Field Hockey Rules

The game of field hockey is played on a field similar to a soccer field. Each team has 11 players. There are 10 regular players and one goalie. The positions are usually defense, midfielders and forward attack players. All players must wear shin guards and mouth guards. The goalie must have a different colored jersey, helmet and face protection, body and shin pads, gloves and kickers on the feet. Their primary way to stop a goal is by using their hand, stick, pads and feet to kick the ball away from the goal. The game starts with a center pass from the center circle. A coin toss decides who will get their choice of the side of the field or first possession of the ball. The game will start with a pass in any direction. A goal may only be scored if the shot is taken from the semi-circular area in front of the goal called the shooting or striking circle for offense or the Dee (D) for defense.

Basic Skills: Dribbling – Moving the ball, using the flat side of the stick, with the left hand at the top of the stick and right hand below. Reverse Stick – If the ball is passed, dribbled or pushed to the right, a reverse stick (hook in) must be used. Pushing – Moving the ball with a sweep action that has no back swing. Driving – Hitting the ball with a back swing. Flick or scoop – A ball that is lifted off the ground as a pass or to score.

Basic Terms: Possession – having the ball. Offense – The team that has possession and is trying to score. Defense – The team that doesn’t have possession and is trying to stop the other team from scoring and to gain possession. Marking – Selecting an opponent or a space to guard. Cutting – Moving on the field to gain opportunities to get the ball. Fouls – Doing anything against the rules of play. Free Hit – After a foul the other team starts play with a free hit on the spot. Bully – If a double foul occurs, play can be started with a bully. Corner – When the defense touched the ball before going out of bounds in the end zone a long corner is taken. Penalty Corner – When the defense breaks a rule in the “D.” A penalty corner is taken. Penalty Stroke - When the defense commits a foul that prevents a score, one chosen offense player will push flick or scoop at the 7 yd. mark with only the goalie defending.

Fouls: High sticks – Lifting the stick high, putting others in danger. Advancing – Kicking the ball or using other body parts to move the ball. Wrong side of the stick – Players may only use the flat side or end of the stick to move the ball. Obstruction – Blocking out an opponent from getting the ball by using the body. Dangerous play – Doing anything with your stick or body that endangers other players. (Tripping, checking, hooking, slashing sticks, hitting into, raising the ball higher than the knees, hitting hands, etc.)

Players: Forwards (F) – Offense attack players who score and assist goals. Midfielders (M) – Players who must play both offense and defense. Defense (D) – Players who can stop the other team from scoring and clear the ball away from the goal area. Goalie (G) – The player who can stop goals with their feet, body and glove. Wings (W) – Players who play wide, close to the sidelines. Sweeper (S) – A defensive player who assists the goalie.

Field:

Player Positioning Examples: Traditional (5-3-2-1) Link (4-2-3-1-1) 3-3-1-1-System

Cues to Remember on the Field: 1. Stay spread out, players should never get too close to each other. 2. Be aggressive but play with control. 3. Always know where your teammates and opponents are. 4. Stay with the person you are marking. 5. Cut to open spaces to receive passes. Floor Hockey Rules

Floor hockey is a non-contact sport adapted from ice hockey. There are usually 6 players on the court, one is a goalie. (More players are allowed for gym class, but 6 works best.)

In ice hockey a hard rubber puck is used in the game. In floor hockey a plastic puck may be used or, as in street hockey, a plastic ball may be used. Players may use both sides of the stick to dribble and move the puck on the court. Lifted puck – If the puck is lifted in the air it may be blocked (not caught) with the hand and dropped on the floor to be played.

Rules: - Players may use their stick or feet to move the puck; but may not score with their feet. - Players may not move or dislodge the goal during play. - Only the goalie may be in the crease, designated area in front of the goal. - The puck may be lifted into the air during play. - There is no off-sides, icing, in gym play.

Violations: - High sticks - Checking, tripping or running into opponents - Slashing the opponents stick - Hitting opponent with the body or stick. - Trapping the puck with feet or catching with the hand.

Penalty for Violations: For breaking rules there is a penalty box where the student must sit for the designated time for the violation. - 2 minutes for the 1st violation, - 4 mins. For the 2nd, - 10 mins. For the 3rd. - The team must play with one less man when they are in the box. - This is called a power play for the opponents team. A power play makes it easier for the opponents to score