Umpire's Guide to Hockey Australia Outdoor Hockey 2026

Match length (Rule 5.1). A match is four quarters of 15 minutes, with a 2-minute interval between quarters 1 and 2 and between quarters 3 and 4, and a 10-minute half-time interval between quarters 2 and 3. The 2026 edition set half-time at 10 minutes.

Agreeing otherwise. Other durations of periods and intervals may be agreed by both teams, except as specified in Regulations for particular competitions. Unless otherwise specified, teams may also agree not to stop the time after a goal or the award of a penalty corner.

Time stopped. Time and play are stopped after a goal is awarded (Rule 8.2) and after a penalty corner is awarded (Rule 13.3 a), and restart when the teams are ready. Umpires also whistle to stop the match for the substitution of a fully equipped goalkeeper onto or off the field, and to stop it for any other reason (Rule 11.6).

Result. The team scoring the most goals wins. If no goals are scored, or the teams score equal goals, the match is drawn (Rule 5.2).

Late decisions. If time expires just before an umpire would otherwise have made a decision, the umpire may make that decision immediately after the end of the quarter.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

Where (Rule 13.1). A free hit is taken close to where the offence occurred, meaning within playing distance with no significant advantage gained. The location must be more precise inside the 23-metres area. A free hit to the defence within 15 metres of the back-line is taken up to 15 metres from the back-line, in line with the offence and parallel to the side-line. A free hit to the defence in the circle may be taken anywhere in the circle.

How (Rule 13.2).

• The ball must be stationary. The FIH guidance says umpires are sometimes not strict enough on this, especially when the free hit is taken as a self-pass.
• Opponents must be at least 5 metres from the ball. An opponent within 5 metres must not interfere with the free hit or play, or attempt to play, the ball. If that player is not playing the ball, attempting to play it or influencing play, the free hit need not be delayed.
• The ball is moved using a hit, push, flick or scoop. It may be raised immediately using a push, flick or scoop, but must not be raised intentionally using a hit.
• For a free hit to the attack within the 23-metres area, all players other than the taker must be at least 5 metres from the ball, and the ball must not be played into the circle until it has travelled at least 5 metres (not necessarily in one direction) or been touched by a defender.
• If the taker keeps playing the ball (a self-pass) and no defender has touched it, they may play it any number of times, but it must travel at least 5 metres before they play it into the circle.
• At an attacking free hit within 5 metres of the circle, defenders inside the circle within 5 metres of the free hit may shadow a player taking an immediate self-pass around the inside of the circle, provided they do not play the ball or influence play until it has travelled at least 5 metres or a defender has legitimately touched it. If the attacker does not take it immediately, all other players must be at least 5 metres from the ball.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

Raising the ball (Rule 9.9). Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit, except for a shot at goal. A raised hit is judged on whether it was raised intentionally. It is not an offence to raise the ball unintentionally from a hit, including a free hit, anywhere on the field unless it is dangerous. Raising the ball over an opponent's stick or body on the ground, even within the circle, is permitted unless judged dangerous.

Flicks and scoops. Players may raise the ball with a flick or scoop provided it is not dangerous. A flick or scoop towards an opponent within 5 metres is considered dangerous. An opponent who clearly runs into the shot or the attacker, without attempting to play the ball with their stick, should be penalised for dangerous play.

Receiving a falling raised ball (Rule 9.10). Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until the receiver has touched it. The ball may be intercepted within 5 metres but outside playing distance, provided it is done safely. The initial receiver has a right to the ball; if it is unclear who that is, the team that raised the ball must allow the opponent to receive it.

What changed in the 2026 edition. Previously opponents could not approach within 5 metres until the receiver had received, controlled and brought the ball to the ground. Now they may approach once the receiver has touched the ball, provided the initial 5 metres of space for safe reception was respected, including inside the circle.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

For any offence the offending player may be (Rule 14.1):

• Cautioned, indicated by spoken words.
• Green card: warned and temporarily suspended for 2 minutes of playing time.
• Yellow card: temporarily suspended for a minimum of 5 minutes of playing time.
• Red card: permanently suspended from the current match.

For the duration of each green or yellow card suspension, whether the player is on or off the field, the offending team plays with one fewer player. For each red card the team plays the rest of the match with one fewer player, and the player must leave the field and its surrounding area.

Other points from the Rules:

• A suspended player must stay in a designated place until the umpire who suspended them allows them to resume play, and cannot be substituted during the suspension.
• The suspension can be extended for misconduct while suspended.
• A personal penalty may be awarded in addition to the appropriate penalty.
• A player can receive two green or two yellow cards for different minor offences in a match, although umpires are not encouraged to do so. When an offence that already received a card is repeated, the same card must not be used again and a more severe penalty must be awarded.
• A second yellow card must carry a significantly longer suspension than the first.
• When a player intentionally misbehaves seriously towards a player, umpire or other match official, the red card must be shown immediately.
• Cautions can be given to players in close proximity without stopping the match.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026, Rules 14 and Umpiring Rule 2.3.

