Hockey - The Basic Rules

Game Duration:

• Consists of two 35 minute halves with a 5-10 minute break between.  

The Field:

• 100 yards by 60 yards with a 16 yard “shooting circle” around each goal
• There are two umpires on the field each responsible for about half the pitch

Scoring a Goal:

• Ball must struck or deflected by an attacker inside the circle.  
• The whole ball must pass over the goal line between the posts and under the cross-bar

A player may not:

• play the ball with round side of stick
• with the exception of the goaltender, play or stop the ball intentionally with the feet or any other part of the body
• play the ball with stick above shoulder height except when saving a shot on goal
• play the ball into an opponent in a dangerous manner
• use their stick to hit, hook or interfere with another player
• deliberately shoot the ball off the end-line in their defending zone
• obstruct another player’s attempt to play the ball with their body or their stick (although this rule is changing rapidly and is nearly gone)

Penalties:

The penalty imposed depends on the position on the field where the foul occurred, the location of the opposing team and the intention of the player involved.  If there is no particular advantage gained by the offending player or the foul was not deliberate then no penalty should be applied.  

• when foul occurs between the 25 yard lines…free hit to the opposing team
• when the foul is by the defending team with their 25 yard area:
  • if foul is accidental - free hit to attackers
  • if foul is deliberate - penalty corner to attackers
• when foul is by attacking team within the opposition 25 yard area - free hit defenders
• when the foul occurs within the circle:
  • if foul is accidental - penalty corner to attackers
  • if foul is deliberate or prevents a goal being scored - penalty stroke to attackers

Dangerous Play:

Dangerous play can result if the ball is raised, if the stick is swung wildly or a player plays when on the ground.  If in the opinion of the umpire dangerous play has occurred or is likely to occur a foul will be declared against the offending team.  In addition, disciplinary action can also be taken (see below).  

Obstruction:

The rule is that the player with the ball cannot use his stick or body to shield the ball from a defender.  However the foul will only be called if the defender is in a position to tackle and has the intention to do so.  The attacker can thus receive the ball with his/her back to a defender provided that they then move away from the defender and not into them.  

Disciplinary Actions:

In addition to the above penalties the umpire can “card” a player.  This can result in a minimum 5minute suspension from the game to a total expulsion.  These are given in the case of deliberate fouls or continued fouling after a warning etc.  They are quite rare in junior hockey below the U18 level.  

Re-starts:

• Centre pass - starts the game or half and is used after a goal.  Can go in any direction
• Free hit - a hit or push along the ground after a foul.  
• Long corner - awarded to attacking team if defenders unintentionally send ball over end-line.  A
  hit or push taken from a point 5 yards up from the end-line along the side line nearest to
  where the ball went out
• 16 yard hit - awarded to the defending team when the attackers put ball over the end-line

Free Hits:

When taken a free hit must travel a least one yard.  If it does not, then a foul will be called against the team taking the hit unless they back away and allow the opposing team to play the ball.  The player taking the hit cannot play the ball a second time.  

All players of the team NOT taking the free hit must be at least 5 yards away from the ball when the hit is taken.  When the free hit is awarded to the attacking team and the foul occurs within 5 yards of the circle then BOTH teams must be 5 yards away from the ball when the hit is taken.  If the free hit is for the defending team within 5 yards of the circle then only the attacking team must retreat 5 yards.  

Penalty (or short) Corners:

This is a set piece in hockey which bears the same relationship to the game as an indirect free kick does in soccer.  It is awarded for a deliberate foul by the defenders within their 25 yard zone or for an unintentional foul in the circle.  

Four defenders and the goalkeeper arrange themselves in goal.  The remaining defenders retreat to the half way line.  The attacking team arranges their players around the perimeter of the circle.  The ball is placed on the end-line ten yards away from the goal.  One attacking player (the pusher) puts the ball into play by passing across the circle to their teammates at the circle’s edge.  These players then attempt to score.  The defenders are free to run off the end-line and midfield stripe when the attackers put the ball back into play.  

There are a number of rules on how the corner must proceed:

• pusher:
  • must have at least one foot off the field
  • cannot score directly from push in
• other attackers:
  • must line up with feet and sticks outside the circle
  • may hit, flick or scoop the ball
  • if a hit, the ball must remain below 18 inches off the ground
  • cannot flick, scoop in a dangerous manner
  • may not swing stick wildly to intimidate defenders
• defenders:
  • must remain behind goal line until ball is pushed back into play
  • must line up no closer that 5 yards to the pusher with feet and sticks behind the line

Any violation of the above by the attackers results in a free hit to defenders.  If the defenders foul, the corner is retaken or if done persistently a penalty stroke can be awarded.  

Penalty Stroke:

This set piece is the equivalent of a penalty shot in soccer.  It is awarded when a deliberate foul occurs within the circle or when an unintentional foul prevents a goal being scored.  One attacker sets up seven yards out from the centre of the goal.  The goalkeeper lines up usually in the middle of the goal with both heels on the line.  All other attackers and defenders are outside the 25 yard line.  

The stroke must proceed as follows:

• striker:
  • cannot change the stick
  • must have both feet behind the ball and then only take one step towards the ball
  • cannot body feint to draw the goalkeeper
  • cannot unduly delay the taking of the stroke once the whistle has sounded
• goalie:
  • can change or modify gear provided does not take too long
  • must wear headgear
  • must remain with both feet over the goal-line
  • cannot move foot until the stroke has been taken
  • cannot foul in saving the shot

The stroke ends the moment the forward momentum of the ball towards the goal is lost.  

If the striker fouls during the stroke a free hit is awarded to the defenders.  If the goalkeeper fouls then the stroke is re-taken or a penalty goal is awarded.