Grass hockey is a sport that combines technical, tactical and physical skills, and can be quite complex. That’s why knowing the rules of grass field hockey is fundamental to understanding the dynamics of the game and its strategies.
The rules of grass field hockey are established by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and apply to all official competitions. These rules range from the structure and size of the pitch to infractions and penalties.
So check out the main rules of grass field hockey and stay up to date with the sport!
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Grass field hockey rules: complete list
- Playing area;
- Duration of the game;
- Scoring;
- Players;
- Infringements and penalties;
- Free kicks and penalty corners;
- Equipment;
- Substitutions;
- Referees.
Grass field hockey rules: playing area
The pitch is large, rectangular in shape and measures 91.4 meters long by 55 meters wide. The pitch is divided into two equal halves by a center line and contains two semicircular goal areas, known as goal circles, with a radius of 14.63 meters each, located in front of each goal.
The goals are 3.66 meters wide and 2.14 meters high, and are equipped with nets to prevent the ball from leaving the field after a goal.
There is also a 5-meter line outside each goal circle, which is known as the shooting line.
Grass field hockey rules: length of game
A grass field hockey game is divided into four periods of 15 minutes each, totaling 60 minutes of regulation time.
Between each period, there are short breaks of 2 minutes, with a longer break of 10 minutes in the middle of the game, between the second and third periods.
This format was developed to increase the intensity and speed of the game, providing more opportunities for players to rest and coaches to adjust their strategies.
If the game ends in a draw in a competition where a winner needs to be determined, the match can go into extra time or shoot-out to decide the winner.
Extra time usually consists of two additional periods of 7.5 minutes each, and if the tie persists, the decision goes to shoot-outs.
Grass field hockey rules: scoring
Scoring in grass field hockey is simple: each goal scored is worth one point. For a goal to be valid, the ball must be touched by an attacker inside the goal circle before it enters the goal.
But if the ball is touched by a defender or goes directly into the goal from outside the circle, it will not be valid.
In addition to goals, there are also penalties and shoot-outs, which can be used to break a tie or decide the result in specific situations.
A shoot-out is a one-on-one contest between a striker and the goalkeeper, in which the striker tries to score a goal from a specific position on the pitch.
Grass field hockey rules: players
Each grass field hockey team consists of 11 players on the pitch, including the goalkeeper. In addition to the starters, each team can have up to seven substitutes on the bench.
Substitutions are unlimited and can take place at any time during the game, as long as the outgoing player leaves the field before the substitute comes on.
Players are divided into specific positions, including forwards, midfielders, defenders and the goalkeeper.
Grass field hockey rules: infractions and penalties
Grass field hockey has several infractions that can result in penalties. They are categorized as minor or major, depending on the severity.
Minor infractions include, for example, obstruction, the act of blocking an opponent’s path without trying to play the ball, and playing the ball in a dangerous manner.
More serious infractions include intentional fouls, such as using the stick aggressively against an opponent, or committing a foul inside the goal circle.
Penalties for minor infractions usually result in free kicks for the opposing team. For major infractions, the result can be green cards (warning), yellow cards (temporary suspension) or red cards (expulsion).
Grass field hockey rules: free kick and penalty corner
In grass field hockey, a free kick is awarded for minor infractions committed outside the goal circle. Then, the opposing team must move at least five meters away from the ball before the shot is taken.
A penalty corner, on the other hand, is awarded for infractions committed inside the goal circle or for intentional fouls outside the circle but within the 23-meter area.
During a penalty corner, up to five defenders, including the goalkeeper, position themselves behind the goal line while an attacker inserts the ball from the corner of the field.
The other attackers, in turn, wait outside the goal circle until the ball is inserted. This type of penalty is one of the most strategic and exciting situations in the game.
Grass field hockey rules: equipment
The equipment used in grass field hockey includes a stick and a ball, and for field players, the use of mouthguards and shin guards is compulsory.
The field hockey stick must have a flat side and a curved side, and only the flat side can be used to play the ball.
Goalkeepers use additional equipment for protection, including helmets, chest protectors, gloves, leg protectors and special shoes.
The field hockey ball is made of hard plastic and has a diameter of around 7.5 cm. It was developed to roll quickly on artificial grass, which is the most common playing surface today.
Grass field hockey rules: substitutions
Substitutions in grass field hockey are made without interrupting play. As a result, a player can enter and leave the field at any time, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the game in progress.
There are, however, specific procedures for replacing the goalkeeper, and this must be done during a stoppage of play.
Grass field hockey rules: referees
The game is overseen by two referees on the pitch, and each is responsible for half the pitch. The referees have the authority to apply all the rules, award penalties and make decisions on goals.
In addition to the two referees on the pitch, there may be a video referee (in high-level competitions) who reviews controversial plays or incidents that the referees on the pitch could not see clearly.
Grass field hockey rules: complete list
- Playing area;
- Duration of the game;
- Scoring;
- Players;
- Infringements and penalties;
- Free kicks and penalty corners;
- Equipment;
- Substitutions;
- Referees.
These are the rules of grass field hockey! If you enjoyed learning more about the sport, take the opportunity to keep following the site to stay up to date with everything that happens in the world of sport!
