Rules FAQ
1. What is the role of the Hockey Rules Board?
The Hockey Rules Board produces rules for both indoor and outdoor hockey (or field hockey as it is sometimes known) by
** specifying the current rules and working with others in the game to ensure they are interpreted and applied consistently and fairly at all levels of participation;
** Providing advice to umpires and other technical officials about rules matters;
** Developing the rules while retaining the game’s well known and appealing characteristics;
** Aiming to make the game even safer and easier to understand for players and spectators;
** Conducting trials and promoting rules changes to achieve these objectives;
** Contributing to the development of the game as a whole including the development of equipment and variations in the format of the game.
2. Why is the Hockey Rules Board always changing the rules?
Please be assured that the Hockey Rules Board does not change rules for the sake of it! There are three main reasons for changes. One reason is to keep up with technical advances. The development of synthetic playing surfaces, player fitness, stick manufacturing and coaching tactics has changed the game and it is important that the rules keep pace with such changes.
Another reason for change is to address safety issues. Everyone’s view of safety and liability has changed over the years. For example, thirty years ago goalkeepers did not wear helmets but today’s standards and personal expectations demand increased protection.
A third reason is to insure that hockey continues as a popular sport throughout the world. In today’s fast paced electronic age, the public, especially young children, are attracted by sports they see on television. The Olympic movement has recognised this and are now including more attractive and exciting sports in their programmes. Whether one likes this or not, it is very clear that, if a sport is to attract young players and indeed keep it’s place in the Olympics, it must be an attractive game to watch and to play. Hockey has considerable room for improvement in this area and the Hockey Rules Board together with the FIH is aware of this.
3. What are rules trials?
When the Hockey Rules Board considers a substantial rules change it will first encourage National Associations to trial the proposed change voluntarily in a recognised league or other series of matches and to report the results. If the results are favourable the Hockey Rules Board may then introduce a mandatory experiment.
4. What is a mandatory experiment?
A mandatory experiment is a proposed change that the Hockey Rules Board has included in the Rules of Hockey. Everyone must play by this rule until the Hockey Rules Board decides whether or not to make it an official rule. During the period of a mandatory experiment the Hockey Rules Board is therefore very keen to get feedback through National Associations.
5. Can I put forward ideas for a change of the rules and how?
Yes you can. The best way is to send your suggestion to your National Association and ask them to consider it and forward it to the Hockey Rules Board through the FIH. In this way the formal support of a National Association is associated with the proposal and they will also know how best to put the matter to the Hockey Rules Board. Alternatively, you can send your suggestion to the Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board or to one of the its members.
6. Where can I find out who the members of the Hockey Rules Board are?
You will find a list of Hockey Rules Board members in the "Rules and Regulations" section of the FIH website.
7. What is the hockey background of the Hockey Rules Board members?
There are currently 19 members including a Chairman, Secretary, and Rules Development Secretary. All have played and/or umpired hockey. Indeed most of them are still very active with their current involvement in the game ranging from coaching at the top level to playing at veteran’s level! If you look at the Hockey Rules Board membership list on the website you will also see that the members come from all over the world. The overall shared experience (with some members having taken part in the game in various ways at different times) is: 8 international players, 6 coaches, 9 international umpires, 9 senior Tournament Officials, 4 international team managers.
8. What rules are especially under discussion at the moment?
A major current focus of rules development is a trial of what has become known as the "3 up (or out) rule" whereby at least three players of each team must not enter their defending 23 metres area. The aim of this trial is to create more space in this area and therefore to create more flowing and attractive hockey in a key part of the pitch. Indications are that by being less crowded the area will also be safer. With support from the FIH Executive Board, it is planned that this trial will take place at three or four international tournaments within the next year or so.
Other rules currently under discussion are: ** The penalty corner – which is part of the tradition of the game and can be very attractive but about which there are some concerns about safety;
** The idea of scoring "own goals" in hockey;
** Further metrication of pitch measurements – including the possibility of changing some dimensions including even the goal and/or circle size … but this would be a very long term proposition if it ever goes ahead at all!
