India has won eight Olympic gold medals in men’s hockey, more than any other country, and both the men’s and women’s teams remain among the world’s best. The rules of the game are set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Here is a guide to the basic field hockey rules.
Teams and time
- Each team has up to 11 players on the field, including a goalkeeper.
- Teams can make unlimited rolling substitutions.
- A match has four quarters of 15 minutes each, with short breaks between quarters and a longer break at half time.
- The clock is stopped for goals and some other situations, such as penalty corners, as per FIH rules.
The stick and the ball
Players may only play the ball with the flat face and edges of the stick. Using the rounded back side is not allowed. Only the goalkeeper may use the body, within the rules, to stop the ball inside the circle.
Scoring a goal
A goal counts only if the ball is played by an attacker from inside the shooting circle, also called the D, and fully crosses the goal line between the posts. A shot from outside the circle does not count, even if it goes in.
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Penalty corner
A penalty corner is awarded mainly for a defensive foul inside the circle that is not deliberate, or a deliberate foul by a defender inside the 23 metre area. The ball is pushed from a mark on the back line, and attackers wait outside the circle. Defenders, usually five including the goalkeeper, stand behind the back line. Drag flicks from penalty corners are a major scoring weapon in modern hockey.
Penalty stroke
A penalty stroke is awarded when a foul by a defender prevents a likely goal, or for a deliberate foul inside the circle against an attacker in possession. A player takes a one on one shot from a spot 6.4 metres in front of the goal, against only the goalkeeper.
Free hits and the self pass
Fouls outside the circle lead to a free hit. Players can take a self pass and run with the ball, but opponents must stand at least five metres away. Special rules apply near the circle.
Cards
- Green card: temporary suspension of two minutes.
- Yellow card: temporary suspension, usually of at least five minutes.
- Red card: permanent suspension from the match.
The team plays with fewer players during a suspension.
Shootouts
In tournaments where a winner must be decided, a tied match goes to a shootout. A player starts from the 23 metre line and has eight seconds to score against the goalkeeper.
Bottom line
Hockey rules focus on skill and fair play. Remember that goals count only from inside the circle, and that penalty corners often decide big matches.
Source / स्रोत: International Hockey Federation: Rules of Hockey, Hockey India
