so that it travels a long distance

When the ball is outside the circle they are defending, goalkeepers or players with goalkeeping
privileges are only permitted to play the ball with their stick. Further, a goalkeeper, or player with
goalkeeping privileges whom is wearing a helmet must not take part in the match outside the 23m
area they are defending, except when taking a penalty stroke. A goalkeeper must wear protective
headgear at all times, except when taking a penalty stroke.

Three circumstances when Obstruction can occur.

 When a defender comes between the player with possession and the ball in order to prevent
them tackling
 When a defender's stick comes between the attacker's stick and the ball or makes contact
with the attacker's stick or body
 When blocking the opposition's attempt to tackle a teammate with the ball (called third
party obstruction).

Circumstances when the ball is regarded out of play and how it is restarted

1. The ball is out of play when it passes completely over the side-line play is re-started where
the ball crossed the line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply. Play is restarted by
 a player of the team which was not the last team to touch or play the ball before it went out
of play.
2. When the ball is played over the back-line and no goal is scored : if played by an attacker,
play is re-started with the ball up to 15 metres from and in line with where it crossed the
back-line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply
3. If played unintentionally by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper or player with
goalkeeping privileges, play is re-started with the ball on the mark 5 metres from the corner
of the field on the side-line nearest to where the ball crossed the back-line and the
procedures for taking a free hit apply
4. If played intentionally by a defender, unless deflected by a goalkeeper or player with
goalkeeping privileges, play is re-started with a penalty corner.

Set plays

Set plays are often utilized for specific situations such as a penalty corner or free hit. For instance,
many teams have penalty corner variations that they can use to beat the defensive team. The coach
may have plays that send though balls between two defenders and let the player attack the opposing
team’s goal. There are no set plays unless your team has them.

Free hits A free hit is awarded to the opposing team:

 for an offence by any player between the 23 metres areas

 for an offence by an attacker within the 23 metres area their opponents are defending
 for an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23 metres area
they are defending

The ball may be hit, pushed or lifted in any direction by the team offended against. The ball can
be lifted from a free hit but not by hitting, you must flick or scoop to lift from a free hit. (In previous
rules versions hits in the area outside the circle in open play have been permitted but lifting one
direction from a free hit prohibited). Opponents must move 5 m (5.5 yd) from the ball when a free
hit is awarded. A free hit must be taken from within playing distance of the place of the offence
for which it was awarded and the ball must be stationary when the free-hit is taken.

1. 15 m hit

15 m hit is awarded if an attacking player commits a foul forward of that line, or if the ball passes
over the back line off an attacker. These free hits are taken in line with where the foul was
committed (taking a line parallel with the sideline between where the offence was committed, or
the ball went out of play). When an attacking free hit is awarded within 5 m of the circle everyone
including the person taking the penalty must be five metres from the circle and everyone apart
from the person taking the free hit must be five metres away from the ball. When taking an
attacking free hit the ball may not be hit straight into the circle if you are within your attacking 23
metre area (25 yard area). It must travel 5 metres before going in. A player taking a free hit can
pass the ball to themselves but it is not a "play on" situation, but to the untrained eye it may appear
to be. The player must play the ball any distance in two separate motions, before continuing as if
it were a play-on situation. They may raise an aerial or overhead immediately as the second action,
or any other stroke permitted by the rules of field hockey

Also, all players (from both teams) must be at least 5 m from any free hit awarded to the attack
within the 23 m area. Additionally, no free hits to the attack are permitted within 5m of the circle,
so if a free hit is awarded inside this area it must be dragged back outside this zone. The ball may
not travel directly into the circle from a free hit to the attack within the 23 m area without first
being touched by another player or being dribbled at least 5 m by a player making a "self-pass".
This applies to all free hit situations, including sideline and corner hits.

2. Corner

A corner is awarded if the ball goes over the back line after last being touched by a defender,
provided they do not play it over the back line deliberately, in which case a penalty corner is
awarded. Corners are played by the attacking team and involve a free hit on the sideline 5 m from
the corner of the field closest to where the ball went out of play. These restarts are also known as
long corners. The defense must wait until the offender passes the ball in. The offender has to pull
the ball out of the circle before trying to make a goal.
3. Penalty corner

A group of five defenders, including the goalkeeper, prepare on the back line for a short corner.

