WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY

Bryant University Intramural Field Hockey

Rules and Regulations

Required Equipment:

Field Hockey Stick

Mouth Guards

Optional Equipment:

Shin Guards

Eye Guards (Goggles)

Game Time:

Each game will consist of two 25-minute halves. Halftime will be 5 minutes.

Start of Game

To decide who will have possession first a coin will be flipped. The ball must be passed back at the start of the game. No one may cross the midfield line until the ball has been moved.

We will be playing 5 vs. 5.

Uniforms

You do not have to wear uniforms but each team should wear the same color shirts in order to differentiate teams.

Substitutions
Substitutions will be allowed on the "fly" with exiting player within 10 yards of own bench area and entering player passing exiting player within 5 yards of own bench area.

Free hits (legal stroke = push)

×           A free hit is awarded to the non-offending side following an infraction and are usually taken at the spot the foul occurs.

×           No player of the opposing team may be within 5 yards of the ball when hit.

×           The ball must be stationary and the striker must push or hit it. The hitter may not replay the ball until another player has touched it.

×           If the infraction is committed by a defender within the shooting circle, the attacking team is awarded a penalty corner.

Flicks and scoops during field play will be permitted; lofted balls will be ruled as dangerous.  

Penalty Corners
Three (3) defenders are allowed to defend. All other defenders must return to the halfway line. Attacking team must remain out of circle and off the line and the defending team must line up behind the goal line under the ball is put into play.  Fouls by the attacking team will result in a free hit for defense from top of circle.  Fouls by the defending team will result in a retake of the corner.  Persistent fouls by the defense may result in a penalty stroke. Referee will control the start of a corner with a hand indication.  Legal stroke for player taking the corner hit is a push.  Initial hit after receiving corner hit and shots on goal thereafter may be a push, scoop or flick but will be ruled according to danger by referee.  The initial hit must be controlled or the ball stopped prior to shots on goal.

Fouls and Misconduct

Fouls are when a player uses the body or the stick in any manner to strike, attempt to strike, trip, attempt to trip, push, hold, charge, obstruct, including third-party, or cause dangerous play.  Dissent (word or action) and vulgar or profane language are misconduct.  Penalty will be change of possession.  If necessary, player shall be cautioned (green, yellow or red) as deemed by the referee.  If player is shown a yellow card, player will be penalized three (3) minutes of playing time and team will play down. There will be no red cards in this league, but if a player continues to conduct themselves in an unsportsmanship-like manner they will be asked to sit out the remainder of the game, and their team will have to play a man down.

A Player May Not

×          Shield or obstruct the ball from an opponent with the body or stick. All players must have an equal chance to gain control of the ball as it is dribbled or passed down the field.

×          Play the ball with the rounded side of the stick.

×          Interfere in the game without a stick

×          Charge, hit, shove or trip an opponent

×          Play the ball in a potentially dangerous way.

×          Use the foot or leg to support the stick in order to resist an opponent

×          Raise the stick in a dangerous or intimidating manner while approaching, attempting to play or stop the ball

×          Advance the ball by any means other than with the stick.

×          Stop or deflect the ball in the air or on the ground with any part of the body

×          Hit, hook, hold or interfere with an opponent's stick

Obstruction occurs when:

×          A player moves or interposes herself or her stick (Stick Obstruction), keeping an opponent from attempting to play the ball.

×          A player shields the ball with her stick or any part of her body.

×          A third player takes a position between an opponent and the ball so her teammate has an opportunity to play the ball. (Third Party Obstruction)

Advancing:

Is using any part of the body to propel, deflect, or stop the ball to a team's advantage.

Free Hit:

Is a means of putting the ball in play by any player following a foul that occurs outside the circles by an opponent. The only legal strokes for a free hit are a push or a drive.

Penalty Corner:

Is a means for the attacker to put the ball in play from a spot on the end line 10 yards from the nearest goal post. A penalty corner is awarded when the defense commits a foul within the circle. The only legal strokes for a penalty corner are a flick, drive, or push.

Side In:

Is the method for putting the ball in play after it has gone over the sideline. Legal strokes are a push or a drive.

Long Hit:

Is a method for an attacker to put the ball in play from a spot on the sideline 5 yards from the corner flag. A long hit is awarded when the defense sends the ball unintentionally off the end line. The only legal strokes for a long hit are a push or a drive.