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.