Reason for taking a penalty corner

1. for an offence by a defender in the circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a
goal
2. for an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does not
have possession of the ball or an opportunity to play the ball
3. for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metre area they
are defending
4. for intentionally playing the ball over the back-line by a defender
5. when the ball becomes lodged in a player's clothing or equipment while in the circle they
are defending

Taking a penalty corner:

 the ball is placed on the back-line inside the circle at least 10 metres from the goal-post on
whichever side of the goal the attacking team prefers
 an attacker pushes or hits the ball without intentionally raising it
 the attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line must have at least one foot outside
the field
 the other attackers must be on the field, outside the circle with sticks, hands and feet not
touching the ground inside the circle
 no defender or attacker other than the attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line is
permitted to be within 5 metres of the ball when the push or hit is taken if not more than
five defenders, including the goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges if there is
one, must be positioned behind the back-line with their sticks, hands and feet not touching
the ground inside the field
 If the team defending a penalty corner has chosen to play only with field players, none of
the defenders referred to above has goalkeeping privileges.
 the other defenders must be beyond the centre-line until the ball has been played,
 no attacker other than the one taking the push or hit from the back-line is permitted to enter
the circle and no defender is permitted to cross the centre-line or back-line
 after playing the ball, the attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line must not play
the ball again or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another
player
 a goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle
 if the first shot at goal is a hit (as opposed to a push, flick or scoop), the ball must cross the
goal-line, or be on a path which would have resulted in it crossing the goal-line, at a height
of not more than 460 mm (the height of the backboard) before any deflection, for a goal to
be scored
The requirements of this Rule apply even if the ball
 Touches the stick or body of a defender before the first shot at goal.
 If the first shot at goal is a hit and the ball is, or will be, too high crossing the goal-
line it must be penalised even if the ball is subsequently deflected off the stick or
body of another player.
 The ball may be higher than 460 mm during its flight before it crosses the goal-line
provided there is no danger and provided it would drop of its own accord below
460 mm before crossing the line.
 ‘Slap’ hitting the ball, which involves a long pushing or sweeping movement with
the stick before making contact with the ball, is regarded as a hit.
 For second and subsequent hits at the goal and for flicks, deflections and scoops, it
is permitted to raise the ball to any height, but this must not be dangerous
 A defender who is clearly running into the shot or into the taker without attempting
to play the ball with their stick must be penalised for dangerous play.
 Otherwise, if a defender is within five metres of the first shot at goal during the taking of a
penalty corner and is struck by the ball below the knee, another penalty corner must be
awarded is struck on or above the knee in a normal stance, the shot is judged to be
dangerous and a free hit must be awarded to the defending team.
  The penalty corner Rules no longer apply if the ball travels more than 5 metres from the
circle.

The penalty corner is completed when:

 a goal is scored
 a free hit is awarded to the defending team
 the ball travels more than 5 metres outside the circle
 the ball is played over the back-line and a penalty corner is not awarded
 a defender commits an offence which does not result in another penalty corner
 a penalty stroke is awarded
 a bully is awarded if play is stopped because of an injury or for any other reason during the
taking of a penalty corner at the end of a prolonged first or second half and a bully would
otherwise be awarded, the penalty corner must be taken again

4. Penalty stroke

A penalty stroke is awarded:

 For an offence by a defender in the circle which prevents the probable scoring of a goal
 For an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who has
possession of the ball or
 An opportunity to play the ball for defenders persistently crossing over the back-line before
permitted during the taking of penalty corners.

NB; If there is another offence or misconduct before the awarded penalty has been taken

 A free hit may be progressed up to 10 metres

 A free hit to the attack cannot be progressed to inside the circle.
 A more severe penalty may be awarded
 A personal penalty may be awarded

The penalty may be reversed if the subsequent offence was committed by the team first awarded
the penalty.
  The penalty stroke is taken by a single attacker in the circle, against the goalkeeper, from
a spot 6.4 m from goal, central and directly in front of the goal.
 All the other players must be beyond the 23-m line
 The goalkeeper must stand with feet on the goal line, and cannot move them until the ball
is played.
 The attacker, on the umpire’s whistle, may push, scoop or flick the ball at the goal and
goalkeeper attempts to make a save.
 If the shot is saved, play is restarted with a 15 m hit to the defenders. When a goal is scored,
play is restarted in the normal way.

