Which rules does my child's U14 club field hockey team play under?

Q: Which rules does my child's U14 club field hockey team play under?

USA Field Hockey, the national governing body, follows the 2026 FIH Rules of Hockey published by the International Hockey Federation (effective March 1, 2026) for 11-a-side and indoor play. At USA Field Hockey events (tournaments, Summer Bash, National Hockey Festival, club championships), the 2026 USA Field Hockey Regulations apply on top of the FIH rules. They cover uniforms, mouth guards, rosters, game length, cards and forfeits, and take precedence over the printed rule book. Clubs running their own games can vary some things: the FIH Rules let both teams agree on other period lengths, and USA Field Hockey lets program leaders change the number of players per side in 7v7. So local games may differ from tournament games. High school field hockey uses separate NFHS rules.

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Accepted Answer

USA Field Hockey, the national governing body, follows the 2026 FIH Rules of Hockey published by the International Hockey Federation (effective March 1, 2026) for 11-a-side and indoor play.

At USA Field Hockey events (tournaments, Summer Bash, National Hockey Festival, club championships), the 2026 USA Field Hockey Regulations apply on top of the FIH rules. They cover uniforms, mouth guards, rosters, game length, cards and forfeits, and take precedence over the printed rule book.

Clubs running their own games can vary some things: the FIH Rules let both teams agree on other period lengths, and USA Field Hockey lets program leaders change the number of players per side in 7v7. So local games may differ from tournament games. High school field hockey uses separate NFHS rules.