9. Why do we have so many different interpretations?
Until recently there were various sources of information about interpretations of the rules and the Hockey Rules Board realised this could be confusing. So in November 2001 the FIH Executive Board agreed with a recommendation from the Hockey Rules Board that there should only be one set of interpretations and that the Hockey Rules Board had sole responsibility for producing these. No other FIH body or official could vary the rules or their interpretations. The Interpretations section of the 2002 rules was therefore revised and incorporates what had, for example, previously been in the FIH Umpires Briefing paper. More widely, the Hockey Rules Board works with bodies within the FIH to avoid different sources of information about rules interpretations. However, the Hockey Rules Board is aware that National Associations sometimes introduce their own interpretations. The Hockey Rules Board discourages this – but if it does happen it hopes that National Associations will report on their actions so that consideration can be given to changing the relevant interpretation throughout hockey.
If there is a need to provide advice on a rule or its interpretation between annual Rules Book publications, the Hockey Rules Board Secretary deals with any such requests and consults a small Rules Reference Group established by the Board.
10. What is the use of a "briefing" for players and umpires?
International umpires may be briefed at major events by the Umpires Manager and / or the Tournament Director. This is to ensure consistency in the team of umpires. Similar advice is included in the Rules Book to reach a wider audience of players and umpires so that there is consistency within a National Association’s own domestic matches. Many National Associations hold pre-season seminars to brief players and umpires about changes in the rules and interpretations and more generally to encourage a wide and consistent understanding of the rules. All this activity is aiming to achieve a common understanding of the rules and their application.
11. How many rules changes can be implemented at the same time?
Significant changes will only be implemented after extensive trial and a period of mandatory experiment. Hockey Rules Board experience suggests that monitoring the effectiveness of significant rule change(s) is best done when only one change is implemented at any one time – so it tries to operate in this way whenever possible.
Other amendments to the rules are essentially of a minor nature and will not affect the conduct of the game to any great extent and so a few are sometimes implemented at the same time.
12. Have any suggestions for a rules change ever been rejected?
In 2001 National Associations were invited to trial three possible rules changes: ** The so called "3 up rule" in which at least three players of each team must not enter their defending 23 metres area;
** A "new" (long) corner (similar to current penalty corner) increasing the shooting zone to the 23 metres area.
** Only the first has been retained for further trial – the others have been rejected.
Also considered in the past but not leading to permanent changes:
** Reducing the number of players on the pitch at any one time – for example from the current eleven to nine;
** Awarding a "long corner" if the ball is intentionally played over the back-line by a defender – that is, instead of a penalty corner;
** Variations on taking an attacking free hit in the 23 metres area – for example requiring all players to be 5 metres from the ball even when the free hit was more than five metres from the circle;
** Substitution at a Penalty Corner was initially permitted but was subsequently withdrawn from the rules.
13. Where can I find a translation of the Rules Book?
English and French versions of the Rules Book are produced by the FIH and may be purchased from them (or in the UK from the English Hockey Association). Both versions appear on the FIH website. The Rule Book may be published or translated for distribution or resale by National Associations - but in this case the FIH cannot vouch for the accuracy of the translation.
14. Who is responsible for a proper translation of the Rules Book?
The only official translation of the English language Rules Book is the French version produce by the FIH. National Associations are allowed to translate the rules into other languages but the FIH cannot vouch for the accuracy of any such translations.
15. Can I find an overview of the rules changes over the last 10 –15 years?
A 100 year history of the Rules of Hockey and of the Hockey Rules Board is published on the FIH website. A history of the indoor rules is also on the site.
16. Why are developments in the Rules of Indoor Hockey not important?
The Rules of Indoor Hockey are equally important as far as the Hockey Rules Board and the FIH are concerned. However, it may not sometimes appear that way because fewer countries take part in indoor hockey.
