Section 1: Introduction
Field Hockey — referred to simply as "Hockey" by its governing body — is administered internationally by the International Hockey Federation (FIH, Fédération Internationale de Hockey), headquartered at Rue du Valentin 61, CH-1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. This rulebook is drawn from FIH's official publication Rules of Hockey (including explanations), effective from 1 March 2026, Copyright © FIH 2026. It governs outdoor eleven-a-side hockey; FIH separately publishes distinct rule sets for Indoor Hockey, Hockey5s, Beach Hockey, and Para Hockey.
Two teams of eleven players each compete on a rectangular field to score more goals than their opponent by playing a ball into the opposing team's circle and over the goal-line beneath the cross-bar. The FIH Rules Committee continuously reviews the Rules of Hockey and updates may be issued during a Rules cycle. Per the Introduction to this edition, FIH deliberately avoided any major rule changes ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup, limiting this edition's amendments to clarifications, editorial adjustments, and minor updates; a further revised Rules Book is anticipated to come into force on 1 January 2027, subject to consultation and approval.
The Rules of Hockey and FIH Tournament Regulations apply to all International Hockey. The FIH Executive Board has agreed that the same Rules and Tournament Regulations which vary the Rules of Hockey also apply to the top domestic league level of National Association hockey, mandatory unless a National Association applies to FIH to opt out of particular Rules or Regulations.
Section 2: Equipment
Stick (Rule 4.6; Field and Equipment Specifications, Section 2). The stick has a traditional shape with a handle and a curved "J" or "U" shaped head that is flat only on its left side. It must be smooth, without rough or sharp parts, and — including any coverings or grip fixings — must be able to pass through a ring with an interior diameter of 51 mm (Rule 2.17). The total weight of the stick must not exceed 737 grams, and its length, measured from the top of the handle to the bottom of the head, must not exceed 105 cm (Rule 2.18). Any curvature along the length of the stick (bow or rake) must follow a continuous smooth profile along the face or the back — but not both — and is limited to a depth of 25 mm, with the point of maximum bow no closer than 200 mm to the base of the head (Rule 2.15). Under laboratory test conditions, ball speed off the stick face must not exceed 98% of stick head speed (Rule 2.19).
Ball (Rule 4.7; Section 3). The ball is spherical, hard, with a smooth surface (indentations are permitted), and is coloured white or an agreed colour that contrasts with the playing surface (Rule 3.1d-e). It has a circumference of between 224 mm and 235 mm and weighs between 156 grams and 163 grams (Rule 3.1b-c).
Field players' clothing (Rule 4.1-4.2). Field players of the same team must wear uniform clothing; each player may choose shorts, a skort, or a skirt, provided all players wear the same colour and design. Hand protection is permitted but not required for field players — if worn, it must fit into an open-ended box of internal dimensions 290 mm long x 180 mm wide x 110 mm high without needing to be compressed. Shin, ankle, and mouth protection are recommended but not mandated by the Rules.
Goalkeeper's clothing and protective equipment (Rule 2.2, 4.3-4.5). A team may field a goalkeeper who wears a shirt or garment of a colour different from that of both teams and protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards, and kickers (Terminology: "Goalkeeper"). Hand protectors and other protective equipment are permitted but optional for a goalkeeper. Protective headgear must be worn at all times except when the goalkeeper is taking a penalty stroke, at which point headgear and hand protectors may be removed (Rule 10.1). Alternatively, a team may choose to play with only field players and no goalkeeping privileges, in which case no player on that team may wear protective headgear except a face mask when defending a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
Goalkeeper equipment dimensions (Section 4). Hand protectors, when laid flat palm upwards, must not exceed 228 mm in width or 365 mm in length. Leg guards must not exceed 300 mm in width when worn on the goalkeeper's leg.
Captain's arm-band (Rule 3.3). One player from each team must be appointed captain, and captains must wear a distinctive arm-band or similar distinguishing article on an upper arm or shoulder, or over the upper part of a sock.