Situations when the Umpires blows the whistle

 Start and end each half of the match

 Start a bully
 Enforce a penalty
 Start and end a penalty stroke
 Indicate a goal
 re-start the match after a goal has been scored
 To start and stop the time after the awarding of a penalty corner
 Re-start the match after a penalty stroke when a goal was not scored
 Stop the match for the substitution onto or off the field of a fully equipped goalkeeper and
to restart the match on completion of the substitution
 Stop the match for any other reason and to re-start it
 Indicate, when necessary, that the ball has passed wholly outside the field

Warnings and suspensions

 The penalty cards

1. Green Card (Warning)

2. Yellow Card (Temporary Suspension)
3. Red Card (Permanent Suspension)

Hockey uses a three-tier penalty card system of warnings and suspensions:

i. A green card is fairly similar to an association-football yellow card: they are used for
warnings and the player does not have to leave the pitch (although at international standard
the player has to leave the field for two minutes), but any further infractions will result in
a yellow or red card. Green cards are normally triangular,
ii. A yellow card is an official suspension or to remove a player from the game for a minimum
of five minutes, The duration is decided by the umpire issuing the card and the player must
go to a pre-defined area of the pitch as chosen by the umpires at the beginning of the match.
Most umpires will opt for a minimum of five minutes' duration without substitution; the
maximum time is at the discretion of the umpire, depending on the seriousness of the
offence, for example the second yellow to the same player or the first for danger might be
given ten minutes. It is possible to yellow-card a player for the entirety of a game. (In some
modes, including indoor, shorter periods of suspension are applied, dependent on local
rules). yellow cards rectangular
iii. A red card, just like in association football, is a permanent exclusion from the rest of the
game, without substitution, and it usually results in the player being banned for a certain
period of time or number of matches (this is governed by local playing conditions, rather
than the rules of field hockey). The player must also leave the pitch and surrounding area.
red cards circular.

A player may receive more than one green or yellow card. However, they cannot receive
the same card for the same offence (for example two yellows for dangerous play), and the
second must always be a more serious card. In the case of a second yellow card for a
different breach of the rules (for example a yellow for deliberate foot, and a second later in
the game for dangerous play) the temporary suspension would be expected to be of
 considerably longer duration than the first. However, local playing conditions may mandate
that cards are awarded only progressively, and not allow any second awards.

Scoring

The teams' object is to play the ball into their attacking circle and, from there, hit, push or flick the
ball into the goal, scoring a goal. The team with more goals after two 35-minute halves wins the
game. The playing time may be shortened, particularly when younger players are involved, or for
some tournament play.

Tie breaking

In many competitions a tied result stands and the overall competition standings are adjusted
accordingly. Since March 2013, when tie-breaking is required, there is no longer having However,
many associations follow the previous procedure consisting of two periods of 7.5 minutes of
"golden goal" extra time during which the game ends as soon as one team scores.

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
The game of hockey involves such skills as hitting, stopping, the push, flick, dribbling, dodging,
tackling and scoop.

1. THE DRIVE (HITTING)

a) Grip

- Hands together an inch off the top of the stick

- Fingers curled round the handle.
- The fore fingers and thumb of both hands forms an inverted ‘V.’
- Hands are in line with each other.
b) Stance
Head over and in line with the ball
Weight on the right foot which is usually the rear foot while the left foot is in front of the stick.
 c) Method
-
- Too high back lift that determines the speed at which the ball is going to travel since
the force comes from the wrist and not the shoulder joint.
- The left shoulder point the direction in which the ball is going to be hit.
- The back of the left wrist also faces the direction of the ball.
- Palm of the right hand is behind the handle ready to add punch to the stroke.
- At the point of contact, body weight is transferred from the right (rear) foot to the
left foot and there must be a punch from the right hand.
- Then follow through with arms and stick in a straight line pointing after the ball.

d) Use

- Passing the ball across a very long distance.

- Commonly used for scoring.
NB
- Do not drive the ball into an opponent.
- You can drive a stationary or moving ball.

2. Stopping
Even on a good ground a rigidity held stick will most probably cause the ball to bounce off. The
aim in stopping is to gain control and possession as quickly as possible.
The solution therefore is to ‘give’ with you stick and arms as you stop the ball i.e. offer as much
minimum resistance as possible instead of a rigid one. So reach out for the ball with hands apart
to gain maximum control and as the ball touches the blade based with your stick a little and relax
your arms whilst retailing a firm grip.

TEACHING POINTS
(i) Stance
- Slightly apart-when stopping ball in front
- Wide spread with weight on the right for when stopping to the right.
(ii) Grip
- Right hand slightly below the left
- Left hand close to the top of the stick

(iii) Body position

- Knees slightly bent
- Relaxed and leaning forward
- Body in line with direction of the ball
- Keep eyes on the ball throughout.

