How do free hits and the 5-metre rule work?

Where (FIH Rule 13.1):

• A free hit is taken close to where the offence happened. That means within playing distance and with no significant advantage gained, and more precisely inside the 23-metre area.
• A free hit to the defence within 15 m of the back-line may be taken up to 15 m out, in line with the offence and parallel to the side-line.
• A defensive free hit in the circle may be taken anywhere in the circle.

How (Rule 13.2, which also covers centre passes and restarts after the ball has gone out):

• The ball must be stationary.
• Opponents must be at least 5 m from the ball. An opponent within 5 m must not interfere or try to play the ball. If they aren't doing so, the free hit doesn't need to be delayed.
• For an attacking free hit inside the 23-metre area, all players other than the taker (attackers too) must be at least 5 m away. The exception is for free hits within 5 m of the circle (see the self-pass question).
• The ball can be moved with a hit, push, flick or scoop. It may be raised immediately with a push, flick or scoop, but not intentionally with a hit.

When (Rule 12.2): a free hit goes to the opposing team for:

• any offence between the 23-metre areas;
• an offence by an attacker in the 23-metre area they're attacking;
• an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but in their own 23-metre area.