When can the ball be raised, and how does the aerial ball rule work?

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.