(iv) Contact of Stick and Ball

- On contact, head of the stick should be on the ground
- Forward inclination of the handle to form an acute angle with the ground.
- Do not swing the stick forward to meet the ball.

3. The Push
a) Grip
 The left hand at the top of the stick and the right-hand mid way down the stick
 Hands wide apart for leverage
b) Stance
 Left foot forward in line with the ball as the stroke is made while body weight is on the
right foot.
 Your chest should be facing the ball
 Place feet a little wider than shoulder width apart and keep your body weight on the
balls of the feet.
 Your body should be perpendicular to where you want the ball to go

c) Execution
- During the push pass the ball will start on your stick,
- Take a step toward your target while pushing your stick forward and keeping the ball on
your stick as long as possible.
- During a push pass you should not hear any hitting sound on the ball
 - Finish in a position with you stick pointing straight to your target.
- The moment of contact must coincide with transference of body weight from the right foot
to the left
- Give a maximum thrust from the right hand behind the handle.
- The strength comes from the wrists and the arms and a lot of body weight goes into the
stroke unlike the drive.
- Give a follow-through that is low hence almost a kneeling position at the end of the stroke.
d) Use
 Frequently comes a time when a player does not have sufficient time to hit the ball, so he
has to push.
 Generally, for short passes /distances
 For scoring.
 For controlled distances passes
 For accurate pass
NB. Generally more accurate but less powerful than the Drive.

4.The scoop
This is an advanced skill that a defender can use and one of the best ways to get out of a high
pressured situation.
The lifting of a stationary or slower moving ball off the ground by placing the head of the stick
slightly under the ball and shoveling the ball forward.

a) Grip
 The left hand at the top of the stick and the right-hand mid way down the stick
 Hands wide apart for leverage

b) Stance
 Left foot forward in line with the ball as the stroke is made while body weight is on the
right foot.
 Your chest should be facing the ball
  Place feet a little wider than shoulder width apart and keep your body weight on the
balls of the feet.
 Your body should be perpendicular to where you want the ball to go
 Right foot in line with direction of pass
c) Method
 This is lifting of a stationary or slower moving ball off the ground by placing the head of
the stick slightly under the ball and shoveling the ball forward.
 The teaching points for methodology of the scoop are the same one as the push except for
the fact that the blade of the stick is slanted and placed under the ball at the point of contact.
This is a very important aspect because if it is not properly done the resulting scoop might
result into dangerous play if too low.
 Position of the ball is stationery
 The stick – blades of the stick should be on the ground
 The stroke – slide bottom edge of the blade under the ball
 Keep the blade in contact with the ball as long as possible
 Power derived from the movement of legs, hips, arms and shoulders.
 Hit upwards and forwards with a shoveling movement

d) Use
 As an overhead pass, sometime it becomes necessary to use an overhead pass especially
where there is over-crowding.
 It is also an advantage in that during the time the ball is in the air above the shoulder height
no player is allowed to play the ball. So your opponents may only watch so long as the ball
is in the air even if they are in a position to reach it.
 Also used for scoring especially during penalty flicks

5. The flick
Teaching points
a) Grip
Similar to that of the push
b) Stance
Similar to that of the push
c) Method
- Push the stick under the ball.
- When the ball runs, along the blade, the left hand quickly lifts the ball with a flick of left wrist

d) Use
- When you are crowded by more than two opponents it is usually difficult to get into a position
so as to be able to drive, push or scoop. So the best solution is to pass the ball by a quick flick of
the wrist with the hands remaining wide apart.

- The ball does not travel far for it is merely a quick movement of the stick and therefore accuracy
and timing are more important than power. No back lift of the stick is necessary since it is merely
a follow through straight from dribbling. This skill is particularly used as an element of surprise
so as to wrong foot your opponents and give him no chance to anticipate your action.
- It is also commonly used for scoring.

6. The dribbling:
Dribbling is running with the ball under close control regardless of whether there is an opponent
or not.

a) Grip:
- Hands should be slightly wide apart and comfortable.
- Pick up the stick with your left hand holding it right at the top. Rest it on the
ground so that it points away from you.
- Palm of the left hands faces to the right while the fore finger and thumb makes
an inverted V on top of the handle.
- Right hand is now placed on the handle three or four inches below. The inverted
V formation formed by both hands should be in the line with each other.
- The flat surface of the blade is always facing to the left.

b) Method:
 - Imagine that the ball is tied to the stick with a string. The closer the ball is to the
Stick the better.
- Always keep your eyes on the ball but at the same time being aware where your
opponents are.
- The ball should be hit first to the left and then with the reverse stick to the right.
- Dribbling is not a question of hitting the ball with the stick and chasing it.

c) Use
- It is sometimes necessary to dribble and beat an opponent before a clean hit is made especially
where there is overcrowding.
- Also used for moving across a distance before passing or scoring

NB.
Footwork is absolutely essential when dribbling
It is necessary to train ones feet so as to get them used to sudden stops and starts, balancing the
body in many different positions and providing sudden burst of speed. Acceleration is very
important.

