Umpire's Guide to SA Hockey Association Outdoor Hockey Senior 2027

FIH Rule 5.1 default: four quarters of 15 minutes, 2-minute breaks after quarters 1 and 3, and a 10-minute half-time. Both teams may agree other timings, unless the competition's regulations set them. Regulations can also change the rules on stopping time after a goal or corner, and suspension lengths.

Time and play stop:

• when a goal is scored (Rule 8.2), restarting when the teams are ready;
• on the award of a penalty corner (13.3 a), and again for a retaken or new corner;
• when a penalty stroke is awarded (13.7 a);
• to issue a personal penalty (card);
• at a team's request, for a goalkeeper substitution;
• for injury or any other reason the umpires decide.

Not stopped: for ordinary substitutions.

End of quarters:

• The quarter is extended to finish a penalty corner, and any further corner or stroke from it.
• If time runs out just before you'd have made a decision, you may still make it straight after the quarter ends.
• An incident just before the end that needs review may still be reviewed and corrected straight away.

Result (5.2): the team with more goals wins; otherwise it's a draw. Shoot-outs come from tournament regulations, not the Rules.

Domestic SA competitions may set their own match lengths in their regulations.

Team (FIH Terminology and Rule 2): up to 16 people: 11 on the field and up to 5 substitutes, unless regulations vary it. Each team plays with a goalkeeper (different-coloured shirt, at least headgear, leg guards and kickers) or with field players only.

Substitutions (Rule 2.3):

• Unlimited, any number at once, at any time, except from the award of a penalty corner until it's completed. During a corner, only an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper may be substituted (by another goalkeeper or a field player).
• The player leaving must be off the field first. Players leave and enter within 3 m of the centre-line on the team bench side.
• No substitute for a suspended player during the suspension. After it, the player may be substituted without returning first.
• Time isn't stopped for substitutions.

Goalkeeper substitutions (revised for 2027):

• Time no longer has to be stopped. A goalkeeper may leave during play and be replaced, including by a field player, through the substitution area like anyone else.
• A team may still ask for time to be stopped for a goalkeeper substitution (and regulations may require that request). Time isn't extended for putting on or taking off kit.
• Only when time is stopped may a goalkeeper replaced by a field player leave near their own goal, and they must go straight to the team bench.

Too many players (Rule 2.1):

• Stop time to correct it. If it materially affected the match, the captain must get a yellow card.
• Decisions already made can't be changed once play has restarted. Restart with a free hit to the opponents, unless a penalty had just been awarded against the offending team.

Injured or bleeding players (2.7) must leave the field (unless medically unsafe) and can't return until wounds are covered and blood-stained clothing is changed.

When a free hit is given (FIH Rule 12.2): to the opponents for an offence by any player between the 23-metre areas; by an attacker inside the 23-metre area they're attacking; or an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but inside their own 23-metre area.

Where (13.1):

• Close to the offence: within playing distance, with no significant advantage gained. Be more precise inside the 23-metre area.
• A defence free hit within 15 m of the back-line may be taken up to 15 m out, in line with the offence, parallel to the side-line. One awarded in the circle may be taken anywhere in the circle.

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

• Ball stationary. Moved with a hit, push, flick or scoop. It may be raised straight away with a push, flick or scoop, but not intentionally with a hit.
• Opponents at least 5 m away. One inside 5 m must not interfere or try to play the ball; if they're not influencing play, the free hit needn't be delayed.
• Clarified for 2027: an opponent who was inside 5 m when the free hit was taken must not play or try to play the ball until they're 5 m away, or the ball has travelled 5 m or been touched by a defender who can legitimately play it. The offence is where they interfere.
• Attacking free hit inside the 23-metre area: all players except the taker, attackers included, must be 5 m away (except the shadowing rule within 5 m of the circle).

Ball out of play (Rule 7):

• Over the side-line: restart where it crossed.
• Over the back-line off an attacker: up to 15 m from the back-line, in line with where it crossed.
• Unintentionally off a defender, or deflected by a goalkeeper: on the 23-metre line in line with where it crossed.
• Intentionally off a defender: penalty corner.

FIH Rule 13.2 d and f (wording simplified for 2027). The player taking a free hit may keep playing the ball themselves (a self-pass).

Attacking free hit inside the 23-metre area:

• The ball must not enter the circle until it has been played by an attacker after travelling at least 5 m (not necessarily in one direction), or been touched by a defender.
• On a self-pass, the taker may play the ball any number of times, but it must travel 5 m before they play it into the circle.
• Once a defender has touched it, the restriction ends and the ball may enter the circle.
• The ball may be lifted high over the circle to land outside it, unless that's dangerous or another player can legitimately play it in or above the circle during its flight.
• A breach is treated as happening where the ball enters the circle.

