When is a penalty corner awarded?

FIH Rule 12.3: a penalty corner is awarded:

1. for an offence by a defender in the circle that does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal;
2. for an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does not have possession of the ball or an opportunity to play it;
3. for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metre area they are defending;
4. for a defender intentionally playing the ball over the back-line. Goalkeepers may deflect the ball in any direction, including over the back-line, with their stick, protective equipment or any part of the body;
5. when the ball becomes lodged in a player's clothing or equipment in the circle they are defending.

For comparison, an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but inside their 23-metre area gives a free hit to the attack (Rule 12.2 c).

Goalkeepers (Rule 10.2, clarified for 2026): when the ball is inside the circle a goalkeeper is defending and they have their stick in hand, they may use their stick and body to deflect the ball over the back-line or play it in any direction.