How do green, yellow and red cards work, and for how long?

Q: How do green, yellow and red cards work, and for how long?

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.

Question

Accepted Answer

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.