Notes on the Rules of Field Hockey

Game Overview

• Teams: Two teams, each with 16 players; 11 active players on the field
  • Positions: 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 4 midfielders, 3 forwards
• Objective: Score more goals than the opposing team
• Field Dimensions:
  • Length: 100 yards
  • Width: 60 yards
  • Important Lines: Halfway line, 23-meter lines
• Goals:
  • Width: 12 feet
  • Height: 7 feet
  • Surrounded by a 50-meter radius shooting circle

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Winner of the coin toss starts
• Ball Movement: Use the flat side of the stick to dribble or pass
  • Only the flat side of the stick can touch the ball
  • Offense aims to position for a goal
• Tackling:
  • Legal from the front or side
  • Illegal from behind or by multiple players simultaneously

Match Duration

• Two halves, 35 minutes each (Total: 70 minutes)
• Tie resolution: Draw, extra time, or penalty shootouts in knockout games

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions allowed at any time
• Player must exit before substitution enters

Fouls and Free Hits

• Free Hit awarded for:
  • Kicking the ball
  • Touching the ball with the body
  • Multiple players tackling
  • Obstruction or shielding

Dangerous Play

• Definitions:
  • Excessive contact
  • Dangerous stick use
  • Lifting the ball dangerously
• Penalties:
  • Green card: Warning
  • Yellow card: 5-minute send-off
  • Red card: Ejection without substitution

Corners

• Long Corner:
  • Unintentional defender hit behind goal-line
  • Attacking team takes from a long corner mark
• Penalty Corner (Short Corner):
  • Deliberate defender hit behind goal-line
  • Setup at short corner mark with 5 defenders

Penalty Stroke

• Awarded for intentional foul on a player with a scoring chance
• Single shot from the penalty spot

Penalty Shootout

• Used in draws
• 5 shooters per team, 8 seconds per attempt
• Only goalkeeper defends; rebounds allowed within time limit

Final Notes

• Understand rules over time by watching or playing
• Engage with content via likes, comments, shares
• Discuss further on social platforms like Reddit

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