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.