Field Hockey Rules

Field hockey is an outdoor sporting event, wherein two teams with eleven players each, attempt to score by flicking, hitting or pushing the ball in opponents goal, using a curved wooden stick. Though the common name for the game is hockey, the term field hockey is used in several countries, wherein other variants of this sport, such as ice hockey exist. Though it is an immensely popular game, which is also included in Olympics sports events, not many people around the world are familiar with field hockey rules. Here is a beginners guide to these rules and positions which will make it easier for you to grasp this game.

Field Hockey Rules and Regulations

One of the most interesting milestone in the history of hockey was the formulation of the rules of this game in the last quarter of the 19th century. According to the rules of hockey constituted in 1870s, the dimensions of the hockey field were stipulated to be anywhere between 100 and 150 yards in length and 50 and 80 yards in width. Since then these rules have come a long way to assume the current shape.

Field Dimensions and Duration
According to the requirements formulated by the International Hockey Federation (IHF), the hockey field should be 100 yards in length x 60 yards in breadth. At each end of the field there is a goal post or box, which is 7 feet in height and 12 feet in width. Right in front of the goal, there is a semicircle with a radius of 16 yards, which is known as the 'D' or the 'shooting area'. The 'penalty spot' is marked at a distance of 7 yards from the center of the goal.

The entire field is divided into two halves by the 'center line', and each half is further divided into two halves, by the '25 yard line'. The grass pitches which were used initially have been replaced by synthetic surfaces, such as the sand-based pitches and the water-based artificial turfs, today Each hockey match is played for 70 minutes. There are two halves of 35 minutes each, with a break of 10 minutes between the two.

Teams and Positions
Each team consists of 11 players, who are on the field at a particular point of time, and 5 players, who are sitting on the bench along the sideline. There are no restrictions for substitution in field hockey, which means teams can opt for substitution of players on-field and off-field, virtually any number of times they want, except during the penalty corner. Excluding the goalkeeper, the other players form various strategic formations by marking some crucial positions. Player positions in field hockey are broadly categorized into three groups - fullbacks, mid-fielders and forwards.

Scoring
In order, to score a point, also referred to as a goal, the players should put the ball into the opponents goal, legally. There are three methods to score goal in field hockey. A field goal is the one wherein the attacker scores a goal during continuous play, from within the 'D' area. If the ball is hit from outside the D area, and it goes into the goal after deflecting onto one of the attacking players stick, it is considered to be a goal. However, if the ball hit from outside the D area gets deflected from the defending players stick, it is not considered to be a goal, as there are no self-goals in field hockey.

If the defending team commits a foul within the D area, (or a serious foul within the 25 yard line) the attacking team is awarded a penalty corner. During a penalty corner, the ball has to be pushed, along the ground, to a set of attackers waiting outside the D area. One of the attacker is expected to stop the ball outside the D area, and roll it into it, before another attacker takes a shot at the goal. Penalty stroke is awarded for committing a foul, which prevented a certain goal, within the D area. In a penalty stroke, an attacker takes a shot at the goal from the penalty spot.

Fouls and Penalties
The list of fouls and penalties in hockey is quite long. Some of the most common fouls include playing the ball from the wrong side of the hockey stick, ball coming in contact with the feet, lifting the ball above the ground, lifting the stick above the shoulders and attempting to tackle from behind etc. Most of these fouls result in penalties, wherein the opposition is allowed to have the control of the ball and to start the play or to attempt a shot at the goal.

The game is monitored by two umpires, one in each half, with the objective of ensuring fair play. Repeated fouls or some serious offense can earn the player either a green car, as a warning, or a yellow card, sending the player off the field. Interestingly enough, even the substitutes along the sideline can earn cards for misbehavior or challenging the umpires decision.

One of the most important, and equally interesting, rule of modern-day field hockey is the absence of off-side. This provides both the teams an opportunity to come up with some of the most deadly strategic formations, which make the game even more interesting.