Section 3: Playing Area
Field of play (Rule 1.1-1.10). The field is rectangular, 91.40 metres long and 55.00 metres wide. Side-lines mark the longer perimeters; back-lines mark the shorter perimeters, with the goal-lines forming the portion of each back-line between the goal-posts. A centre-line is marked across the middle of the field, and 23-metres lines are marked across the field 22.90 metres from each back-line. Circles are marked in front of each goal, enclosed by two quarter-circles and the lines joining them, opposite the centre of the back-lines. Penalty spots, 150 mm in diameter, are marked in front of the centre of each goal with their centre 6.40 metres from the inner edge of the goal-line. All lines are 75 mm wide and are considered part of the field of play. Flag-posts, between 1.20 and 1.50 metres in height and carrying flags no larger than 300 mm, are placed at each corner of the field.
Goal (Rule 1.10; Field and Equipment Specifications, Figure 2). Goals are positioned outside the field of play, centred on and touching each back-line. The distance between the inner edges of the goal-posts is 3.66 metres, and the distance from the lower edge of the cross-bar to the ground is 2.14 metres. Goal-posts and the cross-bar are white and rectangular in cross-section, 50 mm wide and between 50 mm and 75 mm deep; the posts must not extend vertically beyond the cross-bar, and the cross-bar must not extend horizontally beyond the posts.
Side-boards, back-boards, and nets (Section 1.6-1.7). Side-boards are 460 mm high and at least 1.20 metres long, fixed at right angles to the back-line without increasing the goal's width. Back-boards are 460 mm high and 3.66 metres long, fixed parallel to the back-line at the end of the side-boards; both are dark-coloured on the inside. The enclosed space behind the goal-posts must be at least 0.90 metres deep at the cross-bar and at least 1.20 metres deep at ground level. Nets have a maximum mesh size of 45 mm, are attached to the goal-posts, cross-bar, side-boards and back-board at intervals of no more than 150 mm, and are fitted loosely so a ball cannot rebound back into play.
Section 4: Players & Officials
Composition of teams (Rule 2). A maximum of eleven players from each team take part in play at any particular time (Rule 2.1). Per the Rules' Terminology definitions, a team consists of a maximum of sixteen persons, composed of a maximum of eleven players on the field and up to five substitutes; this may be amended by Regulation to a maximum of eighteen players. Each team fields either a goalkeeper with full protective equipment or plays entirely with field players and no goalkeeping privileges (Rule 2.2); any change between these options must take place as a substitution.
Substitutions (Rule 2.3). Substitution is permitted at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until it has been completed, during which substitution is permitted only for an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper. There is no limit on the number of players substituted at one time or the number of times a player may be substituted, but a substitution only takes effect after the outgoing player has left the field, and field players must enter or leave within 3 metres of the centre-line on a side agreed with the umpires. Time is stopped for any substitution involving a goalkeeper but not for other substitutions.
Captains (Rule 3). One player of each team must be appointed captain, with a replacement captain appointed if the captain is suspended. Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team and for ensuring substitutions are carried out correctly; a personal penalty is awarded if a captain fails to exercise these responsibilities.
Umpires (Rule 11). Two umpires control the match, apply the Rules, and are the judges of fair play. Each umpire has primary responsibility for decisions in one half of the field for the duration of the match, including free hits, penalty corners, penalty strokes, and goals awarded in that half. Umpires are responsible for keeping a record of goals scored and of warning or suspension cards used, and for ensuring the full time is played. Umpires blow the whistle to start and end quarters, start a bully, enforce a penalty, stop and re-start time around a penalty corner, start and end a penalty stroke, and indicate goals; umpires must not coach during a match (Rule 11.6-11.7).