Similarly, the emphasis in answers to these FAQs seems to be on the outdoor rules partly because it would make answers complicated if they referred to "the indoor and/or outdoor rules" throughout the text. But the various processes employed to develop and publish the rules are the same for both codes of play. Indeed, as far as possible, the Hockey Rules Board keeps the rules for each game in step one with the other. So, the Hockey Rules Board is just as keen to hear comments about and to pursue ideas for development of the indoor rules as it is for the outdoor rules.
17. I have a question on the rules, where can I get an answer?
It is best first of all to seek help from your National Association.
They will know about the context of your question and will sometimes have an Umpiring or Technical Committee which can respond to you. National Associations can contact the Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board for further assistance if necessary.
18. What kind of situations involving rules or interpretations have actually occurred in matches and how have they been handled?
This happens quite often – because the game is continually developing and it is right that people playing the game lead those developments.
A good example of a change of rules as an outcome of match experience is the one which permits a defender to stop a shot at goal with their stick above the height of the shoulder. A brilliant save of a high shot in the past would be penalised and therefore was not understood widely by players or spectators. The Hockey Rules Board responded to this match scenario and recently introduced a mandatory experimental rule which permits defenders to use their stick to stop the shot at any height so long as their action is safe.
Another example is using the edge of the stick to play the ball. This started to occur in matches so the Hockey Rules Board assessed the issues and consulted widely. There was a range of views but on balance there was support for allowing this. So the Hockey Rules Board introduced a mandatory experiment in 1998 and after three years of further assessment and feedback made it a formal rule with effect from 2002.
19. How can I contact the Hockey Rules Board?
The Secretary of the Hockey Rules Board can be contacted through the FIH, but the preferred way is to route contact through your National Association because they may already be able to help you and/or will know the best way to put issues to the Hockey Rules Board.
20. Do I have to contact my National Association first in case of a rule question/remark?
It is best to give your National Association the opportunity to answer your questions or listen to your remarks first as interpretations could differ slightly from the FIH interpretation and they will know the background in your particular area.
21. Can I put questions on rules/interpretations or practical situations on the FIH website?
This is something the FIH is thinking about for the future – and these FAQs are a first step. However, dealing with questions can be very time consuming and the FIH only has limited resources either in its Brussels headquarters or on behalf of the Hockey Rules Board - whose members are all volunteers! It is therefore unlikely that a forum or anything similar will be available on the website in the near future.
22. Are the rules invented and/or developed only round the table at Hockey Rules Board meetings?
Some people in hockey seem to think this - but it is not correct! For example, every significant rules change or mandatory experiment is the result of discussions and trials in a number of associated countries. Indeed, the Hockey Rules Board usually asks all countries to participate in trials it proposes – but, sadly, it is sometimes true that a relatively small number of countries is active in this way. In addition to these formal steps the Hockey Rules Board is keen to consult with other interested groups. For example, it gets feedback from and its members arrange or attend seminars for coaches from around the world. Various internet forums are also regularly scanned by Hockey Rules Board officers to get a feeling for the views of the hockey community.
A more detailed explanation of the steps taken to consider a possible rules change is given in response to the FAQ: what is the procedure for developing a rules change?
23. My National Association is not supporting trials, does this affect the changes of rules?
Only indirectly in as much as the Hockey Rules Board needs feedback from trials and therefore wants as many National Associations (NAs) as possible to participate in them. The evaluation of trials is more complete and thorough when more NAs participate. So the Hockey Rules Board urges everyone to encourage their NAs to assist the development of hockey in this way.
24. Is it true that the "minor" hockey countries have no input on the rules or its development?
No, it is not true. The Hockey Rules Board aims to listen to everyone about rules development subjects not least because it is very aware that the rules apply throughout the game. Furthermore, in recent times the Hockey Rules Board has been very pleased that it has been some of the so called "minor" nations who have been most active in conducting trials - and their experience has influenced thinking in the Hockey Rules Board.
25. Why do we play with the same rules for every level?
One of the main reasons is so that we can relate the game each of us plays to the game played by everyone else in the world. This means, for example, that a young player can admire and learn from senior and experienced players. Other reasons include encouraging consistent coaching and umpiring and enabling resources (pitches, equipment, training ideas and so on) to be shared.
