The Rules of Hockey as published in booklet form and on the FIH website (see link FIH Rules of Hockey) apply to all hockey played throughout the world. This ensures that the game is played in a consistent way. If your looking for an introduction to the basics of hockey then go to the link Hockey Explained.
New Rule Changes – September 2022
The main changes to the previous rules are as follows:
Rule 4.2 now allows defending players in a penalty corner to continue wearing protective equipment and play the ball outside the circle after an interception during the taking of a penalty corner. They must however remove that equipment immediately after, at the first opportunity, inside the 23m area. No player using PC protective equipment can play the ball outside the 23 m area at any time. The amendment came to protect athlete safety and ensure players can focus on the play rather than the removal of protective equipment during a pressurised defensive situation.
Rule 9.10 now allows players to safely intercept a falling ball which will be a positive step forward for the game. Aerial Balls will continue to be closely monitored by all stakeholders so that player safety can be maintained.
A full set of the FIH Rules that apply to English competition this season is available on the Hockey Hub.
Old Rule Changes – September 2019
England Hockey has just announced how the new FIH Rules of Hockey will be adopted for adult outdoor domestic matches.
The full England Hockey Document can be found here: Changes to Rules of Outdoor Hockey Press Release
The Club will arrange a pre-season meeting for all umpires to brief and discuss the implementation of these new rules as well as any other umpiring matters. The new rules will also be briefed at the pre-season captains and coaches meeting.
Match Timings. England hockey has decided that matches below Tier 1 of the regional leagues will continue as 2 halves of 35 minutes with a 5 minute interval. Matches in Tier 1 of the regional leagues, and the national leagues, will consist of 4 quarters of 17.5 minutes with a 2 minute interval at quarter and three-quarter time, and a 5 minute interval at half-time. The clock will not be stopped for penalty corners.
In summary they other key changes to the rules are:
1. No players with goal keeper privileges (“kicking back”): Either 11 field players or 10 field players and a goalkeeper.
2. A free hit awarded to the defence within the defensive circle can be taken anywhere in their circle (this is effectively the resurrection of an old rule!) OR taken up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line.
3. After awarding a free hit to the attacking team within 5 metres of the circle, if a quick self-pass is taken the defenders are allowed to stay within the circle, within 5m and not interfere with play until the ball can legitimately enter the circle. Otherwise, if there is no quick self-pass, then ALL defenders, regardless of location in the 23m, have to retreat 5m if they wish to legitimately play the ball once the free hit is taken (all attackers will also need to be 5 metres away as well!).
4. If an attacker enters the circle at a Penalty Corner before permitted, the player taking the push or hit from the backline is required to go beyond the centre-line and the Penalty Corner is taken again
Also there is clarification that third party or shadow obstruction also applies if an attacker runs across or blocks defenders (including the goalkeeper) when a penalty corner is being taken.
Old Rule Changes – September 2016
There are no new rules for the start of the 2016/17 season, however, there has been a change (and, therefore, clarification) to the awarding of red cards. The regulations are such that from the start of the 2016/17 season a red card should be awarded instead of a second yellow for the same offence, by the same player, during a match. However, under these circumstances the red card is just for the rest of the match (i.e. player cannot take part in the remainder of the match and must leave the pitch) and does not result in an automatic 16 day ban. A “straight red” must still be awarded for serious, intentional misbehaviour towards another player or the umpire(s) (verbal/physical abuse) and this will still result in an automatic 16 day ban. For more information go to Updated Red Card Regulations – England Hockey.
Old Rule Changes – February 2016
A detailed explanation of the rules change and their interpretation can be found HERE (will open in a new window/tab); in essence they are:
To avoid unfair and potentially dangerous play for all attacking free hits within the 23m area the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced changes to the Rules of Hockey, specifically rule 13.2 which relates to the taking of an attacking free hit within 5 metres of the attacking circle.
The changed rules are as follows:
- 13.2c: when a free hit is awarded to the attack within the 23 metres area, all players other than the player taking the free hit must be at least 5 metres from the ball, except as specifically indicated below for attacking free hits awarded within 5 metres of the circle.
- 13.2f: from a free hit awarded to the attack within the 23 metres area, the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres or has been touched by a player of the defending team.
Umpires should note that:
- The management of the set piece has not changed essentially. All players must still be at least 5m away from the free hit, except for the player taking it. Defenders who were within 5m of the place where the foul occurred may still stay within 5m, provided that they are within the circle and do not interfere with play before the ball has travelled 5m, or the stick of a player, other than the hit taker, has legitimately touched the ball.
- However, please note that if there has been a stoppage in time between the awarding of the free hit and the re-start in play, then all players, including defenders in the circle, must be at least 5m away.
- Also, the practice of a player taking a free hit by touching the ball for a team mate who was 5m away to run onto and then drive into the circle is now a foul. If this occurs, a free hit to the defence should be awarded.”
Old Rule Changes – September 2015
A detailed explanation of the new rules and their interpretation can be found HERE (will open in a new window/tab); in essence they are:
- Players breaking early at penalty corners may be sent to the halfway line (and removal of the option to award a penalty flick for repeat offences).
- Two minute suspension on award of a green card (and green card effectively replaced by verbal warning).
- Players allowed to play the ball above the shoulder provided it is not dangerous.
- Attacking free hits award within 5 metres of the edge of the circle may be taken from the point of offence, BUT all other rules stay the same (all players 5 metre or more from the free hit, ball cannot be played directly into the circle, ball must travel 5 metres before being played into the circle etc).
- Re-start after ball played unintentionally over back-line will be on the 23 metre line in-line with the point at which the ball crossed the back-line BUT all other rules stay the same (all players 5 metre or more from the free hit, ball cannot be played directly into the circle, ball must travel 5 metres before being played into the circle etc).
- Deletion of the ability to progress a free hit 10 metres up the pitch for misconduct.
- Introduction of a maximum stick length.
- Lifting of ban on certain types of face mask, in particular those with metal grills.