Basic Indoor Hockey Rules

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Court dimensions

 Field min 18m x 36m; max 22m x 44m�

Introduction

• Basic hockey rules apply (e.g. Flat side of stick, no feet, penalty corners...)
• Players are not allowed to hit, reverse paddle or slap the ball, only pushing.
• Only with an attempt at goal players are allowed to flick the ball.
• Players are allowed to use the board on the side as an additional pass option.
• If ball goes over the board, a free hit will be awarded.
• No more that 3 points are allowed in contact with the court, stick and two feet (not for goal keepers). (Set position)
• If a player is in the set position, the ball is not allowed to be played straight into his stick.

 Team composition

• 6 Players on court at any given time
• 12 players max in team
• 5 Field players plus a goalie on the court
• If no keeper – no goalkeeping privileges for 6^th player
• More than 6 – captain personal penalty or penalty corner
• Subs are made on the halfway line (+- 3m)
• Unlimited subs field players
• 2 subs keepers
• substitutions are not permitted for suspended players

during suspension

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A match consists of four quarters of 10 minutes, �an interval of 1 minute between quarter 1 and 2 and

between quarter 3 and 4 and a half-time interval of 3 minutes.

Game

Ball outside the pitch

• When the ball travels over the side-board: a play is re-started within 1 metre of where the ball crossed the board

If this would result in a re-start inside the circle, play is instead re-started with the ball one metre outside the circle and one metre from the side-board.

• The procedures for taking a free push apply.
• When the ball is played over the back-line and no goal is scored:
• Play is restarted by a player of the team, which was not the last team to touch or play the ball before it went out of play.
• If played by an attacker, play is re-started with the ball up to 9-10 metres from and in line with where it crossed the back-line in line with the end of the circle.(16^th)
• If played unintentionally by a defender or deflected by a goalkeeper, play is re-started with the ball on the centre-line and in line with where it crossed the backline (long corner)
• the procedures for taking a free push apply.
• if played intentionally by a defender, unless deflected by a goalkeeper, play is re-started with a penalty corner

A goal is scored when the ball is played �within the circle

by an attacker �and does not travel outside the circle

before passing �completely over the goal-line �and under the cross-bar.

Method of scoring

Danger – Players do’s and dont’s

• Players must hold the stick and not use it in a dangerous way
• Players may not play the ball with the back of the stick
• Players may not play the ball when the ball is above shoulder height except that defenders are permitted to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height.
• Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play or evasive action
• Players must not raise the ball off the pitch except for a shot at goal
• Players must not play the ball when it is in the air except that a player from the team which did not put the ball in the air may stop it.
• Field players must not stop, kick, propel, pick up, throw or carry the ball with any part of their body.
• Field players must not play the ball while lying on the pitch or with a knee, arm or hand on the pitch, other than the hand holding the stick. (3point mx rule)
• Players in possession of the ball may not effectively shield the ball such that an opponent is prevented from being able to play it.
• Players must not intentionally enter the goal their opponents are defending or run behind either goal.
• Players must not delay play to gain benefit by time-wasting.
• Players must not trap or hold the ball against the sideboards.
• Opponents must leave an outlet of reasonable size (level dependant) through which the ball may be played

Penalties

A penalty corner is awarded:

• for an offence by a defender in the circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal
• for an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does not have possession of the ball (off ball)
• for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the half of the pitch they are defending
• for intentionally playing the ball over the back-line by a defender

Goalkeepers are permitted to deflect the ball with their stick, protective equipment or any part of their

body in any direction including over the back-line.

• against the team which carried out a substitution incorrectly (6+ on court)
• when the ball becomes lodged in a player’s clothing or equipment while in the circle they are defending.

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Penalties

A penalty stroke is awarded:

• for an offence by a defender in the circle which prevents the probable scoring of a goal
• for an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who has possession of the ball or an opportunity to play the ball

Penalty stroke = one player faces the keeper from P spot

Penalties

Procedures for taking penalties

• a free push is taken close to where the offence occurred
• a free push awarded outside the circle to the defence within 9 metres of the back-line is taken up to 9-10

metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-board

• a free push awarded inside the circle to the defence is taken anywhere inside the circle or up to 9-10 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-board.

Free push

Procedures for taking a free push

• the ball must be stationary
• opponents must be at least 3 metres from the ball
• all players other than the player taking the free push must be at least 3 metres from the ball �from a free push awarded to the attack within the half of the pitch they are attacking,
• the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 3 metres, or has been touched by a defending player.
• The ball may also be played into the circle off the side-boards, providing that it has travelled at least 3 metres before rebounding off them.

Penalties

Taking a penalty corner:

• time and play are stopped after a penalty corner is awarded and re-started when the teams are ready.
• Teams must take the minimum time to take their positions (as a guide 20 seconds)
• the ball is placed on the back-line inside the circle at least 6 metres from the goal-post on whichever side of the goal the attacking team prefers
• an attacker pushes the ball without intentionally raising it
• the pusher must have at least one foot outside the pitch
• the other attackers must be on the pitch, outside the circle with sticks, hands and feet not touching the �ground inside the circle
• the defending goalkeeper if there is one, must be in the goal ;
• up to five other members of the defending team may be positioned behind the back-line on the side of the goal furthest from where the penalty corner is being
• any defender not behind the back-line must be beyond the point of the top of the circle at the other end of the pitch
• goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle
• If the pusher does not succeed in pushing the ball to the edge of the circle, the team mates must meet the ball and take it outside.
• A defending player sent out of the PC must move to the opposite circle.

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Penalties

The penalty corner is completed when:

• a goal is scored
• a free push is awarded to the defending team
• the ball travels more than 3 metres outside the circle
• If the ball leaves the circle a second time
• the ball is played over the back-line
• the ball travels over a side-board
• a defender commits an offence (penalty corner re-awarded; same defenders to take the defence)
• a penalty stroke/bully is awarded.

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A penalty must be completed if the game ends after it being awarded.

Danger during Penalties

If a lifted ball is hit on target but it hits into a defender:

• If played within 3 meters and above the knee -> danger
• If played outside of 3 meters -> PC re-awarded