How do cards work in indoor hockey?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Hockey Association
- FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey 2027
- Indoor hockey
- Senior
- 2026/27
- Players
FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey, Rule 14 (2027). Suspensions indoors are shorter than outdoors. A player or team official may be:
| Personal penalty | Signal | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| Caution | Spoken words | None |
| Temporary suspension | Green card | 1 minute of playing time |
| Temporary suspension | Yellow card | 2 or 4 minutes of playing time |
| Permanent suspension | Red card | Rest of the match |
Under the 2027 rules:
- You shouldn't get two green or two yellow cards in the same match, even for different offences. After any personal penalty, your next carded offence must get a higher card. Cards for a team offence given to the captain don't count.
- Team officials can be carded too, and the team then plays a player short.
- Misconduct while suspended earns a higher card.
While suspended: sit in the designated place, and don't coach, shout or do team duties. The suspension starts when you're seated. You may rejoin the team at a quarter or half-time interval, then go back to finish it. Your team plays one player short throughout. A red card means leaving the field and its surrounds, and your team is a player short for the rest of the match.
Added 22 Oct 2026