The Basics of Field Hockey

2015 Field Hockey Rule Book (PDF download)

2017 Field Hockey Rule Book (PDF download)

The Basics

Using sticks that are flat on one side and curved on the other, two teams hit and dribble a solid plastic ball down the field and try to shoot it past a goalkeeper into a goal cage. Goals can only be scored when a shot is taken from within the striking circle (also referred to as the "D"); a semicircle extending 15 metres from the goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Interesting Facts

1. Field hockey is played by more than 3 million people around the world, on all 5 continents, as both a leisure sport and at the highest competitive levels.
2. Field hockey is one of 27 Olympic summer sports.
3. Field hockey is a Commonwealth and Pan American Games sport. 

The Game

• Two halves, usually 35 minutes each with a short halftime break
• Maximum of 11 players per side, including the goalkeeper
• Two umpires on the field officiate the match.
• 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.

The Field

MOVING THE BALL

Drive - The most frequently used stroke in the game. Players drive on passes, “free hits,” and shots on goal. On a drive, a player takes a hard stroke at the ball using a good backswing motion with both hands together at the top of the hockey stick.

Flick - A player snaps her wrists to lift the ball in the air for quick passes or shots. The ball must not lift more than eighteen inches above the ground.

Scoop - The “blade”of the stick is used to scoop the ball up and over the front of an opponent’s stick. Players scoop the ball when “dodging” a “tackle,” and when taking a free hit out of the striking circle.

Push Pass - Using a quick wrist stroke with no backswing, the ball is pushed and directed along the ground. It is considered the most accurate pass in the game.

FOUL PLAY

A player may only strike the ball with the flat (blade) side of the stick, and may not raise the stick above the shoulders when playing the ball. “Stick interference,” “backsticks,” “undercutting,” and touching the ball with the feet are all rule violations. Furthermore, players may not trip, push, charge, interfere with, or physically handle an opponent in any way. Fouls may result in a free hit, penalty corner, or penalty stroke for the non-offending team.

Obstruction - Called against a player who cuts between an opponent and the ball or uses her stick, shoulder, or body as an obstruction to the ball.

Third-party Obstruction - Occurs when a player positions herself between the ball and an opponent allowing a teammate an unobstructed play on the ball.

Stick Interference - Called against a player who intentionally or unintentionally uses her stick to hit an opponent’s stick.

High Stick -A foul called against a player who raises her stick unsafely to a nearby player, or plays the ball while carrying her stick above shoulder level.

Free Hit - A free play awarded on any infraction that occurs outside the scoring circle. It usually takes place at the location of the violation. All opposing players must stand at least five yards from where the hit is taken. A free hit is most often taken as a drive, a push pass, a scoop, or a flick.

Penalty Corner - A hit on the ball awarded to the team on offense when the defense either commits a foul inside the striking circle or intentionally hits the ball out-of-bounds over the end line. A penalty corner is taken by an attack player along the end line at a spot ten yards away from the nearest goal post. All other attack players must stand with both their sticks and feet outside of the striking circle. Five defenders, including the goalie, stand behind the end line until contact is made with the ball. All remaining offensive and defensive players then rush into the circle to either help defend or shoot the ball at the goal.

Penalty Stroke - Awarded to the team on offense when an official believes that a defensive infraction within the striking circle has prevented what would have been a goal. The ball is spotted seven yards from the goal with a striking player going one-on-one with the goalie. The shooting player may take one step and has five seconds to shoot. The goalie may not move off the goal line until the player has touched the ball with her stick.