7. TACKLING
A good tackler will not rush in madly but over poised and balanced, eyes watching the ball, waiting
for the moment when the other player will either lose control of the ball temporarily or make a
mistake. The golden rule in tackling is always to let the other prayer make the first move. There
are two tackling skills in hockey, namely; the lunge tackle and the jab tackle.

a) The Lunge Tackle

Grip –Hold the stick across the body with the hands wide apart and elbows pointing backwards.
Method;
– Body weight on the front foot and either foot can be in front depending on which side the
individual is tackling.
- Swing out by letting go of the stick with right hand in a sweeping movement to finish with the
blade against the ball.
Use;
To get the ball from the opponent.

b) The Jab Tackle

This is an emergency one-handed stroke and can be made from either side of a player with one
hand on the stick.
o Grip- one hand held on top of the stick so as to enable you reaches out.
o Method- Reach out and jab at the ball in a quick movement.
o Use- it is used to momentarily stop on attack especially when not in a position
to prepare for the lunge tackle.
8. The Bully
This is a unique feature of the game and for a very long time, the method was used in starting and
restarting the game of hockey.
a) Grip - Hands wide apart on the stick

b) Method
- Stand square over the line or imaginary line parallel to the goal line with the
feet apart; in the same line with the other and at equal distance from the line i.e.
it the left foot should be one foot from the line on one side then right foot must
be one foot from the line on the other side.
- The head should be held slightly over the ball
- Shoulders are at right angles to the opponent’s goal mouth.
- each player must tap the ground between the ball and his own goal line and then
his opponents stick over the ball three times alternately and then try and gain
possession of all the.
- Only the flat part of the stick may be used

Use
- To re-start the game after a simultaneous offence has occurred by two players
from the opposite teams.
 - In case of a conflicting decision by both umpires
- If the ball gets dislodged in the goalkeepers pads
- After an accident.
9. Dodging
To constitute a successful dodge you have to be in possession of the ball, beat an opponent by
individual effort and still have the ball under close control. Dodging amounts to anticipating what
the opponent is doing and then doing something to counteract it. There are four types of dodges:
the right dodge, the left dodge, scoop dodge and reverse stick dodge.

a) The Right Dodge

Part company with the ball by pushing it to your right (the opponent’s left) whilst swerving and
passing to your left. Collect the ball behind your opponent.

b) The left dodge

Literally retain possession of the ball throughout. Dribble up to your opponent, side step or swerve
to your left pulling the ball away from your would-be tackler and then resume your line or running.

c) The scoop dodges

This is a small controlled scoop. As the opponent comes in to tackle, keep your hands apart lean
forward, slant your stick in order to get the blade under the ball and then lift it over the opponents
stick retrieving it on the other side and continue dribbling. However; this must be done with utmost
control or also it might result in dangerous play.

d) The reverse stick dodge

Dribble up to your opponents, reverse the stick, tap or pull the ball to your right. Accelerate and
then run wide. This is the most commonly used dodge in hockey.

Essentials of Dodging
a) Keep the ball as close to your stick as possible and watch the opposition carefully for the
right moment to make the avoiding action.
 b) Choice of dodge depends on the whereabouts and availability of space (e.g. you cannot use
the right dodge when you are completely on the rights wing).
c) Make your task easier by wrong-footing your opponent. Lead him to believe you intend to
use one method so that his weight begins to move over and then surprise him with another.

10. Reverse stick

Reverse stick passing of the ball is used when it is impossible to get the feet and stick into the right
position for a normal drive or there is little time to do so or perhaps to cut-position or wrong-foot
an opponent
a) Reverse stick hit
- Keep head over the ball and then with a short back lift hit the ball firmly to the right.
b) Reverse stick stop
b) This is a very awkward position from which to play the ball. It is accomplished so as to
increase your range of intervention and is particularly useful to defense players.
c) One handed reverse stick
In order to field a ball that is just out to reach on the non-stick side, reverse the stick and stretch
your left arm aiming to gather the ball and move it to a stronger position: particularly used by
left outers.