Free hit within 5 m of the circle:

• Taken immediately: defenders inside the circle within 5 m may shadow the self-passing player around the inside of the circle, but must not play, try to play or interfere until the ball has travelled 5 m or been touched by a defender who can legitimately play it.
• Not taken immediately: everyone else must be 5 m away before it's taken.

Ball must be stationary (13.2 a): FIH says umpires are often too lenient, especially on quick self-passes. There must be a clear, visible attempt to stop the ball.

Raising the ball (FIH Rule 9.9):

• Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit, except for a shot at goal. Judge it purely on intent: an unintentionally raised hit (including from a free hit) is fine unless dangerous, even over an opponent's stick or body on the ground in the circle.
• Raising with a flick or scoop is allowed unless dangerous. A flick or scoop towards an opponent within 5 m is dangerous.
• A player clearly running into the shot or the attacker without trying to play the ball with the stick is penalised for dangerous play.

Playing a high ball (9.7): players may stop, receive, deflect or play the ball in a controlled way at any height, including above the shoulder, unless it's dangerous or leads to danger.

Aerial ball (9.10):

• Opponents must not come within 5 m of a player receiving a falling raised ball until the receiver has touched it.
• The ball may be intercepted inside 5 m but outside playing distance, if done safely.
• The initial receiver has the right to the ball. If it isn't clear who that is, the player from the team that raised it must let the opponent receive it.
• FIH asks umpires to make sure aerials can be received safely, and to blow early if the ball is dropping into a crowd of players.

Where the penalty goes (9.8, clarified for 2027): a dangerous ball is penalised where the danger arises. Exception: if a defender deflects the ball outside their circle and it then endangers an attacker inside the circle, give a free hit outside the circle where it was deflected.

Obstruction (FIH Rule 9.12): players must not obstruct an opponent who is trying to play the ball. A player obstructs if they:

• back into an opponent;
• physically interfere with an opponent's stick or body;
• shield the ball from a legitimate tackle with their stick or any part of their body.

Allowed:

• A stationary player receiving the ball may face any direction.
• A player with the ball may move off in any direction, except bodily into an opponent or into a position between the ball and an opponent within playing distance who is trying to play it.

Third-party (shadow) obstruction: running in front of or blocking an opponent to stop them legitimately playing the ball. This includes attackers running across or blocking defenders (including the goalkeeper) at a penalty corner.

FIH's 2027 emphasis: penalise shielding the ball with the stick more strictly, but only clear cases. Don't penalise legitimate dribbling where the player stays in contact with and controls the ball. Also watch for tacklers who push or lean on an opponent to win the ball.

Tackling (Rule 9.13): players must not tackle unless they can play the ball without body contact. Reckless play, such as sliding tackles and overly physical challenges that take an opponent to ground with potential to injure, should get match and personal penalties.

Related: no touching, handling or interfering with opponents, their sticks or clothing (9.3), and no intimidating or impeding (9.4).

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 inside their own 23-metre area;
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 stick, protective equipment or body;
5. when the ball lodges in a player's clothing or equipment in the circle they're defending.

Compare:

• An unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle but inside their 23-metre area is a free hit to the attack (12.2 c).
• An offence in the circle that prevents a probable goal, or an intentional offence against a player who has the ball or a chance to play it, is a penalty stroke (12.4).
• An unintentional ball over the back-line by a defender, or a goalkeeper's deflection, restarts on the 23-metre line in line with where it went out (7.4 b).

FIH asks umpires not to hesitate to award a corner when it's clear a defender played the ball over the back-line on purpose.

FIH Rule 13.3-13.6 (2027):

• Time stops on the award. Teams should be in position with kit on without delay, as a guide within 40 seconds (new for 2027; competitions may use a 40-second countdown clock).
• Ball: on the back-line inside the circle, at least 10 m from the goal-post, on whichever side the attack chooses.
• Injector: at least one foot outside the field; pushes or hits the ball immediately after the start, without intentionally raising it; must not play it again or come within playing distance until another player has.
• Other attackers: on the field, outside the circle, with sticks, hands and feet off the ground inside it.
• Defenders: no more than five (including the goalkeeper) behind the back-line, the rest beyond the centre-line. Nobody but the injector within 5 m of the ball.
• Before scoring, the ball must travel outside the circle.
• First shot a hit: must cross the goal-line at no more than 460 mm (backboard height), or be on course to, before any deflection, even if it touched a defender first. Flicks, scoops, deflections and later hits may be any height if not dangerous.
• Danger: a defender within 5 m hit below the knee by the first shot: another corner. On or above the knee in a normal stance: dangerous, free hit to the defence. A defender running into the shot without trying to play it with the stick is penalised.

