St Albans Hockey Club

...handy to know!

At the end of the day, we all need to know the rules and understanding them well helps reduce the number of free hits that we give away and disagreements with the umpire (can't think when this has happened!?).

Also included are some basics about the game, so if you are just beginning to play hockey, take a look at these first.

Please note that each document is a PDF (Portable Document Format) and you will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't have it already, this is a small download and is available, free of charge, by clicking here

Key resources

Title	Description
How to Play Outdoor Hockey - A beginners guide	All the basics if you are just starting out playing outdoor hockey.
How to Play Indoor Hockey - A beginners guide	All the basics if you are just starting out playing indoor hockey.
Outdoor Rules 2005	The latest outdoor rules from the FIH.
Indoor Rules 2005	The latest indoor rules from the FIH.

Rule changes from January 1st 2004

Deliberate lifting into the D (aerial or otherwise)
This rule has been removed. It will be perfectly legal to raise a ball into an opposition D regardless from anywhere on the pitch so long as the ball is not deemed 'dangerous'.

Penalty Stroke
The 'Single Step' rule has been removed. Effectively you could take a run up for a Stroke BUT you must still play the stroke from behind the ball). Umpires will no longer ask if both players are in Position (you are committed to taking it once in that position) : a stroke shall be taken when the whistle has been blown. It is now clear that a stroke shall be retaken if a goalkeeper moves off the line or moved either foot before the ball has been played. Any other offence committed by a goalkeeper shall result in a goal being awarded.

Suspension
An umpire can now legally increase the time suspended for misconduct post-yellow.

Leaving the field of Play
Players who leave the field of play for injury treatment, refreshments, to change equipment, to chat or for any reason other then substitution can only return to the game between the two 23 metre (25 yard) lines.

Umpire Signals
New signals have been introduced for dangerous play (one forearm placed diagonally across chest) and Stick Obstruction (one arm held out front at 45 degree angle while touching the forearm with the other hand).

Penalty Corners
The specification of how a penalty corner is completed has been simplified and standardised and are follows - A penalty corner is over if: -

1. A goal is scored
2. An attacker commits an offence 3
3. The ball travels more 5 metres outside the circle
4. The ball travels outside the circle for the second time (as long as the first did not contravene point 3)
5. A defender commits an offence and another penalty corner is not awarded
6. A penalty stroke is awarded

Bully
It has been simplified so that sticks only need to touch once.