Rules of Hockey: Think you know? - Misconceptions of the rules of hockey

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An interesting look on the rules of hockey (or field hockey if you're visiting form North America), the misconceptions and fabrications of the rules.

Umpires, as we all know, are a crucial part of any hockey match. We probably don't appreciate umpires like we should. After all, they are the ones who are making the biggest commitment of all of us on match day. Many of us wouldn't dare pick up a whistle to officiate a match; it just doesn't bare thinking about for some.

But the fact is, like everyone else, umpires do get it wrong sometimes, and we're not just talking about decision making. Quite often an umpire will completely misinterpret a rule, or blurt out an outlandish reason or invented rule as to why you're not allowed to do something that is completely legitimate. This is probably because they have either never revised new rules, or they have never even read through a rule book and have therefore built up their knowledge of the rules on common misconceptions and utter fabrications.

Like me, I'm sure a lot of you get very frustrated with umpires, and quite often we lose control of ourselves, shouting a barrage of insults towards them. It would do better for all if we just held our tongues and discussed our discrepancies with the umpires at the end of the match.

So for all those who would like closure on those niggling bits of the rule book, those misconceptions and fabrications, then read on in this “general ignorance round” for hockey rules.

Don't forget to visit here from time to time as I will add more interesting rules as I think of them. And of course, rules books are available to download from the FIH's website – www.worldhockey.org

All measurements and distances in the rules of hockey have been in metric since 1998, so that rules out 16 yards. So why not 14.63 metres? For people who do use the metric distances when they umpire – like they should I might add, it is not a matter of preference – this is the number they can all remember; it is the radius of the circle from the inner edge of each goal post and the distance from the back-line of the ticks marked on the side-lines level with each circle. The reason we have this odd number is because the HRB (Hockey Rules Board) decided not to alter the size of the circle when they switched over to the metric system, so it was a straight conversion. Now, although the markings on the pitch have not been changed, the HRB did however, make the change to the hit-out rule:

7.4	When the ball is played over the back-line and no goal is scored:
	a	if played by an attacker, play is re-started with the ball up to 15 metres from and in line with where it crossed the back-line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply

2. I am fouled by an attacker inside the circle that I am defending. From where can I take my free hit?

You're probably saying: “up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-lines”, or something along those lines.

Well, that part is correct but you've missed out my other option. Because the offence took place inside the circle, I am entitled to take my free hit from anywhere inside the circle (rule 13.1c). On a number of occasions the offence has taken place on one side of the circle and the ball has gone whizzing off the other side. After retrieving the ball I find the nearest bit of circle to put the ball in to take my free hit quickly, often to a team mate in ample space, only to have the umpire blow the whistle to instruct me to take the hit in line with the offence. How frustrating.

It is also worth mentioning that you do not use the hit-out signal (both arms outstretched horizontally) to signal a free hit in the 15 metres area for the above reason, they have different rules in connection with them. Only use the hit-out signal if it is because the ball has gone off the back-line off an attacker's stick during open play. For a foul the normal free hit signal is correct.

3. From what position are you not allowed to tackle a player? — updated 09/02/2009

Tackling from behind is totally legitimate, also there is no such thing as “the wrong side.”

The ruling is: “Players must not tackle unless in a position to play the ball without body contact” (rule 9.13).
It's only those tackles where there is no chance of getting the ball that are not allowed – and should be penalised strictly – otherwise if you can get the ball without the body contact then there is no reason for the tackle to be penalised.

While there is nothing in the rules of hockey to say that tackles can or cannot be made from particular positions in relation to the player with the ball, I have, after a bit of investigation, found a “tackling from the wrong side” rule in another code of hockey called “Rossall Hockey” or “RossHockey” [source]. This form of hockey is unique to Rossall School in Fleetwood, Lancashire. It is played on a nearby beach and the game was actually born of rugby football, but is played with hockey-like sticks.

“A player must attempt to tackle the player with the ball by approaching them from the opposite direction to which they are running. Tackling from the side is not permitted.”

Maybe there did used to be a “tackling from the wrong side” rule in hockey, and perhaps this how Rossall Hockey acquired the rule. Or maybe it is a myth that stemmed from Rossall Hockey. Either way the rule does not exist in hockey today, but it's something that we've all been blown up for: coming in with a shave tackle from behind a player and to their right, knocking the ball away cleanly with our sticks and not even the slightest bit of body contact. You'll hear this one often from the player who's just been dispossessed: “he can't tackle from there, umpire!” If this used to be true, it's certainly not anymore.

And just in case you were wondering, yes, you can tackle a player through their legs.

4. If a goalkeeper intentionally plays the ball off the back-line, is it a penalty corner or a long corner?

This one seems to cause a bit of confusion. There are a few rules we need to look at here; 7.4 b and c, 10.2 a and 12.3 d. Most notably, rules 7.4 b and c:

7.4	When the ball is played over the back-line and no goal is scored:
	b	if played unintentionally by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper, play is re-started with the ball on the mark 5 metres from the corner of the field on the side-line nearest to where the ball crossed the back-line and the procedures for taking a free hit apply
	c	if played intentionally by a defender, unless deflected by a goalkeeper, play is re-started with a penalty corner

So for example, if the ball is shot towards goal the goalkeeper is entitled to angle his/her stick, protective equipment or any part of their body in such way that will result in the ball going off the back-line. This certainly gives the goalkeeper a fighting chance against the attacking team; also it would be absurd to say that high shots have to be deflected back into a crowd of players. However: kicking, hitting or pushing the ball over the back-line with and part of the body or protective equipment should result in a penalty corner.

