The Game of Field Hockey

7 PROCEDURES FOR PENALTIES

7.1 Free hit:

a. more than 5 yards from the circle: close to where the offence occurred

"Close to" allows the free hit to be taken within playing distance of where the offence occurred. It is intended that no undue advantage be gained but the flow of the game maintained.

b. outside the circle: to the defence: in the 16 yards area: up to 16 yards from the back- line in line with the offence, parallel to the side-line

c. inside the circle: to the defence: anywhere within the circle or, outside it, up to 16 yards from the back-line in line with the offence, parallel to the side-line

d. within 5 yards of the circle: to the attack: all players of both teams to be at least 5 yards from the ball

e. the ball must be stationary

f. the striker shall push or hit the ball; it must move at least a yard

g. the ball shall not be raised intentionally or in such a way as to be dangerous or likely to lead to dangerous play

h. after playing the ball, the striker may not play the ball again or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another player

i. no player of the opposing team shall be within 5 yards of the ball.

If a player is standing within 5 yards of the ball in order to gain an advantage, the free hit need not be delayed.

7.2 Penalty corner:

a. an attacker shall push or hit the ball, without intentionally lifting it, from a spot on the back-line in the circle 10 yards from the goal-post on whichever side the attacking team prefers

b. the player taking the hit must have at least one foot outside the field

c. no other player shall be within 5 yards of the ball

d. the remaining attackers shall be on the field with sticks, hands and feet outside the circle

e. not more than five defenders including the goalkeeper shall be behind the back-line with their sticks, hands and feet behind that line

f. the remaining defenders shall be beyond the centre-line

g. until the ball has been played, no attacker other than the one taking the hit may enter the circle, nor may a defender cross the centre-line or back-line

h. the attacker taking the hit may not play the ball again nor remain or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another player

i. no shot at goal shall be made until the ball be stopped or come to rest on the ground outside the circle

j. the ball may be passed or deflected by the attackers outside the circle but if it remains within 5 yards of the circle must be stopped or come to rest on the ground outside the circle before a shot at goal is made

k. if the first shot at goal is a hit, the ball must cross the goal-line at a height of not more than 18 inches (the height of the backboard) for a goal to be scored, unless it touches the stick or body of a defender during its travel towards goal

l. for flicks and scoops, and second and subsequent hits at goal, the ball may be raised to any height subject to there being no danger

m. the attacker putting the ball into play may not score directly even if the ball is played into goal by a defender

n. if the ball travels more than 5 yards from the circle, the penalty corner rules no longer apply

7.2.1 The penalty corner may be given again when:

a. defenders stand with feet, hands and/or sticks touching the ground inside the circle

b. defenders are within 5 yards of the ball before it is played

c. defenders cross the back-line or centre-line before the ball is played.

15.3 Penalty stroke

7.3.1 Taking:

a. time shall be stopped when an penalty stroke is signalled and re-started when the whistle is blown for resumption of play

b. the player taking the stroke shall stand close to and behind the ball prior to commencing the stroke

c. all players, other than the defending goalkeeper, shall stand beyond the nearer 25 yards line, on the field, and shall not influence the situation

d. the defending goalkeeper shall continue to wear protective headgear

e. the defending goalkeeper shall stand with both feet on the goal-line and shall not leave the goal-line or move either foot until the ball has been played

f. the player may not take the stroke until the controlling umpire confirms that both the stroke taker and the goalkeeper are ready and has blown the whistle

g. the ball may be pushed, flicked or scooped from the penalty spot

h. the ball may be raised to any height

i. the player may touch the ball only once and subsequently shall not approach either the ball or the goalkeeper

j. in the process of taking the stroke, the player may take one step forward but the rear foot may not pass the front one until the ball has been played

k. the player may not feint at playing the ball

l. the defending goalkeeper shall not remove unnecessarily any protective equipment in order solely to gain time

m. a penalty goal may be awarded by the umpire without the ball crossing the goal-line when a goalkeeper breaches the Rules to prevent a goal being scored.

7.3.2 Ending:

a. a goal is scored or awarded

b. the ball comes to rest inside the circle, lodges in the goalkeeper's pad, is caught by the goalkeeper, passes outside the circle or the stroke-taker breaches the Rule and a goal is not scored or awarded.

7.3.3 Re-starting the game after a penalty stroke:

a. if a goal was scored or awarded: by a pass- back from the centre of the field

b. if a goal was not scored or awarded: a push or hit by a defender 16 yards in front of the centre of the goal-line.

7.3.4 Penalties:

a. free hit: for an offence by the stroke taker, taken 16 yards in front of the centre of the goal-line

b. goal awarded: for a breach of the Rules by the goalkeeper that prevents a goal being scored

c. penalty stroke: may be taken again for an offence by any player of either team.

7.4 Personal penalties:

a. for rough or dangerous play, misconduct, or any intentional offence, in addition to awarding the appropriate penalty the umpire may:

- caution the player

- warn the offending player: green card

- temporarily suspend the offending player for a minimum of 5 minutes: yellow card

- permanently suspend the offending player: red card

b. temporarily suspended players shall remain in a designated place until permitted by the umpire who suspended them to resume play

c. temporarily suspended players may rejoin their team at half-time, then return to the designated place to complete their suspension

d. permanently suspended players shall not remain within the playing facility or its surrounds.