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).