Section 5: Rules of Play
Match format (Rule 5.1). A match consists of four quarters of 15 minutes, with an interval of 2 minutes between quarters 1 and 2 and between quarters 3 and 4, and a half-time interval of 10 minutes between quarters 2 and 3.
Start and re-start (Rule 6). A coin toss determines choice of end or the right to start the match with a centre pass; direction of play reverses in the third quarter (Rule 6.2). A centre pass restarts the match after half-time, after each quarter, and after a goal, taken from the centre of the field, with opponents required to remain in their defending half until the ball is played (Rule 6.3-6.4). A bully — in which two opposing players tap sticks over a stationary ball before either may play it — restarts play when time or play has been stopped for an injury or other reason without a penalty having been awarded, provided the stoppage was not within 15 metres of the back-line or within 5 metres of the circle (Rule 6.5).
Ball outside the field (Rule 7). The ball is out of play once it passes completely over the side-line or back-line. Generally, play restarts via a free hit for the team that did not last touch or play the ball before it went out. When the ball is played over the back-line without a goal being scored: if played by an attacker, a defensive free hit is taken up to 15 metres from the back-line, in line with where it crossed (Rule 7.4a); if played unintentionally by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper, play restarts on the 23-metres line in line with where it crossed (Rule 7.4b); if played intentionally by a defender (other than a deflection by the goalkeeper), a penalty corner is awarded (Rule 7.4c).
Conduct of play: players (Rule 9). Players must hold their stick and not use it dangerously, and must not lift it over the heads of other players (Rule 9.2). Players may not play the ball with the back of the stick (Rule 9.5) and must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except when shooting at goal (Rule 9.9). Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been touched by the receiver; under the 2026 amendment to Rule 9.10, opponents may approach once the receiver has touched the ball, provided the initial 5-metre space was respected. Obstruction (Rule 9.12) occurs when a player backs into an opponent, physically interferes with an opponent's stick or body, or shields the ball from a legitimate tackle with their stick or body; a stationary player receiving the ball may face any direction, and a player with the ball may move off with it in any direction without obstructing. Tackles must be attempted only when the tackler is in a position to play the ball without body contact (Rule 9.13). Field players must not stop, kick, propel, pick up, throw, or carry the ball with any part of the body (Rule 9.11).
Conduct of play: goalkeepers (Rule 10). A goalkeeper must not take part in the match outside the 23-metres area they are defending, except when taking a penalty stroke (Rule 10.1). When the ball is inside the circle they are defending and they have their stick in hand, goalkeepers may use their stick and body to deflect the ball over the back-line or play it in any other direction, but must not conduct themselves dangerously by taking advantage of their protective equipment (Rule 10.2). Goalkeepers must not lie on the ball (Rule 10.3), and outside the circle they defend, they may only play the ball with their stick (Rule 10.4).
Section 6: Scoring
Method of scoring (Rule 8.1). A goal is scored when the ball is played within the circle by an attacker and does not travel outside the circle before passing completely over the goal-line and under the cross-bar; the ball may be played or touched by a defender's body before or after being played in the circle by an attacker without voiding the goal.
Result (Rule 5.2). The team scoring the most goals is the winner; if no goals are scored, or the teams score an equal number of goals, the match is a drawn match. A shoot-out competition may be used as a means of reaching a result in a drawn match under FIH Tournament Regulations.
Scoring from penalties (Rule 13.5a, 13.8a). A goal may be scored directly from a completed penalty corner or penalty stroke. On the first shot at goal from a penalty corner, if that shot is a hit (as opposed to a push, flick, or scoop), the ball must cross the goal-line, or be on a path which would result in it crossing the goal-line, at a height of not more than 460 mm — the height of the backboard — before any deflection, for a goal to be scored (Rule 13.3l). This height restriction does not apply to flicks, scoops, deflections, or to second and subsequent shots at goal during the same penalty corner (Rule 13.3m).
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Advantage (Rule 12.1). A penalty is awarded only when a player or team has been disadvantaged by an opponent breaking the Rules.
