13.1 – A free hit awarded to the defence within the defensive circle can be taken anywhere in their circle OR taken up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line. 9.12 – Very minor clarification of third party or shadow obstruction during a penalty corner on defenders (and goalkeeper). 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. Field Hockey Rules; Updates.

The FIH published the new Rules of Outdoor Hockey in December 2018: These took effect internationally from 1 January 2019, but National Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation at national level.As communicated on 18th December 2018, England Hockey chose not to implement the changes during the 2018-19 season. The introduction of a quick self-pass for these Free Hits allows the defenders to stay within the circle, within 5m and not interfere with play until the ball can legitimately enter the circle.

6 – wording change around the start and re-start of the match to reflect the change to quarters in the rule book. See above / below for further details. 13.3.g – Clarification on defending team’s responsibilities when defending a Penalty Corner when playing with no Goalkeeper. Rules of Hockey also apply to the top domestic League level of ... Rules as the option to play with a Field Player with Goalkeeping privileges is taken out. The 2019-20 print editions of the rule books, which came into effect on January 1, 2019, will be sent to all USA Field Hockey Umpire Members. 11.6 – wording added to this rule to show that Umpires blow the whistle for the start / end of each quarter and for the stopping / re-starting of time around a Penalty Corner. fih-rules-of-hockey-2019 (621.29kB) rules-of-indoorhockey-2017 (2669.71kB) Hockey - or "field hockey" as it is also known (to differentiate it from ice hockey) - is an 11-a-side game played on a pitch 100 yards by 60 yards (91.4 metres x 55 metres) with a ball that has a 23cm circumference. It was dropped in 1924, leading to the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Hockey sur Gazon (FIH) as an international governing body by seven continental European nations; and hockey was reinstated as an Olympic game in 1928. Field hockey was played at the Summer Olympics in 1908 and 1920. 13.5 – Removal of previous rule of when a Penalty Corner is finished if time has already lapsed and clarification that if play during a Penalty Corner is stopped because of an injury or for any other reason during the taking of a penalty corner at the end of a quarter or half and a bully would otherwise be awarded, the penalty corner must be taken again. Field Hockey Playing Rules Waivers due to COVID-19 for the 2020 Fall Season; Playing Rules Changes Related to Commemorative/Memorial Uniform Patches; 2020 Field Hockey Rules Modifications; 2019-20 Field Hockey Rules Clarifications; 2019-20 Major Rules Modifications; Uniforms/Contest Delays FAQ