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.
Print Out Umpire Hand Signals >> [1]
The Game
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.
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 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
Play the ball with the rounded side of the stick.
Charge, hit, shove or trip an opponent
Use the foot or leg to support the stick in order to resist an opponent
Advance the ball by any means other than with the stick.
Hit, hook, hold or interfere with an opponents stick: Free Hit
No player of the opposing team may be within 5 yards of the ball when hit.
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 |
Links:
[1] http://www.usfieldhockey.com/hockey/signals.pdf