Rules of Field Hockey

The game of indoor field hockey and outdoor field hockey are very different but also very similar.  

Some of the basic rules of indoor field hockey that you need to know are: 

- The ball should remain in contact with the floor at all times and should not be lifted while passing, dribbling or shooting.

- The side walls can be used and the ball remains in play unless a foul occurs, the ball travels over an end line or a goal is scored.

-In the case of any restart being awarded, all players must be at least 3 metres away from the ball carrier.

- Goals may only be scored from within the attacking ‘D’. 

- The ball should not be passed forcibly through defending players within 3 metres, instead the ball should be played around players directly lined up in front of the ball player and showing a flat stick.

- At no stage should a player play the ball while on their knees or having a knee in contact with the floor.

- Hockey players (other than the goalkeeper) are not allowed to use their feet, or any other parts of the body, to control the ball at any time.

-A goal can only be scored either from a field goal, a penalty corner, or from a penalty stroke. A field goal is a goal scored from open play, and can only be scored from inside the ‘striking circle’, in front of the opponent's goal. If the hockey ball is hit from outside the circle and goes into the goal, it does not count as a goal.

- Hockey players may not trip, push, charge, interfere with, or physically handle an opponent in any way. 

- Stick interference.The player should attempt to play the ball -- not hit, hook, hold, or interfere with an opponent’s stick.

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