Basic Field Hockey Rules

1.      You may only use the flat side of your stick.

2.     You must be properly attired wearing your pennie correctly – 

3.     10 field players plus a goalie play at one time. (Or what class permits)

4.     The field hockey game lasts for two 30 minute halves.

5.     Substitutions – the field player must exit the field at the middle, only then can the new player step onto the field.

6.     The ball cannot go in the air, especially on free hits. This is judged by the discretion of the ref. The exception is a shot on goal, as long as there is not a player in the direct line of the ball and no one is in harm’s way.

7.     Self –start. When taking a hit into the circle, whether it is a free hit or long hit, you cannot directly hit into the circle. You must pass it first or carry the ball for 5 yards before hitting the ball into the circle.

 For free hits anywhere else on the field, you may either: take a direct hit, pass to one of your players, or carry the ball for 3 yards before hitting it.

8.     Any time a foul occurs in either team’s circle, a corner hit will be called.

Fouls

1.      The ball cannot hit your feet.

2.     You cannot raise your stick above your waist during regular play. If you are taking a free hit, it is up to the discretion of the ref.

3.     You cannot "tackle" (go for the ball) from behind. You must face your opponent head on (shoulder to shoulder) if you are fighting for the ball.

4.     No third party. It is one vs. one at all times. Once another player tries to go for the ball, a foul is called.

5.     Obstruction – when your back is turned to another player and you are between the ball and that player.

Official Field Hockey Rules:

Coin Toss

Field Hockey games begin with a coin toss by the umpire. The home team gets to choose whether it wants heads or tails. The team that wins the toss gets its choice of either possession of the ball at the start of the game or the side of the field it would like to defend.

Teams

Each team puts 11 players on the field at a time — ten regular players and one goalie. Five substitution players remain on the sideline. In rare circumstances, a team will choose to pull its goalie off the field in exchange for an extra field player. The players on the sideline can be used as substitutes for any of the players on the field at any given time. The number of substitutions made is up to the umpire.

Positions

Positions in field hockey are not absolute. Generally, though, teams arrange players into defense, midfield, and attack. Most teams choose to have a goalie, but a goalie is not required. Many teams include a single sweeper who acts as a last line of defense in front of the goalie. The minimum number of players needed for a game to be considered a regulation game is nine, including the goalie. Depending on the division and/or league, however, this number can vary.

To have goalkeeping privileges, a player must wear a helmet and a jersey that is a different color than that of her teammates. A full protected goalie cannot leave her side’s defensive 25-yard line during play, unless the goalie is defending a penalty stroke.

Substitute goalkeepers — or “kickers” — do not wear the full goalie equipment; they only wear a helmet, different colored shirt, and sometimes goalie leg pads. Kickers are field players that play goalie only when their team does not have one, or if the team wants an additional player instead of a goalie. They can leave their side’s defensive end, but cannot use their feet or hands outside the 25-yard mark.

Stick Basics & Handling

The head of a hockey stick is hooked. The right-hand side of the stick is rounded, while the left-hand side is flat. The ball can be played on the flat, left-hand side of the stick, or on its edge; it cannot be played on the rounded side. This is natural for right-handed players and unnatural for left-handed players. Unfortunately for lefties, left-handed sticks are not allowed to be used in games.

To make a legal hit to the right without using the rounding side of the stick, a player must turn the stick over the ball and use the flat side. Taking a hit by reversing the stick head — turning the handle approximate 180 degrees over the ball — and striking the ball with a left-to-right swing with the flat side of the stick is called a “reverse hit.”

Keeping the ball under close control is called dribbling, or stick handling. Dribbling is used when running with possession of the ball. It helps a player maneuver past opposing players for a chance to shoot on goal. Other essential skills for playing field hockey are the ability to control, pass, push, stop, and shoot the ball with your stick.

Foot Foul

Field players are not allowed to use their feet, or any other body part, to control the ball. If the ball hits a player’s foot, the umpire will either award the other team a free hit or let the game continue if the other team gains an advantage. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use her hands, feet, and body to stop or strike the ball.

Air Ball

The ball is allowed to be lifted in the air as long as the referee does not consider the play to be “dangerous.” The referee will make that call if the ball could potentially hit or injure another player. The general rule is that the ball should not be lifted above the knee within five meters of another player. An exception to this rule is when the ball is raised by using a scooping or long-pushing action of the stick, or when there are no players in the same proximity as the ball. The ball cannot be hit into the air unless it is a direct shot on goal.

Scoring

There are three different ways to score a goal in field hockey:

• Field goal
• Penalty corner
• Penalty stroke

Field Goal

A goal can only be scored if the shot is taken within the “shooting circle,” a semi-circular area in front of the opponent’s goal. The shooting circle is also known as the “dee” or “D” for the defensive team. The ball must be touched by a player on either team inside the circle for it to count as a goal.

Penalty Corner

A penalty corner is awarded when the defensive team breaks certain rules inside the D, or when a defender commits an intentional offense outside the circle but within the 25 yard (23 meters) area.

Play is stopped for a penalty corner to allow time for both teams to set up its respective attack and defense positions. Defense is allowed five defenders, including the goalie on the end line.

One attacker stands on the end line 11 yards (10 meters) away from the goal and pushes the ball out to the attackers on top of the shooting circle who are waiting to take a shot on goal. The rest of the defensive team must stay behind the center line until the ball is pushed out by the offensive player.

In order for a goal to count during a penalty corner, the ball must travel outside the shooting circle before an offender can take the shot. The receiver will then push the ball back into the circle for a shot to be taken. The shot has to be taken inside the marked circle for the goal to count.

Read more at: http://fieldhockey.isport.com/fieldhockey-guides/field-hockey-rules-regulations