Outdoor Hockey

This page contains the latest rules, interpretations, and videos for Outdoor Field Hockey.

Most of documents are in Adobe Acrobat format. Click on the icon  to download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

2011 Rules of Outdoor Hockey Including Explanations (847Kb). Updated: Jan 1, 2011	Complete, official rules of Outdoor Field Hockey
2011 Rule Changes (107Kb).  Updated: January 1, 2011	The latest changes to the rules.
2011 Rules of Outdoor Hockey - FIH Umpires Manager Briefings (217Kb). Updated: June15, 2011	This document is designed to provide umpires with match preparation and guidelines on interpreting the rules in various situations.
FHNS Outdoor Hockey Rules FAQ (85Kb). Updated: May 8, 2012	A list of Questions and Answers on the rules and how to interpret them
Simple explanation of the Rules (174Kb), Updated: June 22, 2011	Thsi document is meant for new players, parents, etc. and provides a basic explanation of the rules.
2010 FHC Rules Variations (108Kb), Updated: June 22, 2010	Covers the Green Card (2 minute suspension) and Breaking at Penalty Corners guidelines which will be used at all FHC Championships.

Outoor Hockey Umpiring Videos

Some of the videos may be in Adobe Flash format or QuickTime videos. Click on the   icon to download a free Adobe Flash Player or on the  icon to download the free Apple QuickTime player.

SELF-PASS Video explanation on the new Outdoor Self-Pass Rule (YouTube) Terry Walsh's Self-Pass Rule Explanation (YouTube)	You can find other videos explaining this rule on YouTube (Search for "Field Hockey Self-pass") as well as in the FIH Rules of Hockey Video Library. In Terry's video, instead of of 5 or 7 yds, assume 5m instead of 25 yds,  assume 23 m
FIH Rules of Hockey Video Library (view via Internet)	Excellent resource! 37 mini clips from international matches showing various legal and illegal situations such as  aerial balls, tackles, self-pass, obstruction, and advantage calls. Each video has supporting information such as the applicable rule, decision, guidance, and interpretation
Penalty Shoot-Out Competition  FIH Explanation of the Shoot-Out Procedures  Video of a shoot-out in progress #1  Video of a shoot-out in progress #2  Video of a shoot-out in progress #3	The FIH has implemented a new method for settling ties at the end of a game. This is not a new rule but a tournament regulation. Therefore, it is up to each league/tournament to determine if they wish to use this new regulation. Umpires: note where each of the two umpires are located during the shoot-out. Typically, the umpires stand in the circle on either side of the action. That way, they can help each other in case one person's view is blocked. Suggestion: one umpire should be designated as the 8-second timer. Video #3 shows you an example of a goal being awarded because the goal-keeper committed an intentional offence.
Umpire Cooperation  Reversed Decision - Ball off attacker's body  Reversed Decision - Ball off defender's body  Support - Ball off attacker's stick  Video Umpire - Was ball or stick played first? Advantage  Advantage1 - Various examples Management (players, situations)  Captain's Role  Management (5 yards, tackles, talking to players) Obstruction, Tackles  Bad Stick Tackle+Card  Bad Tackles  Good Tackles  Body Shield  Obstruction (backing into defender, 3rd party)  No Obstruction  Shave Tackles Raised Balls, Danger, Manufactured  Raised Balls - Danger  Overhead Balls - Danger (on way up & down)  Good Overhead Balls  Raised Balls - No Danger  Manufactured Foul	This series of videos will help umpires understand various aspects such as: umpire cooperation game & player management danger raised balls obstruction, tackles In some cases you will need a speaker to hear the conversation between the umpires or with the players. Note that although 'Manufactured Fouls" has been removed from the rule book, danger still applies. Also, ask yourself if the defender tried to play the ball with their foot or body or if the attacker played into the body of the defender.