The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the world governing body for field hockey, was founded in Paris in 1924, but the origins of the sport date to ancient cultures across the world. Today, the FIH has 127 member countries working together to ensure the integrity and promotion of field hockey. The rules published by the FIH are adhered to at all levels of hockey, with slight modifications by some organizations, such as collegiate (NCAA) and high school associations.
Field of Play
Field hockey is played on a flat surface measuring 100 yards by 60 yards. The field, or pitch, can be covered with short, manicured grass or a synthetic material. Goals are 12 feet wide by 7 feet high and are at the center of each end of the field. The field is divided into quarters, each 25 yards apart. Curved lines, known as the circles, are the scoring zones, extending 16 feet out and around the goals.
Equipment
Each player uses a stick about 3 feet long and weighing about 24 ounces. The stick has a rounded top, with a head at the bottom. The head has a flat front side for playing the ball, and a rounded back side. A small, spherical ball is used for play. Players may wear pads and safety equipment, such as mouth guards, ankle protection and gloves. The goalkeeper requires additional pads, including headgear, hand protectors and leg guards.
Players
Eleven players compete for each team at one time. A team may have up to five additional players on the sidelines for substitutions. One player on each team is designated as the goaltender, and the other 10 are considered position players who act as attackers (trying to score) or defenders (trying to keep the other team from scoring).
Game Play
Games consist of two 35-minute halves. Using only the flat side of the stick, each team attempts to score goals from within the opponent's scoring circle. Players may dribble the ball or pass to teammates to advance the ball into the scoring circle for shots at the goal. Players may advance the ball only with their sticks, and only the goaltender may use her body to impede the progression of the ball. Game play begins with a center pass, taken at the middle of the field. Players from each team must remain on the end of the field they are defending until the center pass is executed. After each goal, play resumes with a center pass by the non-scoring team.
Fouls
If a player fails to follow the rules of the game, an umpire may issue a foul. Punishment for a foul varies depending on the severity of the foul and the location of the infraction. For unintentional fouls committed against it, a team may receive a free hit, allowing it free reign to pass the ball to a teammate. This will take place where the foul occurred. If close to the goal, it can result in a free hit from the penalty corner, or a penalty shot. A player can be warned (green card), temporarily suspended (yellow card) or permanently suspended (red card) from a game for intentional or dangerous fouls.
Winning
Games are 70 minutes long, and the team scoring the most points is the winner. If the score is tied after regulation time, a tiebreaker is employed. This can be accomplished by extending the playing time until one team scores, or by using penalty shots. For penalty shots, each team sends one player at a time to attempt to score against the opponent's goalkeeper. If the score still is tied after five players from each team have attempted shots, each team sends one player at a time until one team scores and the other does not.
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