A penalty corner is awarded (Rule 12.3):

• for an offence by a defender in the circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal
• 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 the ball
• for an intentional offence by a defender outside the circle but within the 23-metres area they are defending
• for a defender intentionally playing the ball over the back-line (goalkeepers may deflect the ball with their stick, protective equipment or any part of their body in any direction, including over the back-line)
• when the ball becomes lodged in a player's clothing or equipment while in the circle they are defending.

A penalty stroke is awarded instead (Rule 12.4):

• for an offence by a defender in the circle which prevents the probable scoring of a goal
• for an intentional offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who has possession of the ball or an opportunity to play the ball.

Advantage applies: a penalty is awarded only when a player or team has been disadvantaged by an opponent breaking the Rules (Rule 12.1).

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

Taking it (Rule 13.3)

• Time and play are stopped when the penalty corner is awarded and restart when the teams are ready.
• The ball is placed on the back-line inside the circle, at least 10 metres from the goal-post, on whichever side the attacking team prefers.
• An attacker pushes or hits the ball without intentionally raising it, with at least one foot outside the field.
• The other attackers must be on the field, outside the circle, with sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the circle.
• No one other than the taker may be within 5 metres of the ball when it is pushed or hit.
• No more than five defenders, including the goalkeeper, are behind the back-line, with sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the field. The other defenders must be beyond the centre-line.
• Until the ball has been played, no attacker other than the taker may enter the circle, and no defender may cross the centre-line or back-line.
• After playing the ball, the taker must not play it again or approach within playing distance until another player has played it.
• A goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle.
• If the first shot at goal is a hit, the ball must cross the goal-line, or be on a path that would have crossed it, at no more than 460 mm (the height of the backboard) before any deflection. Second and later hits, and flicks, deflections and scoops, may be at any height provided it is not dangerous.
• If a defender within 5 metres of the first shot is struck below the knee, another penalty corner is awarded. If the defender is struck on or above the knee in a normal stance, the shot is judged dangerous and a free hit is awarded to the defending team.

Completed (Rule 13.5) when a goal is scored, a free hit is awarded to the defending team, the ball travels more than 5 metres from the circle, the ball is played over the back-line without a penalty corner being awarded, or a defender commits an offence that does not result in another penalty corner.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

What is allowed (Rule 4.2)

• Field players are recommended to wear a smooth, preferably transparent or single coloured face mask, or a metal grill face mask that follows the contours of the face, when defending a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
• Any hand protection must fit comfortably, without compressing it, into an open-ended box of internal dimensions 290 mm long x 180 mm wide x 110 mm high.
• Body protection, including leg protection or kneepads when defending a penalty corner, is permitted underneath normal playing clothing. Knee pads may be worn outside the socks if they are exactly the same colour as the socks, or black.
• Field players are also recommended to wear shin, ankle and mouth protection.
• Players wearing face masks must not take advantage of the equipment by behaving dangerously towards other players.

After the penalty corner (Rule 13.3 n)

• Field players should remove their penalty corner equipment safely and as soon as they are able to once the penalty corner is completed.
• If there is no suitable opportunity, they can keep wearing it while within the 23-metres area without penalty. They must remove all protective equipment before leaving the 23-metres area, or when the umpire instructs them to.
• A defender still wearing the equipment may pass the ball immediately at a free hit to the defending team in the 23-metres area, but may not take a self-pass while still wearing it.
• If the ball hits discarded equipment, a free hit is awarded if it happens outside the circle. Inside the circle a penalty corner is awarded, unless the action prevents the probable scoring of a goal, in which case a penalty stroke is awarded.
• Throwing equipment so that it strikes an opponent, an umpire or anyone outside the field of play is dangerous and negligent. A yellow card must be given if the person is struck on or above the knee in a normal stance. If it is thrown deliberately at another person, more serious sanctions, including a red card, may apply.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.

Two umpires control a match, and each has primary responsibility for decisions in one half of the field (Rules 11.1 and 11.2). Positioning in the FIH umpiring guidance:

• Each umpire operates mainly in half of the field, with the centre-line to their left.
• The most suitable position is generally ahead of and on the right of the attacking team.
• Between the centre-line and the 23-metres area, stay near your side-line.
• When play is in the 23-metres area or the circle, move further into the field away from the side-lines and, when necessary, into the circle itself.
• For penalty strokes, stand behind and to the right of the player taking the stroke.
• Do not let your positioning interfere with the flow of play, and face the players all the time.

Signals

• Raised ball: hold palms facing each other horizontally in front of the body, with one palm about 150 mm above the other.
• 5 metres distance: extend one arm straight up in the air showing an open hand with all fingers extended.
• Dangerous play: place one forearm diagonally across the chest.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026, Umpiring section.

Ball hits an umpire. Play continues, unless the contact gives one team an advantage. In that case the match is restarted with a bully (Rule 11.8).

Too many players. A team may have a maximum of eleven players on the field at any time (Rule 2.1). If a team has more, time is stopped to correct it.

• If it happened for a very short period and did not materially affect the match, a personal penalty may be awarded against the captain.
• If it materially affected the match, a yellow card must be awarded against the captain.
• Decisions taken before the situation was corrected cannot be changed if time or play has already restarted.
• Time and play restart with a free hit to the opposing team, unless another penalty had been awarded against the offending team immediately before time was stopped, in which case that penalty is taken.

Source: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.