FIELD HOCKEY BASICS

BY THE NUMBERS STICK BASICS

11 Players per side

(including goalkeeper)

2 Halves MOVING THE BALL (offensive)

(4 quarters for international play)
Push - This skill is executed with player’s hands apart. The
head of the stick stays in contact with the ball as it is pushed

30 or Minutes each half and there is no backswing. This allows for good control, quick
movement, and is used for accurate passing or shooting.
35 (15 minute quarters for international play)
Hit - A powerful motion where the stick is brought down
swiftly from a back swing and strikes the ball with a long

5 or follow through. The hit is fast and favored for sending the

10 Minute halftime
ball long distances or for making a hard shot on goal.
A skill in which the ball stays in
contact with the head of the stick as it is lifted into the air.
There is no back swing. Lifts are used primarily to raise
the ball over long distances or as hard shots on goal.
Player lowers the stick close
to the ground and uses the length of the stick Commonly used on turf or a smooth
to block a ball’s advance. Using the entire stick playing surface, player lowers stick parallel to ground and sweeps
widens the area available to intercept or steal the the ball in a circular motion. A sweep allows for more power than a
ball and slows the offensive player’s motion. push, making it effective for quick yet long hard passes and shots.
Player jabs the stick toward the ball
Reverse Sweep - Player uses the same motion as the
returns to both hands and regains a balanced forehand sweep with the ball starting on players left side. Player
position. This swift motion can disrupt the advance uses a different grip and must use the side of the stick with the
of the play and possibly cause a loss of possession.

Used when an offensive - Considered a push, this specialty skill is used by advanced
player is on a defender’s weak (left) side, defensive players as a variant to the straight shot or hit on a penalty corner. It can be
player extends left arm out with stick inverted close
to the ground to slow the play, block the ball’s path as powerful as a hit yet requires no back swing, making it especially
and try to cause a loss of possession. deceptive. It’s an important sklll to develop for high level competition.
 THE FIELD
7

60 YARDS 5
1
(58 METERS)
6
10 2 4
9
3

8 8
7

100 YARDS (91.40 METERS)

or . Though traditionally played on grass or turf, the game can

- goals are 7’ high, 12” wide and 4’ deep. In addition to nets, goals
1 have an 18” board lining the bottom inside sides and back. 7
- dash centered in front of each goal, 7 yards from the a pass or self-start. Players feet can be outside of sideline as long as
2 goal line marking the position where a penalty stroke is taken. the ball is inside or on the line.

- solid semi-circle surrounding the goal 16 yards from the

3 8 cross this line result in defense getting the ball at 16 yards. Defensive
score. Defensive fouls within the scoring circle result in a penalty corner. hits that cross this line result in either a long corner or penalty corner
if deemed intentional.
- a dash-lined semi-circle 5 yards outside the scoring circle.
4 Penalty corners end when the ball crosses the 5-yard mark. - short dashes 11 yards (10 meters) from the edge of each
9 goal cage that mark the place from which penalty corners may be inserted.
- intentional or repeated fouls from this line to the near
5 end line result in a penalty corner. – short dash 5.5 yards (5 meters) from the edge of
10 each goal marking the the closest position which a defender may stand to
Center line - the inserter on a penalty corner.
6 the middle of this line at the beginning of each half and after a goal.
 PLAYER POSITIONING
SAMPLE FORMATION (3-3-3-1) FORMATIONS

forwards fall back to aid the defense. Teamwork and communication is critical
and more important than positions or formations.
A coach often sets formations based on the skill and strength of the players
or the opposing team. Any formation is acceptable, and all positions are import-
ant. A coach may opt to play four forwards (potentially a 4-3-3 formation with 4

3 backs, or even a 3-3-3-1 with a defensive “sweeper.” In some situations, it is

allowed for a team to pull a goalie and play with an extra player, such as when a
team is down a goal at the end of a game.

POSITIONS
(Attackers or Strikers)
Offensive position whose primary responsibility is to
advance play toward the goal and to convert the oppor-
tunities created with fellow players into goals.
(Middies)
Both an offensive and defensive position who acts as an
initial line of defense as well as advances the ball to the

(Backs)
Defensive position whose primary responsibility is to protect the
goalkeeper, prevent opposing forwards from getting into scoring

Sweeper (Cover or Back)

Some formations include one player who traditionally is
positioned either behind or in front of the defensive line
and whose primary goal is defense.
(Goalie)
Defensive position whose primary responsibility is to
prevent opponents from scoring and to coordinate
defenders in the defense of the goal.
 FOULS AND UMPIRE SIGNALS
PENALTY CARDS
Field hockey uses a three card
system for player warnings and
suspensions for deliberately
dangerous play, unsportsmanlike
behavior and repeated violations.
GOAL SCORED 16 YARD HIT BACK OF STICK STICK OBSTRUCTION THIRD PARTY
GREEN Player must leave the
OBSTRUCTION OBSTRUCTION
the team plays short
(no replacement).
YELLOW Player leaves for at least
5 minutes (at the

and the team plays short.

RED player leaves the game
and cannot be replaced.
DANGER PENALTY HIGH PENALTY PENALTY FREE HIT FOOT They may be suspended
for subsequent games.
CORNER CORNER HIT STROKE
GOAL SCORED - signaled when the ball entirely crosses the goal DANGER - a broad rule that encompasses any action or situation in which a
player puts other players in danger of injury. For example tripping, wild swings
within the scoring circle. or similar actions. Intentional acts could result in a card and/or a penalty stroke.

16 YARD HIT - A free hit awarded to the defense when ball goes out the PENALTY CORNER - a scoring opportunity awarded to the offensive
end line after last being touched by an offensive player. team when the defense commits a foul within the scoring circle, or an
intentional foul within the 25 yard line.

BACK OF STICK - called any time a player touches the ball with the HIGH CORNER PENALTY HIT - on the initial hit of a penalty
back (rounded) side of the stick. corner, the ball must cross the goal line no higher than 18” for a goal to
be scored.

STICK OBSTRUCTION - called when a player hits or obstructs an PENALTY STROKE - awarded when a defensive player commits a penalty to
opposing player’s stick with their own when they are making a play on prevent a goal, or commits an intentional foul in the circle. The ball is placed on the 7 yard
the ball. This can be called on an offensive or defensive player. mark and the offensive team selects a player to take the free shot against the goalie.

OBSTRUCTION - called when a player possessing the ball uses their body to FREE HIT - awarded when a foul is committed outside of the scoring circle
prevent an opposing player from making a play. The player with the ball cannot stop (unless intentional within the 25-yd line) . Opposing players must stay at least
their motion or push back and opposing player must be actively trying to get the ball. 5 yards away until the ball is hit or the player touches the ball once (self-starts).

THIRD PARTY OBSTRUCTION - signaled when a player FOOT - the most common penalty, called when the ball hits a player’s
intentionally or unintentionally uses their body to block an opposing foot causing an advantage for their team. If there is no advantage, the
player from access to player possessing the ball. umpire may choose to hold their whistle and play on.