Rules of Hockey

Each team has a maximum of 16 players, fielding 11 players, including a goalkeeper, at one time. The object of the game is to outscore your opponent over two 35-minute halves with 10 minutes break in the middle, making the actual time span 35-10-35. The only time attacking players can score a goal is when they are in the goal circle (also known as striking or shooting circle), a D-shaped area 14.6 meters from each goal.

Centre passes start each half and after each goal, with the team scored upon taking control. The player stands on the center spot and passes to a teammate at least one meter away. A coin toss determines who will take first possession, the other team starts the second half.

Low-scoring games are common in field hockey. As in soccer, teams tend to play a more defensive game with few goal-scoring chances. Players are more inclined to stay back and wait for the attacking players to advance. In an effort to add more scoring, the offside rule was suspended in 1998. No longer does attacking player have to keep the ball or defender ahead of them when moving into a scoring position.

Penalties:

Players can only strike the ball with the flat side of the stick and can be penalized for intentionally hitting the ball with any other part of their bodies. Only the goalkeeper can use any part of his or her body to touch the ball.

Obstruction is called when players use their sticks or bodies to prevent another player from hitting the ball. The ball cannot be struck while in the air unless the player is shooting for the goal. Lifting the sticks above head level is considered a dangerous play and is not permitted.

The penalty for the above infractions is loss of possession of the ball, unless one of the two referees deems it to be a serious offense, in which case they can then issue one of three coloured cards. A green card issues a warning, a yellow card suspends the offending player for at least five minutes, and a red card ejects the offending player.

Field of play

The pitch measures 91.4 meters long by 55 meters wide. It is divided in half by a center line. The goal circle is an arc that comes out 14.6 meters from each goal.

The nets measure 2.14 meters high by 3.66 meters wide and 1.22 meters deep. Since the 1976 Games in Montreal, all Olympic contests have been played on artificial turf.