How do Masters rules differ from open hockey, and what do green and yellow cards mean?

Masters hockey is governed by the FIH Rules of Hockey. The Masters Championships are played under the Rules of Hockey in force on the first playing day, except as varied by the Hockey Australia Masters regulations.

The regulations' schedule of variations covers:

• Green card: a warning and temporary suspension of 2 minutes of playing time. The team plays with one less player for the suspension.
• Yellow card: temporary suspension of a minimum of 5 minutes of playing time, with the team one player short.
• Match periods and stoppages: four 15-minute quarters, and the penalty corner timing and countdown clock.

Other Masters-specific provisions in the regulations include penalty strokes instead of shoot-outs in competitions for players aged 70 or older, up to 16 field players plus one or two goalkeepers, and permission to use medical aids with a medical certificate.

Sources: Hockey Australia Masters page, https://www.hockey.org.au/play/masters and Tournament Regulations, Masters Championships 2026, https://cdn.sanity.io/files/a5i57b7j/production/fc7698484262da8869940ecbd55575c2becb7c23.pdf