How do free pushes and the self-pass work indoors?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Hockey Association
- FIH Rules of Indoor Hockey 2027
- Indoor hockey
- Senior
- 2026/27
- Players
When (Indoor Rule 12.2): a free push goes to the opponents for an offence by an attacker in the half they're attacking, or an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle in the half they're defending. (Intentional defender offences there are a penalty corner.)
Where (13.1): close to the offence. A defence free push within 9.10 m of the back-line may be taken up to 9.10 m out, in line with the offence. One awarded in the circle may be taken anywhere in the circle.
How (13.2):
- The ball must be stationary. FIH wants a clear, visible attempt to stop it, especially before a self-pass.
- It's moved with a push only. You may keep playing it yourself (self-pass).
- Opponents must be 3 m away. Anyone inside 3 m when it's taken mustn't play or try to play the ball until they're 3 m away, or it has travelled 3 m or been touched by a defender who can legitimately play it.
- Attacking free push in your attacking half: everyone except the taker must be 3 m away.
Getting into the circle: from an attacking free push in the attacking half, the ball mustn't enter the circle until an attacker has played it after it travelled at least 3 m, or a defender has touched it. On a self-pass, it must travel 3 m before you push it in. It may also enter off the side-boards, as long as it travelled 3 m before rebounding.
Within 3 m of the circle, taken immediately: defenders inside the circle within 3 m may shadow the self-passer around the inside of the circle without playing the ball until it has travelled 3 m or been touched by a defender. If you don't take it immediately, everyone must be 3 m away first.
Added 22 Oct 2026