Remember, common sense should govern this rule. The stick, protective equipment or body needn't be stationary to deflect to ball; only award a penalty corner if the ball in genuinely “played” off the back-line.

5. Can a penalty corner be taken to one side of the 10 metre mark if the line is damaged?

Many players ask for the umpire's permission to do this quite often, when in fact they really don't have to.

It used to be the case back in the days of pounds, shillings and pence that penalty corners had to be taken on one of the 10 yard lines. Today, the rules allow a player to take the penalty corner from anywhere on the back-line within the circle, at least 10 metres from the goal-post (rule 13.3a). So if a player wishes, they can take the penalty-corner right up to the edge of the circle. Remember though, if a penalty corner is being taken nearer to the edge of the circle, all players apart from the player taking the penalty corner must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

Interestingly, because rule 13.3 doesn't say “procedures for taking a free hit apply”, and it is not stated otherwise, the ball does not have to travel 1 metre before a member of the team that took the penalty corner can play the ball. However, the player taking the penalty corner must not play the ball again or approach within playing distance of it until it has been played by another player. And just in case you were wondering what those marks between the goal-posts and the 10 metre marks are, they are marked 5 metres from each goal-post to indicate how close a defender can stand to the ball if it is taken on the 10 metres mark.

If you said: “during a penalty corner” then you can't be given much credit, it is obvious to any hockey player. But if you also said: “during a penalty stroke” then you really are the Alan Davies of this general ignorance round.

It would be quite erroneous to not allow a team to substitute off a “kicking-back” or field-player for a fully kitted goalkeeper during a penalty stroke, particularly for the safety of the defender:

2.3	Each team is permitted to substitute from its players not on the field of play :
	a	substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until after it has been completed ; during this period substitution is only permitted for injury to or suspension of the defending goalkeeper

If the defending team decides not to substitute on a fully kitted goalkeeper, the defending player, if a goalkeeper wearing just protective headgear, must wear that headgear for the duration of the stroke. If the defending player is a field player, they are only permitted to wear a protective face mask.

The other point worth mentioning from rule 2.3a is that substitutions are only allowed after the penalty corner is complete; not after the ball has been injected as many believe.

Here is rule 2.4. Pay particular attention to 2.4d because many people are unaware of this one:

2.4	For substitution purposes, a penalty corner is completed when :
	a	a goal is scored
	b	an attacker commits an offence
	c	the ball travels more than 5 metres outside the circle
	d	the ball travels outside the circle for the second time
	e	the ball is played over the back-line and another penalty corner is not awarded
	f	a defender commits an offence and another penalty corner is not awarded
	g	a penalty stroke is awarded
	h	a bully is awarded.

Except h, these same rules apply to the scenario when the match is prolonged at half-time and full-time to allow completion of a penalty corner or any subsequent penalty corner or penalty stroke (rule 13.4). If a situation occurs where a bully would otherwise be awarded, the penalty corner must be taken again.

If I've gotten you into the habit of using metres and you said: “within 5 metres of the centre-line” you're still wrong.

It's kind of the odd-one-out for measurements in hockey, but it is in fact within 3 metres of the centre-line that substitution of field players must take place. And remember, it must be on the side of the pitch agreed with the umpires at the start of the match. And also remember, both the player coming off and the player coming on must do so at the centre-line. And of course, substitution of a player is permitted only after that player has left the field.

“Whoever calls for it” is wrong on mammoth proportions and unfortunately, an all too common answer; It couldn't be any further from the truth.

I first heard this one about three years ago from an opponent in a match I was playing in. I didn't think much of it at the time, so I just disregarded it. Later on in that same season I heard it again. I thought this was strange but hearing the same fabricated rule just twice in one season is no cause for alarm. However, it appears that in the last couple of years or so this one has grown in popularity. Today it's an epidemic. Sadly I see too many umpires awarding free-hits the wrong way. Why? Because “he called for it”.

9.10	Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been received, controlled and is on the ground.
		The initial receiver has a right to the ball. If it is not clear which player is the initial receiver, the player of the team which raised the ball must allow the opponent to receive it.

As you can see there is no mention of calling for the ball. The explanation states: “The initial receiver has a right to the ball.” The initial receiver is the player who is in the correct position to receive the ball first. If it were the case that I could call for a falling ball and have the right to receive it, what would stop me bellowing out “mine!” and then making a 20 metre dash towards an opponent in ample space waiting for the ball to drop? That would make hardly any sense, would it?

It's important for umpires to blow their whistles before players have a chance to play the falling ball in situations where two opponents are within 5 metres of each other – players jostling and trying to off-balance one another mixed with a hard ball falling from a height is a recipe for serious injury. Remember, if there is doubt as to who the initial receiver is, the player of the team which did not raise the ball has the right to it. Also note that an opponent must be given 5 metres to receive the ball even if the ball has bounced. And of course, if a player receiving the ball has been given 5 metres to do so, but due to poor receiving skills makes the ball dangerous, they must be penalised for dangerous play.

The location of the penalty has also been known to cause confusion. The penalty is awarded where the offence occurred. In this case it's where the player approached within 5 metres of the opponent receiving the ball. If however, the ball was raised dangerously in the first place, the penalty is awarded from where the ball was raised.