Early breaks (13.6):

• Injector without a foot outside: retake.
• Injector plays early, doesn't play immediately or feints: injector goes beyond the centre-line, replaced by another attacker; retake.
• Defender (not the goalkeeper) crosses the back-line early: that defender goes beyond the centre-line and isn't replaced; retake. Crossing the centre-line early: retake.
• Goalkeeper crosses early: the defence nominates a player to go beyond the centre-line; retake.
• Attacker enters the circle early: the injector goes beyond the centre-line; retake.

Completed (13.5) when: a goal is scored; the defence gets a free hit; the ball goes more than 5 m outside the circle; it goes over the back-line without another corner; a defender offends without another corner; a stroke is awarded; or a bully is awarded (new: a bully now completes the corner instead of a retake). Quarters are extended to complete corners.

Allowed (FIH Rule 4.2):

• Face mask (strongly recommended when defending a corner or stroke): smooth, preferably transparent or one colour, or a metal grill mask that follows the face. Protective headgear isn't allowed at any other time, except for assessed medical reasons.
• Knee pads and leg protection when defending a corner. Knee pads worn outside the socks must be exactly the sock colour or black.
• Hand protection that fits, without compressing, into an open-ended box 290 x 180 x 110 mm.
• Players must not use their protection to play dangerously.

Taking it off (Rule 13.3 n, revised for 2027):

• Remove it safely and as soon as possible after the corner is completed. Removing it before completion is allowed if done safely, but not recommended.
• If there's no suitable chance, players may keep it on, but must not take part in play outside the 23-metre area they're defending while wearing it. (The offence is now playing while wearing it, not simply leaving the 23-metre area.)
• When the attack plays the ball over the back-line or side-line, or the defence gets a free hit, defenders still wearing kit must remove it. The only exception: a player may immediately pass while wearing it, from within their defending 23-metre area. After that, nobody wearing the kit may play until it's off.
• Breach: free hit to the opponents outside the circle, penalty corner inside it (or a more severe penalty if the action deserves it).
• Ball hits discarded kit: free hit outside the circle; penalty corner inside it, or a penalty stroke if it prevents a probable goal.
• Thrown kit that hits an opponent, an umpire or anyone off the field on or above the knee (normal stance): the thrower must get a yellow card. Restart with a free hit if the ball was outside the circle, or a penalty corner (stroke if Rule 12.4 applies) if inside.

Awarded (FIH Rule 12.4):

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

Taking it (Rule 13.7):

• Time and play stop.
• All other players stand outside the 23-metre area and must not influence the stroke.
• The ball is on the penalty spot (6.40 m from the goal-line). The taker stands behind it, within playing distance.
• The defender stands with both feet on the goal-line and must not leave it or move either foot until the ball is played. A goalkeeper must wear headgear; a field player defending it may wear only a face mask (and, if the team is playing without a goalkeeper, may only save with the stick).
• Blow the whistle when both are ready. The taker must not feint, must push, flick or scoop (no dragging), may raise it to any height, plays it once only, and must not then approach the ball or defender.

Completed (13.8) when a goal is scored, or the ball stops in the circle, lodges in or is caught by the goalkeeper, or leaves the circle. If no goal, restart with a defence free hit 15 m in front of the centre of the goal-line.

Offences (13.9):

• Taken before the whistle and scores: retake. Before the whistle and misses: defence free hit.
• Other offence by the taker: defence free hit.
• Defender offence (including moving a foot early): retake; if a goal is scored anyway, award it. A defender who moves early and saves it may be cautioned, then must get a green card for a repeat.

FIH Rule 14 (2027). For any offence, a player or team official may be:

New for 2027:

• No second card of the same colour. A player or team official who has already had a personal penalty must get a higher-category one for the next carded offence. The exception is a card for a team offence (for example the captain carded under Rule 2.1 or 3.4), which doesn't count.
• Yellow card length: use 5 minutes for a minor offence and 10 minutes for a more serious or physical one. National associations may vary suspension lengths, for example in youth hockey with shorter matches.
• Team officials can now be carded. A green- or yellow-carded team official means the team plays one player short for the suspension.
• Misconduct while suspended must get a higher-category penalty. The new suspension starts fresh; the remaining time of the earlier one isn't added. The exception: a 5-minute yellow may be extended to 10 minutes, with the extra 5 added to the time left.

During a suspension: the player or official stays in the designated place, must not coach, shout or do any team duties, and may rejoin the team at a quarter or half-time interval before going back. The suspension starts when they're seated. Players return within 3 m of the centre-line, unless substituted.

Red card: the person leaves the field and its surrounding area, and the team plays a player short for the rest of the match. Show it immediately for serious intentional misbehaviour towards a player or official.