The Game of Field Hockey

2 TO START AND RE-START THE GAME

2.1 Pass back:

a. played from the centre of the field

b.CAN be hit forward now, no player can cross center line until ball is put into play. (No longer required to "pass back")

c. made at the start of the game, by a player of the team which did not choose ends

d. after half-time, by a player of the team which did not start the game

e. after a goal, by a player of the team against which the goal was scored or awarded.

2.2 Pass back and putting the ball back into play:

a. all opponents at least 5 yards from the ball

b. the ball to be pushed or hit

c. the ball must move at least 1 yard

d. after playing the ball, the player may not do so again nor remain or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another player

e. the ball shall not be raised intentionally or such as to be dangerous or lead to dangerous play.

2.3 Ball outside the field:

When the ball passes completely over the side- line or back-line it shall be out of play and it or another ball shall be used to re-start play.

2.3.1 Over the side-line:

a. on the side-line where the ball went out of play

b. the player playing the ball is not required to be wholly inside or outside the side-line.

c. taken by a player of the opposing team

2.3.2 Over the back-line:

by the attack when no goal is scored:

a. up to 16 yards from and opposite where it crossed the back-line, in line parallel to the side-line

b. taken by a defender.

2.3.3 Over the back-line:

unintentionally by the defence when no goal is scored:

a. on the back-line up to 5 yards from the corner flag nearest to where the ball crossed the back-line

b. taken by an attacker.

2.3.4 Over the back-line:

intentionally by the defence from within their half when no goal is scored:

a. on the back-line from a spot 10 yards from the nearer goal post

b. taken by an attacker.

That is, a penalty corner.

2.4 Bully:

2.4.1 The game shall be re-started with a bully when:

a. the ball in play has to be replaced

b. there is a simultaneous breach of the Rules by both teams

c. the ball is lodged in a goalkeeper's pad or player's or umpire's clothing

d. when time has been stopped for an injury or any other reason and there has been no offence.

2.4.2 The bully:

a. on a spot chosen by the umpire but not within 16 yards of the back-line

b. a player of each team shall face one another with their own back-line to their right

c. ball shall be on the ground between the two players

d. the two players tap with their stick the ground to the right of the ball then the flat face of the opponent's stick over the ball, three times alternately, after which either player may play the ball to put it into play

e. all other players at least five yards away until the ball is in play.