How does indoor hockey differ from outdoor?

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The main differences between the FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey and the outdoor rules: Indoor Outdoor (11-a-side) Players on the field Up to 6 per team Up to 11 per team Pitch 44 m x 22 m recommended (minimum 36 m x 18 m), with side-boards along the long sides Full-size outdoor pitch, no boards Hitting Not allowed, push only Allowed Raising the ball Only for a shot at goal (unintentional rises under 100 mm are fine unless an opponent is close) Allowed with a push, flick or scoop, but not intentionally with a hit except a shot at goal Free restarts Free push, opponents 3 m away Free hit, opponents 5 m away Match length 4 x 10-minute quarters with 1-minute breaks after quarters 1 and 3. Other timings can be agreed or set by the competition FIH default 4 x 15-minute quarters. England Hockey competitions set their own timings Goalkeeper's area Must stay in their own half (except to take a penalty stroke) Must stay in their own 23-metre area (except to take a penalty stroke) In both versions, players must not play the ball with the back of the stick, obstruct, or play dangerously.

	Indoor	Outdoor (11-a-side)
Players on the field	Up to 6 per team	Up to 11 per team
Pitch	44 m x 22 m recommended (minimum 36 m x 18 m), with side-boards along the long sides	Full-size outdoor pitch, no boards
Hitting	Not allowed, push only	Allowed
Raising the ball	Only for a shot at goal (unintentional rises under 100 mm are fine unless an opponent is close)	Allowed with a push, flick or scoop, but not intentionally with a hit except a shot at goal
Free restarts	Free push, opponents 3 m away	Free hit, opponents 5 m away
Match length	4 x 10-minute quarters with 1-minute breaks after quarters 1 and 3. Other timings can be agreed or set by the competition	FIH default 4 x 15-minute quarters. England Hockey competitions set their own timings
Goalkeeper's area	Must stay in their own half (except to take a penalty stroke)	Must stay in (except to take a penalty stroke)