What Is The Hockey Push Rule?

Despite bearing similarities to ice hockey in both name and basic rules of play, field hockey has a unique identity in the sporting world. Known only as "hockey" in parts of the world where ice hockey is less popular, there are two main varieties of the sport: field and indoor. While there are numerous rules limiting how a ball is pushed, or moved, in both varieties, one of the most controversial in recent years is an experimental free push rule introduced in 2008.

Striking the Ball

Unlike ice hockey, field and indoor hockey have rules prohibiting certain ways of striking the ball. Pushing involves both the stick and ball being in contact with the ground, with the player using a forward pushing motion to move the ball. Hitting, in contrast, involves lifting the stick off of the ground and striking the ball with a swinging motion. A flick is similar to a push, except it involves lifting the ball off of the ground with a pushing motion. Similarly, lifting the ball off of the ground is a scoop, which requires you to maneuver the head of your stick under the ball and lift it directly upward.

Free Hits and Pushes

Free hits are taken to restart play whenever time is stopped, when the ball goes out of bounds or when the team with possession commits an offense in the attacking zone. While officially called "free hits," players can hit or push the ball on such plays as long as the stick is not lifted too high off of the ground and the ball is not intentionally raised. Both raising the ball off of the ground when not attempting to score and a high backswing constitute dangerous play, so you may be penalized for such actions.

General Push Rules

For offenses against the attacking team in the scoring circle, a free push takes place 5 m, or approximately 15 feet, from the outside of the circle. If the ball goes out of bounds along the goal line, a free push is taken 15 m away from the goal line directly in line with where the ball went out of bounds. Players should be at least 5 m away from someone taking a free hit, though they are permitted within this distance if they do not interfere with the free push. Although the ball must travel at least 1 m before a teammate can play it, the International Hockey Federation introduced a self-pass rule in 2009 that allows you to play your own free pass after the ball has traveled this distance.

Experimental Free Push Rule

In 2008, the FIH introduced a rule limiting how free pushes can be played. Under this new rule, players taking free pushes near the opposing team's goal were not allowed to push the ball into the scoring circle. Instead, players were required to push the ball to a teammate outside of the circle before moving in. Although this rule no longer exists in this form, the FIH now requires that the ball cannot enter the scoring circle off of a free push unless touched by another player or until it has traveled 5 m.