Rules of the Game
It is important to know the rules of the game before you begin to play the sport! Here are some basic rules followed by what to do in certain game situations.
Positions-
Fouls are not permitted at any time throughout the game. DIfferent types of fouls include:
If a player commits one of these fouls, the referee can blow his/her whistle and make the fouler move 7 yards away from the other player, while they lose possession of the ball.
Ways to Score-
Free Hits-
Obstructions-
- The game begins by a coin toss between the captains of each team; the home side calling heads or tails. The team that wins the coin toss gets to choose between the possession of the ball at the beginning of the game, or which side of the field they would like to defend.
- 2 - 30 minute halves with 5 minute halftime
- 11 Players per side including the goalkeeper
- There are two sides of the stick- the right side is flat, the other is rounded.
- Ball is passed or dribbled down the field with the right, flat side of the stick.
- A goal is scored when an attacker gets the ball into the net from inside the strikers circle.
Positions-
- Defense, midfield and attack are what the field is composed of. A "Sweeper" is known as the last line of defense before the goalie.
Fouls are not permitted at any time throughout the game. DIfferent types of fouls include:
- Ball hitting/touching the players foot.
- Ball cannot be hit into the air, above the knee or 5 meters.
- Lift their stick above their shoulders.
- Pushing/Blocking/Shoving/Tripping another player.
- Catch the ball/use their hands.
- Use the left side/rounded side of the stick at any time in play.
If a player commits one of these fouls, the referee can blow his/her whistle and make the fouler move 7 yards away from the other player, while they lose possession of the ball.
Ways to Score-
- There are 3 different ways to score in field hockey; field goal, penalty corner, or penalty stroke.
- A field goal is scored when an attacker puts the ball in the net from inside the circle. Anyone from either team must touch the ball inside the "circle" before it goes in the net in order for it to count.
- A penalty corner is scored when there is a foul inside the circle. The attacking team sets up their plays they have made, standing 10 meters away from the goal, while the defense runs back to the 50 yard line, and a few defenders stay back and go in the net (see pictures above). The ball must go outside the shooting circle, touch a players' stick, the receiver will push the ball back into the circle, and push it back into the goal, all inside the circle for the goal to count.
- A penalty stroke happens when a defender commits a foul that prevents the goal from being scored. When this happens, a player from the attacking team chooses a play to take a stroke, the only defender being the goalie. The chosen player stands at the "stroke mark" which is located 7 yards away from the goal line. The player must push, stroke, hit or flick and try to get it into the net, however they cannot take any steps. If the ball goes in, it is a goal.
Free Hits-
- Free hits are permitted when one of the following occur during play- The ball is placed on the ground where the foul was played and all the players must move seven yards away, and the opposing team player who was closest to the ball gets possession:
- There is an obstruction from an opponent from the ball being played
- A player kicks the ball
- Ball is in dangerous play (lifting the ball above ground)
Obstructions-
- An obstruction is called when the ball is defended from the opponent who is also trying to get contact with the ball.
- When a player blocks their opponents path when they are dribbling with the ball.