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🏑 Rules and Regulations of Field Hockey
Field hockey is a fast-paced, skillful sport governed by the rules set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Below is an overview of the key rules and regulations followed in the game:
🔸 1. Team Composition
Each team consists of 11 players on the field at a time, including 1 goalkeeper.
Teams are allowed rolling substitutions throughout the match.
🔸 2. Match Duration
A standard match is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each.
There is a 2-minute break after the first and third quarters and a 10-minute halftime after the second quarter.
🔸 3. Method of Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball is:
Hit from within the shooting circle (also known as the D),
And completely crosses the goal line between the posts.
🔸 4. Basic Rules of Play
Players can only use the flat side of the stick to hit the ball.
The ball cannot touch a player’s feet or body.
Dangerous play, such as lifting the ball recklessly or using the stick in a threatening manner, is not allowed.
Obstruction is not permitted—players must not block others from playing the ball.
🔸 5. Fouls and Penalties
Free Hit: Awarded for general rule violations.
Long Corner: Given when the ball crosses the backline off a defender (not a goal).
Penalty Corner: Awarded for serious fouls committed by defenders inside the circle.
Penalty Stroke: Given when a clear scoring opportunity is unfairly stopped by a defender.
🔸 6. Cards and Discipline
🟩 Green Card: Warning and 2-minute suspension.
🟨 Yellow Card: Temporary suspension (5 to 10 minutes depending on offense).
🟥 Red Card: Permanent suspension for the rest of the match (team plays with one less player).
🔸 7. Field Specifications
The field measures 91.4 meters in length and 55 meters in width.
It includes a shooting circle, penalty spots, and a center line for restarts.
🔸 8. Equipment
Players use a curved hockey stick and a small, hard ball.
Mandatory protective gear includes mouthguards, shin guards, and for goalkeepers, full safety equipment.
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✅ Fair Play and Sportsmanship
All players, coaches, and officials are expected to uphold the values of respect, discipline, and fair play on and off the field.
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Positions
hockey positions are discussed, notions of fluidity are very common. 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 theses lines with the flow of play. A goalkeeper who wears a different color shirt and full protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards and kickers; this player is referred to in the rules as a goalkeeper.
Goal keepers
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 de?ect it in any direction including over the back-line.
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 sends the ball between two defenders and let the player attack the opposing teams goal. There are no set plays unless your team has them.
Free hits
Free hits are awarded when offences are committed outside the scoring circles (the term ‘free hit’ is standard usage but the ball need not be hit). 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.
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, this rule, however, was changed in 2015. The ball is taken up to the 23 metre line, in line with where it went out, the rest of the rules for a long corner stayed the same. These restarts are also known as long corners (as opposed to short corner which is an alternative name for the penalty corner). 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.
Penalty corner
The short or penalty corner is awarded:
A group of five defenders, including the goalkeeper, prepare on the back line for a short corner.
- for an offence by a defender in the circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal
- 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
- for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metre area they are defending
- for intentionally playing the ball over the back-line by a defender
- when the ball becomes lodged in a player’s clothing or equipment while in the circle they are defending
Penalty stroke
A penalty stroke is awarded when a defender commits a foul in the circle (accidental or otherwise) that prevents a probable goal or commits a deliberate foul in the circle or if defenders repeatedly run from the back line too early at a penalty corner. The penalty stroke is taken by a single attacker in the circle, against the goalkeeper, from a spot 6.4 m from goal. The ball is played only once at goal by the attacker using a push, flick or scoop stroke. 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.