1. Be in The Striking Zone
When it comes to penalty corners in field hockey, the location of the foul is more important than the type of foul. An umpire awards a penalty corner to the offensive--or attacking--team when the defending team causes a foul like an obstruction, a backstick or an undercutting inside the striking circle. If the defense fouls outside the striking circle, the foul results in a free hit instead of a penalty corner. For more severe fouls like misconduct or rough play, the umpire may enforce a more serious consequence like a penalty stroke.
2. Penalty Corners Enforce Boundaries
Committing a foul inside the striking circle is not the only reason an umpire awards a penalty corner. An official may award a penalty corner for fouls committed outside the striking circle when the defensive player is within the 25-yard line. A third reason occurs when a defensive player intentionally hits the ball out-of-bounds over the end line. The position of the defensive player on the field does not matter; if the act was intentional it results in a penalty corner. In NCAA field hockey, most teams find it better to avoid fouls leading to a penalty corner as the offensive has an increased chance of scoring.
3. A Better Chance to Score
You may wonder what's so great about penalty corners. Once an official declares a penalty corner, he places the field hockey ball at least 10 feet from the nearest goal post. This gives the offensive team an advantage as the umpire may place the ball closer to the goal than it was before the defensive side committed the foul. Only one offensive person can be in the striking circle. While field hockey rules require the ball to pass outside the circle before a player makes a shot at the goal, the offensive team has the opportunity to do this before the defensive returns to play.
4. Defend the Goal
When an umpire awards a penalty corner, the defensive team must take position away from their goal. A maximum of 5 defenders may take position behind the goal line. Most teams include the goalie in this group with the hopes of blocking an attempt to score. The remaining defenders must wait behind the center line until the attacking player hits the ball. Once the player hits the ball, the defensive team must move quickly to get back into position to prevent a goal.
5. Press The Advantage
While the penalty corner gives the attacking team an advantage, the players need to know how to make the most of the situation. All attacking players need to be outside of the striking circle until the attacking player hits the ball. A quick pass back into the striking circle allows the player who began the play to take a shot at the goal.
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