Free hit (Rule 12.2). A free hit is awarded to the opposing team for an offence by any player between the 23-metres areas, for an offence by an attacker within the 23-metres area their opponents are defending, or for an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metres area they are defending.
Penalty corner (Rule 12.3). A penalty corner is awarded for an offence by a defender in the circle that does not prevent a probable goal; for an intentional offence by a defender in the circle against an opponent without possession of the ball or an opportunity to play it; for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metres area they defend; for intentionally playing the ball over the back-line by a defender; or when the ball becomes lodged in a player's clothing or equipment while in the circle they defend.
Penalty stroke (Rule 12.4). A penalty stroke is awarded for an offence by a defender in the circle which prevents a probable goal, or for an intentional offence by a defender in the circle against an opponent who has possession of the ball or an opportunity to play it.
Penalty corner procedure (Rule 13.3). The ball is placed on the back-line inside the circle at least 10 metres from the goal-post, on whichever side the attacking team prefers. The attacker taking the push or hit must have at least one foot outside the field; other attackers must remain outside the circle until the ball is played, and no defender other than the goalkeeper may cross the back-line or goal-line before the push or hit is taken. No more than five defenders, including the goalkeeper, may be positioned behind the back-line, and all other defenders must be beyond the centre-line until the ball is played.
Penalty stroke procedure (Rule 13.7-13.9). The ball is placed on the penalty spot, and all players other than the taker and the defending player must stand outside the 23-metres area without influencing play. The defending player (typically the goalkeeper) must stand with both feet on the goal-line and may not move either foot until the ball is played. The taker must push, flick, or scoop the ball — a dragging action is not permitted — and may play the ball only once, without approaching it or the defender again afterward.
Personal penalties (Rule 14). For any offence, a player may receive: a caution, indicated by spoken words; a green card, indicating a temporary suspension of 2 minutes of playing time; a yellow card, indicating a temporary suspension of a minimum of 5 minutes of playing time; or a red card, indicating permanent suspension from the current match. For the duration of any temporary or permanent suspension, the offending team plays with one fewer player.
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Responsibility and Liability. The Rules of Hockey state that participants must be aware of and expected to perform according to the Rules, with emphasis placed on safety: everyone involved in the game must act with consideration for the safety of others, and players must ensure their equipment does not constitute a danger to themselves or others by virtue of its quality, materials, or design.
Dangerous play (Rule 9.2, 9.8-9.9). Players on the field must hold their stick and never use it dangerously, and must not lift it over the heads of other players. Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way that leads to danger; a ball is also considered dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by an opponent, with the penalty awarded where the dangerous action occurred.
Aerial ball safety (Rule 9.10). Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been touched by the receiver, preserving a fair and safe contest for high balls; umpire guidance in this edition directs umpires to blow the whistle early to avoid danger when an aerial ball is falling into a crowd of players.
Tackling and contact (Rule 9.13). Players must not tackle unless in a position to play the ball without body contact. Reckless play, such as sliding tackles and other overly physical challenges by field players that take an opponent to the ground and have the potential to cause injury, should attract appropriate match and personal penalties.
Injury and bleeding (Rule 2.7). A player who is injured or bleeding must leave the field unless medical reasons prevent this, and must not return until any wounds have been covered; players must not wear blood-stained clothing.
Protective equipment discipline at penalty corners (Rule 13.3n). It is considered dangerous and negligent behaviour if a defender throws penalty-corner protective equipment, such as a face mask, hand protector, or knee pad, and it strikes an opponent, an umpire, or any other person; the offending player must receive a yellow card if the person is struck on or above the knee in a normal stance, and more serious sanctions, including a red card, may apply if equipment is thrown deliberately.
Goalkeeper protection (Rule 4.4, 10.1). Goalkeepers must wear protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards, and kickers, and protective headgear must be worn at all times except when the goalkeeper is taking a penalty stroke.
