This comparison of rules is meant
to be a quick reminder for parents with children participating at
different levels. This overview of the rule differences is not meant to
replace any rulebook. Please note: If a topic is not listed, it means
that all levels are the same.
| TOPIC | FIH-INTERNAT'L | NCAA-COLLEGE | NFHS-HS |
| Jewelry | Subject to danger | Subject to danger | Not permitted |
| Under-garments | Not Specified | Must be the same as teammates | Must be solid color; which is predominant color of uniform bottom/top. |
| Shin Guards | Strongly Recommended | Required-Like-colored socks and/or shin guards | Like colored socks and/or shin guards required -must be solid color |
| GK attire | Shirt color must be different than both teams. Protective headgear required. | Shirt color must be different than both teams. Protective headgear, throat and chest protectors required. | Shirt color different than both teams, full mask-helmet, leg pads, chest and wrap around throat protectors. Mouth guard required. |
| GK Gloves | Hand protectors may be worn. | Hand protectors may be worn. | Gloves or hand protectors must be worn. |
| 5 Meter Mark | Broken line 5 meters from circle's outer edge. | Broken line 5 meters from circle's outer edge. | Broken line 5 yards from circle's outer edge |
| Penalty Corner | Push, hit; for purposes of stopped ball, PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside circle. Must be stopped outside the circle | Push, hit; for purposes of stopped ball, PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside circle. Must be stopped outside the circle | Push, hit, flick; PC is off when ball travels 5 yds outside the circle or defense touches it. Ball must be controlled. |
| Ball on Penalty Corner | Must be stopped outside circle before shot. Must be placed on the end line 10 or more yards from the goal post, but inside the circle. | Must be stopped outside circle before shot. Must be placed on the end line 10 or more yards from the goal post, but inside the circle. Both teams 5 yards. | Must be controlled before shot, either inside or outside the circle. Must be placed on the end line, 10 yds. from the goal post. |
| Deliberately raised ball | No deliberately raised hits. No intentionally raised balls over long distance into circle. | No deliberately raised hits. No intentionally raised balls over long distance into circle | Based on danger; not permitted for free hits |
| Defender deliberately putting the ball over the back line | Penalty Corner | Penalty Corner | Penalty Corner, if persistent Penalty Stroke |
| Kicking Back | Must wear protective head gear and shirt color must be different than both teams. | Must wear helmet, throat protector & shirt color different than both teams | Not permitted |
| Kicking Back duringPC & PS | May add other protective equipment. | Must wear chest protector in addition to other requirements. May add other protective equipment. | Not permitted |
| Coin Toss to Start Game | Choose possession or direction 1st half only | Choose possession or direction 1st half only | Choose possession 1st or 2nd half or direction |
| Half time | 5-10 Minutes as agreed | 10 minutes | No more than 10 minutes |
| Play duration | 35 minute half | 35 minute half | 30 minute half |
| Restart of play after injury and no foul | Bully | Bully | Free hit to the team in possession |
| Yellow card | T.O.;minimum 5 minutes suspension- no subs | T.O.;Minimum 5 minutes suspension-no subs | T.O warning recorded, player leaves game for 5 minutes. No sub allowed |
| Red Card | T.O. disqualified-no sub; must have GK or designee | T.O. disqualified-no sub; must have GK or designee | T.O. disqualified-no sub, must have GK. |
| Stop clock after goals | Never Stopped | Entire Game | Entire game-unless changed by State Association. |
| Center Pass | Players may not cross center line until ball is played | Players may not cross center line until the ball is played | Players may cross the centerline as soon as the official blows the whistle |
| Substitution | Rolling sub allowed anytime-except penalty corners. T.O. for GK | Rolling sub allowed anytime-except penalty corners. T.O. For GK | Rolling subs allowed (Not prior to PC) No T.O. for GK |
| Team time outs | Not permitted | One 2 minute team time-out per team per game; may be used during 7 a side | Two 90 second T.O. per team per game. Penalty for requesting more than 2. |
| Coaching during injury | Controlled by tech table. | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Review of official's decision | Not permitted | Not permitted | Misapplication of rule only; see Rule 4-3 |