26. What is the influence of sponsors/television on the development of the rules?
There is no direct influence from sponsors or television. This is because their aims and needs are the same as those of the Hockey Rules Board: to increase the attractiveness of the game to players and officials and spectators – and therefore to encourage more people to play and watch the game.
27. Interpretations of the rules seem to be inconsistent and therefore confusing for players, coaches, umpires, spectators and so on. Is the Hockey Rules Board doing anything about this?
The Hockey Rules Board recognises that interpretations are sometimes inconsistent. Among other things it therefore regularly reviews the wording of the rules themselves and any interpretations also published in the Rules Book. The Hockey Rules Board also works with officials at tournaments to achieve consistent interpretations at each event so that people playing in it or watching it can see what everyone is trying to achieve and can pass on the message.
Hockey Rules Board members also keep an eye on what is being said in the press and in website forums to learn from what people are thinking about the rules and their interpretations. The FIH Umpiring Committee is also aware that interpretations sometimes vary and recently produced video examples of correct and incorrect interpretations which are used at briefings for major events.
28. Some rules are difficult to understand for spectators, television, etc. Is the Hockey Rules Board thinking about this?
One of the aims of the Hockey Rules Board is undoubtedly to make the game easier to understand for spectators and television – and also for players, coaches and umpires. Sometimes this is consistent with other aims such as retaining the special characteristics of our game or making the game even safer - but sometimes these aims can clash a little. The Hockey Rules Board is therefore constantly seeking to achieve a balance between its various aims including making the game easier to understand.
29. What is the procedure for developing a rules change?
Some of the other FAQs provide more details about various stages in the process such as trials and mandatory experiments, but overall the main steps are: ** Ideas come from a variety of sources including players, coaches, umpires, the media, officials at events, and so on;
** Ideas are either come through National Associations and other groups or are referred directly to the Hockey Rules Board (HRB);
** Ideas are analysed and discussed in the HRB usually over a period of time in two or three meetings;
** If the change is a relatively minor one, the HRB may then be able to recommend a change; if a significant change is involved, further investigations will take place and a working group is sometimes set up to look in detail at all the implications;
** Significant changes are progressed through trials and mandatory experiments – and there is more about these steps in answers to other FAQs;
** Having received comment and advice, the HRB will come to a conclusion; it then prepares a report about proposed rules changes for the Executive Board of the FIH (which will also have sanctioned related trials and mandatory experiments if they have taken place);
** The Executive Board will either agree the change or refer it back for further consideration by the HRB; the Executive Board cannot directly amend a proposed change; it does not happen often, but a change might then have immediate effect; otherwise the change is incorporated in the next Rules Book.
30. When does a rules change become effective?
It does not happen very often, but it is possible for a change to be implemented immediately after agreement by the Hockey Rules Board and the Executive Board of the FIH. But a change will usually come into effect when the next set of rules is published. In the past this could be on various dates during the year depending on the cycle of Olympic Games and Hockey World Cups – because the Hockey Rules Board tries to avoid introducing changes in the period immediately before these events. There will therefore continue to be a two-year influence on any rules changes but from 2004 the effective date for each set of rules will be 1 January. A fixed annual date makes it much easier for everyone to plan ahead. Having said that, officially the 1 January date applies to all international competitions but National Associations have discretion to decide the implementation date at national level.
31. Who is ultimately responsible for rules changes?
The Hockey Rules Board comes to a conclusion about any changes it considers desirable and prepares a report for the Executive Board of the FIH. The Executive Board will either agree the change or refer it back for further consideration by the Hockey Rules Board; the Executive Board cannot directly amend a proposed change. Thus the ultimate responsibility rests with the Executive Board – which you may be interested to know is composed of the officers of the FIH, representatives of each Continental Federation, the chairpersons of the main FIH Committees, and members elected by a meeting of all National Associations (the FIH Congress).