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Field of Play

The game of hockey was earlier played on a natural turf or a grass field but since 1976 it has been made mandatory for the game to be played on artificial turfs. The field of play is rectangular in shape and divided into two equal halves which are separated by the halfway line that runs from the midpoints of each touchline.

Regulation lengths are:

  • Playing area: The field of play is rectangular in shape with 91.40 metres (100 yards) in length and 55.00 metres (60 yards) in width
  • Side lines mark the longer perimeter of the field and back lines mark the shorter perimeter of the field. The goal-lines are the parts of the back lines between the goal posts. 
  • A centre line is marked across the middle of the field. Areas referred to as the circles are marked inside the field around the goals and opposite the centre of the back lines. All lines are 75 mm in width and are part of the field of the play.
  • Lines known as 23 metres lines are marked across the field 22.90 metres (25 yards) from each back line. 
  • Shooting arc: The semi-circle is of 14.63 metres (16 yards) from the goal which is known as the shooting circle (or D or shooting arc). The dotted line is 5 metres (5 yards) from the semi-circle.
  • Goal post: The goal post is 2.14 metres (2.34 yards) high and 3.66 metres (4 yards) in width and is positioned outside of the field of play at the centre of and touching each back-line. 
  • The penalty spot is 150 mm in diameter and are marked in front of the centre of each goal with the centre of each spot 6.40 metres (7 yards) from the inner edge of the goal line.

Equipment

Hockey sticks: 

  • The stick has a curved head, is rounded on one side and is flat on the left hand side. The ball can be only touched with the flat side of the stick. 
  • The usual stick weight is between 12 ounces to 28 ounces. 
  • The stick height is normally little over 90 cm and the allowed maximum depth of bow over the length of the stick is less than 25 mm. 

Ball: 

  • The hockey ball is a plastic spherical shaped material made of cork core usually white coloured. The circumference of the ball is usually 224 mm to 235 mm and it weighs around 156 grams to 163 grams. 
  • To reduce aquaplaning, the ball is covered with indentations to avoid inconsistent ball speed on wet grounds.

Shin guards & mouth guards: It is worn by the players during playing the game for protection against injuries.

Helmet and throat protector: It is used to protect the head and throat from getting injured while playing the game.

Goalie sticks and heads: This different kind of stick is used by the goalkeeper for hitting and striking the ball.

Face mask: This is fibre made equipment used that exposes only eyes and covers the rest of the face of the player.

Kicker: It is unique equipment used by the goalkeepers which protects their toes while kicking the ball or blocking the ball to prevent the goal.

Number of Players & Substitution

A maximum of 11 players from each side take part in play at any particular time during the duration of the match. The total number of members in a team is 16 of which 5 are substitute. Each team has either a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges on the field or plays only with the field players. 

Substitution of players can be done any number of times and at any point of time the team can give rest to a player and call for a substitute on his/her behalf. The main substitution rules are as follows:

  • During play, substitution must occur in the substitution area in front of the scorers’ table.
  • No substitutions are allowed prior to a penalty corner and substitutions can occur immediately after the hit
  • The exiting player must completely come off the field before the substituting player enters the field. In case the substitution is made during half time, a team time out or an injury time out, the player must report to the scorers’ table before entering the field.

Match Duration

The match is split into four equal quarters of 15 minutes each and the total duration of the match is 60 minutes. After first & third quarters, a two minute break is allowed while after the second quarter, a 10 minute half-time break is allowed.

Free Hits

  • Free hit is awarded if the players’ stick hits, hooks, holds or interferes with an opponents stick. All free hits are taken at the spot of the foul.
  • On free hits, the opposing team must be 7 yards away from the hit. Players on the team taking the free hit can be within 7 yards as long as the hit is not within 5 yards of the striking circle.

Long Hits

It is awarded to the attacking team when the defense unintentionally causes the ball to go over their end line. It is taken from the line hash mark which is 5 yards from the end line.

16-Yard Hit

It is awarded to the defense when the offense commits a foul in the striking circle or the ball goes over the end line.

Side-Ins

A side-in is awarded once the ball goes out of bounds over the sidelines and for fouls on the team taking the side-in, the opposing team is awarded a free hit.

Advantage Rule

An advantage is indicated by the referee by extending arms in the direction in which the free hit would be awarded if a foul is whistled.

Bully

  • A bully takes place to restart a game when time or play has been stopped for an injury or for any other reason and no penalty has been awarded.
  • A player from each team faces each other with the goal they are defending to their right.
  • The two players start with their sticks on the ground on either side of the ball and then tap the flat face of their sticks together once just over the ball after which either player is permitted to play the ball.

Penalty Corners

  • It is awarded to the offense when the defense commits a foul in the striking circle or the defense deliberately causes the ball to go over the end line. It can also be awarded when the defense commits a deliberate foul within the 25-yard line.
  • An offense player known as the inserter (usually the left wing) inserts the ball from a 10-yard mark from the goal post. The inserter must have one foot completely outside the field of play. He/She can flick, drive or push the ball to his teammates on the top of the circle but drag flicks are not permitted.
  • Offensive players at the top of the circle must have their sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the circle.
  • The defense is allowed a maximum of 5 players including the goalie and all of them must be positioned behind the backline and their sticks, hands and feet must not touch the ground inside the circle and must be within the 5-yard mark of the goal post.
  • The remaining opposing players must be behind the centre line until the ball is inserted and no player can enter the circle until the ball has been inserted.

Penalty Strokes

  • A penalty stroke is awarded when a goal probably would have been scored if a foul had not been committed by the defense or the defense continually/deliberately causes the ball to go over the end line.
  • All players, other than the strokes man and opposing goalie, must be behind the 25-yard line and the ball is placed on a 7-yard mark in front of the goal.
  • The strokes man may scoop flick or push the ball, raising it to any height. The strokes man must stand behind and within a stick’s reach of the ball before beginning the stroke.

Fouls

Foul is given by the umpire under any of the following conditions,

  • Shielding or obstructing the ball from an opponent with the body or stick. All players must have an equal chance to gain control of the ball as it is dribbled or passed down the field.
  • Playing the ball with the rounded side of the stick or playing the ball in a potentially dangerous way
  • Charge, hit, shove or trip an opponent
  • Using the foot or leg to support the stick in order to resist an opponent
  • Raising the stick in a dangerous or intimidating manner while approaching, attempting to play or stop the ball
  • Stopping or deflecting the ball in the air or on the ground with any part of the body

Cards

  • Green card: If a player is shown green card, the player needs to leave the field for 2 minutes.
  • Yellow card: If a player is shown yellow card, it means an official suspension and the duration if the suspension is decided by the umpire and the player must go to a pre-defined area of the pitch as chosen by the umpires.
  • Red card: If a player is shown red card, the player is permanently excluded from rest of the game, without substitution and it may also result in the player being banned for a certain period of time or number of matches.

Match Officials

Umpires: Two designated umpires control the match by applying right hockey playing rules and are responsible for fair play on the field. Each umpire has the primary responsibility for decisions in one of half of the field for the duration of the match and is the only one allowed to award a penalty corner, penalty stroke or goal in their half of the field.