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Field Hockey, The Rules

Rule Comparisons

Rule comparisons between International (FIH), U.S. collegiate (NCAA) and U.S. High School field hockey

 

TOPIC

FIH International

NCAA Collegiate

Federation -HS

Fiberglass Stick

Permitted

Permitted

Permitted

2 Piece Stick(Aluminum)

Not Permitted

Not Permitted

Permitted

Composite Stick

Permitted

Permitted

Permitted

Mouth guards

Strongly recommended

Required on field players Strongly recommended for GK (16.a)

Required - except for goalkeeper, must cover molars

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 from both teams. Protective headgear required.

Shirt color must be different from both teams. Protective headgear and throat protector required.

Shirt color must be different from both teams. Full mask helmet, leg pads, chest and throat protectors and gloves or hand protectors required.

GK Gloves

Hand protectors may be worn

Hand protectors may be worn

Gloves or hand protectors must be worn

Number of Players

Not specified.GK or kicking back required

Not specified. GK or kicking back required

Minimum 7 players; GK required

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 circle or defense touches it. Ball must be controlled.

Ball on Penalty Corner

Must be stopped outside circle before shot

Must be stopped outside circle before shot

Must be controlled before shot, either inside or outside the circle.

Deliberate 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

Kicking Back

Must wear protective head gear and shirt color must be different than both teams

Must wear helmet, throat protector and shirt color different from both teams

Not permitted

Kicking Back during PC & PS

May add other protective equipment

Must wear chest protector in addition to other requirements. May add other protective equipment

Not permitted

Half time

5-10 minutes as agreed

7 minutes

No more than 10 minutes

Play duration

35 minute half

35 minute half

30 minute half

Yellow Card

Time out: minimum 5 minute suspension, no subs

Time out: minimum 5 minutes suspension, no subs

Time out: warning recorded, player leaves game for 5 minutes. No sub allowed

Red Card

Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a GK or designee

Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a GK or designee

Time out: player disqualified. No sub. Team must have a goalkeeper.

5 Yards on Free Hits

For attacking team, free hits within 5 yds of the circle, both teams must be at least 5 yds away

For attacking team, free hits within 5 yds of the circle, both teams must be at least 5 yds away

For all free hits between the 25yd line and the end line, both teams must be at least 5 yds away

16 yard hit

Only opponent must be 5 yards away

Only opponent must be 5 yards away

All players of both teams shall be at least 5 yds away

Side In

Opponent must be at least 5yds away

Opponent must be at least 5yds away

Opponent must be at least 5yds away unless the side-in is between the 25 and the endline when both teams must be 5 yds away

Clock stops after goals

Never stopped

Entire game

Entire game- Unless changed by state association

Center Pass

Players may not cross the center line until the ball is played

Players may not cross the center line until the ball is played

Players may cross the center line as soon as the official blows the whistle

18" Boards

Required. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line

Required. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line

Boards required in 2001. During PC, if the first shot is a hit, the ball must be below 18" as it crosses the goal line.

Substitution

Rolling sub allowed any time except penalty corners. Time out for GK subs.

Rolling sub allowed any time except penalty corners. Time out for GK subs.

Rolling sub allowed (Not prior to PC). No timeout for GK

Team time outs

Not permitted

One 2-minute time-out per team per game. May be used during 7 a side.

Two 90 second timeouts per team per game. Penalty for requesting more than 2.

Review of official's decision

Not permitted

Not permitted

Misapplication of rule only; See Rule 4-3

Coaching during injury

Controlled by tech table

Not permitted

Not permitted