In the sport of field hockey, players are expected to act and play responsibly. However, to expect every player to play every game perfectly, according to the rules, is unrealistic. Rules are put in place for the players’ and teams’ enjoyment and safety, and some can be broken with or without intention.
Field Hockey has many levels of play and leagues, each with varying rules. However, there are five common fouls a player can commit during the game. The main concern of these rules and what they outline as a foul is directly related to player safety.
1: OBSTRUCTION
There are various types of obstruction in field hockey that will result in a penalty, and players cannot in any way obstruct their opponents if they are attempting to play the ball on the field.
There are three types of obstruction that lead to a penalty:
One player uses a portion of their body to impede play on the ball.
One player uses the stick to restrict play on the ball.
Another player interferes with two players.
SIMPLE OBSTRUCTION
The first type of obstruction is when either a defender or an attacker places a part of their body between one player and the ball. The players are also obstructing another player if they back into the other player.
Charging is a play used by a defender to draw a foul from the other player. One player runs into an opposing player intending to play the ball. However, suppose the opposing player blocks the charge using their body. That player commits a foul and is called out for obstruction.
STICK OBSTRUCTION
Stick obstruction or stick interference is when a defender’s stick comes between the attacker’s ball and stick or their stick comes into contact with the attacker’s stick or body. A successful tackle by a defender requires them to take the ball from the attacker without contacting the player’s stick.
It is interference if a player’s stick is used to hit, hold, hook, or strike an opponent’s stick. A slang term for this is hacking.
Team USA field hockey rule number 9.6 states that players cannot hit the ball hard on the forehand motion with the stick’s edge. This does not mean that players can never use the edge of their stick in a tackle, but they do have to be under control.
When tackling, the player must maintain control as they raise the ball over their opponent’s stick or the goalkeeper, especially if the goalkeeper happens to be lying on the ground. In this case, they may use a long pushing motion.
Hooking is a foul called by an umpire if players use their stick to hook their opponent’s stick or leg. Tripping is another foul in which the stick is used to trip the opponent intentionally.
THIRD-PARTY OBSTRUCTION
Third-party obstruction is when a player uses their body, intentionally or otherwise, to keep a defender from getting at the player in possession of the ball.
2: BACK OF STICK OR BACKSTICKS
Playing with the rounded edge or back of the stick is prohibited. A player may only use the stick’s flat or face side to touch the ball, and the umpire will call “back sticks” or “back of stick” if the player touches the ball with the back of their stick.
3: TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR BODY
It is illegal to advance the ball with any part of your body, and players on either team must never stop, kick, propel, pick up, throw, or carry the ball. The most common issue is kicking the ball, and the most common penalty call is “foot.”
However, there are cases where a penalty would not be incurred. For instance, when the ball may inadvertently hit another player’s foot or body or the opponent positions to stop the ball deliberately. The umpire will sometimes elect to allow play to continue if it was accidental, and there was no advantage gained.
4: ROUGH AND DANGEROUS PLAY
Dangerous play can encompass many actions that might expose players to physical injuries, such as wild swings, a high ball, or overly aggressive actions by players.
LEGITIMATE EVASIVE ACTION
The first involves evasive action. If an opponent, or any player on the field, feels the need to take legitimate evasive action due to possible direct impact with the ball, it is considered dangerous and a foul.
HIGH BALL
The second, labeled a high ball, occurs when the ball is lifted above knee height and directed at an opponent standing within five meters of the ball.
Player’s may not continue play of the ball if the ball is above shoulder height, and only defenders may deflect a goal shot with their stick. However, they may not actually hit the ball to prevent a goal from being scored.
STICKS
An umpire may call sticks if a player raises their stick so close to another player as to be dangerous. Players must not ever lift their stick over their heads or the heads of other players, particularly in a threatening or harmful manner.
A defender may attempt to stop or deflect a ball when travelling towards the goal. However, if it is clearly going to miss the goal, using their stick above shoulder height will result in a penalty.
FLAGRANT FOULS
An umpire will call a flagrant foul for any intentional physical act they deem as rough or dangerous play that could cause harm or injury to another player. This results in an immediate red flag and ejection from the game.
5: UNDERCUTTING
Undercutting occurs when the ball is hit into the air using a hard stick swing, which is only allowed when attempting a goal shot. This is another rule left to the discretion of the umpire.
While raising the ball in the air is not a goal of field hockey, it can happen unintentionally, and often when taking a free hit. If the ball is raised off the field unintentionally, it is not a foul unless it causes danger to the other players.
It is permissible at times for the ball to be raised over the opponent’s stick or body when on the ground, both in and out of the circle, unless it is dangerous.
Players may also raise the ball with a scoop or flick, but, again, if not dangerous. Technically, the flick or scoop made toward an opponent must be farther than 16 feet or 5 meters, or the umpire will consider it dangerous.
