PRYC Youth Field Hockey Rules

Starting Game or Restarting After Goal

• Game starts with a push back from the center midfield spot – each team must be in their respective halves of the field.
• After a goal, the team conceding the goal will restart the game with another push back from the center midfield spot.

Definition of a Goal

• Entire ball must cross all the way over the goal line, not higher than backboard height.
• Can only be scored within the 10-yard scoring zone.

Ties, Overtime, Penalty Shoot-Outs

• Tie scores stand as is. No overtimes or penalty shoot-outs.

No Offsides

• There is no offsides rule in youth field hockey (just like other levels of field hockey).

Basic Rules – Fouls

• Cannot play ball on back/round side of stick (only flat side).
• Cannot use any part of body to stop ball.
• Cannot raise hockey stick above knee level.
• Cannot make bodily contact with opponent (no body checking).
• Cannot make stick contact with opponent’s stick.
• Cannot use body to block opponent from playing ball (no picks or screens).

Restarting Play After Fouls or Ball Out-of-Bounds

• Fouls in Midfield Area (between scoring zones) – opposing team restarts play where foul occurred.
• Foul by Offense in Scoring Zone – defense restarts play just outside of 10-yard scoring zone line from point where foul occurred.
• Foul by Defense in Scoring Zone – offense restarts play just outside of 10-yard scoring zone line from point where foul occurred (no penalty corners).
• Sideline Out-of-Bounds – opposing team restarts play on sideline where the ball went out of bounds.
• End Line Out-of-Bounds by Defense – offense restarts play just outside of 10-yard scoring zone line from point where the ball went out of bounds.
• Only the player restarting the ball is allowed on the ball. ALL other players on both teams must by four yards away from ball (measured as 4 to 5 giant steps).