FIELDHOCKEY ABOUT THE GAME |
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THE GAME |
EQUIPMENT |
FOULS/PENALTIES |
the game
*Two Halves, 35 minutes each in collegiate and international play, 30 minutes
in high school play
*11 players per side, including the goalkeeper
*The pitch is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide (91.40m x 55.0m) divided by
a center line and a 25-yard line on each side of the field. A striking circle
is marked 16 yards (14.63m) out from each goal post. All international matches
are played on watered down artificial turf.
*Goal cages are 7 feet (2.14m) high, 12 feet (3.66m) wide and 4 feet (1.22m)
deep. Boards on the back and side of the cages are 18 inches high.
*Two umpires on the field officiate the match. An additional umpire may sit
at the scorer's table.
*The ball must be passed or dribbled down the field with the flat side of the
stick.
*A goal is scored when an attacker strikes the ball into the goal from within
the striking circle.
*Players may not shield the ball using their body or stick. All players must
have an equal chance to play the ball.
The Equipment
The Stick
The stick has a curved head, is rounded on one side and is flat on the left-hand
side. The ball can only be touched with the flat side of the stick. The stick
is made of hardwood with a minimum weight of 12 ounces and maximum weight of
28 ounces.
Using sticks that are flat on one side and curved on
the other, teams hit and dribble a solid plastic ball down the field and
try to shoot it past a
goalkeeper into a goal cage Shots may only be taken from within the striking
circle; a semicircle extending 16 yards from the goal.
The Ball
The ball, slightly larger than a baseball, weighs between 5
1/2ounces
and
5 3/4 ounces with a circumference of 8 13/16 inches to
9 1/4 inches. The hardwood sticks are 36-38 inches long. Players may strike
the ball only
with the flat
side of the stick
Fouls
A player may not
* Shield or obstruct the ball from an opponent with the body or stick. All
players must have an equal chance to gain control of the ball as it is dribbled
or passed down the field.
* Play the ball with the rounded side of the stick.
* Interfere in the game without a stick
* Charge, hit, shove or trip an opponent
* Play the ball in a potentially dangerous way.
* Use the foot or leg to support the stick in order to resist an opponent
* Raise the stick in a dangerous or intimidating manner while approaching,
attempting to play or stop the ball
* Advance the ball by any means other than with the stick.
* Stop or deflect the ball in the air or on the ground with any part of the
body
* Hit, hook, hold or interfere with an opponents stick Free Hit
* A free hit is awarded to the non-offending side following an infraction and
are usually taken at the spot the foul occurs.
* No player of the opposing team may be within 5 yards of the ball when hit.
* The ball must be stationary and the striker must push or hit it. The hitter
may not replay the ball until another player has touched it.
* If the infraction is committed by a defender within the shooting circle,
the attacking team is awarded a penalty corner. Penalty Corner
* In a penalty corner, the ball is placed on the goal line at least 10 yards
from the nearest goal post. One attacking player hits the ball to a teammate
just outside the striking circle line. No shot on goal may be taken until the
ball. A shot on goal may be attempted once the ball is played back into the
circle. All attackers must be outside the circle before the hit is taken. On
defense, a maximum of five defenders may be behind the goal line while the
remaining defenders must be positioned beyond the center line.
* Typically, the attacking player taking the free hit passes the ball to her teammates
positioned outside the striking circle. An offensive player will either slow
or stop the pass with the stick for another player to strike the ball at the
goal, or play the ball back into the circle.
A penalty corner is awarded for the following offenses:
* Any breach of the rule by a defender within
the circle that would have resulted in a free hit to the attacking team
if the breach had occurred outside the
circle;
* Any intentional breach of the rule by the defenders outside the circle
but within the 25-yard line;
* An intentional hit over the goal line by a defender from any part of
the field. A penalty stroke is one-on-one, offensive player seven yards
in front
of the goal vs. goalkeeper on the goal line, with all other players beyond
the 25-yard line.
* A penalty stroke is awarded for any intentional breach by the defenders
in the circle or for an unintentional breach by the defenders which prevents
a
sure goal.
Penalty Stroke
* A penalty stroke is a one-on-one confrontation between an offensive player
seven yards in front of the goal vs. a goalkeeper on the goal line. All other
players must stand behind the 25 yard line. The goalkeeper must stand with
both feet on the goal line and may not move either foot until the ball
has been played. The offensive player may push, flick or scoop the ball from
the penalty spot. A penalty stroke is awarded for any intentional breach
by the defenders in the circle or for an unintentional breach by the defenders
which prevents a sure goal.16-Yard Hits
* When the attacking team plays the ball over the backline, the defense receives
a 16-yard hit. The free hit is taken 16 yards from the spot where the ball
crossed the backline.The Push-In/Hit-In
* A push-in or hit-in is awarded to the opposition if a player hits the ball
wholly over the sideline. All other players and their sticks must be a least
5 yards away from the spot where the ball is put into play. Offenses& Misconduct
For rough or dangerous play, misconduct or any intentional offense, the umpire
may
* Caution the offending player
* Warn the offending player with a green card
* Temporarily suspend the offending player for a minimum of 5 minutes with
a yellow card
* Permanently suspend the offending player with a red card