Field Hockey Rules Interpretations - 2025
Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2025
2025 NFHS Field Hockey Rule Book Corrections:
Page 10, 1-5-1f: The home team shall wear solid knee-length white contrasting dark-colored socks/sock guards (not rolled down), and the visiting team shall wear solid knee-length contrasting dark white-colored socks/sock guards (not rolled down).
Page 13, 1-6-5c: A wire-caged face mask that is smooth and rounded may be worn for defending penalty corners. Players shall remove the wire-caged mask at the completion of the penalty corner. If no suitable opportunity to remove the mask arises, the player may continue wearing it within the 25-yard area. Should a player cross the 25-yard line while still wearing the wire-caged mask, the umpire shall stop play immediately and award a free hit to the opponent at the 25-yard line. All standard provisions governing a free hit within the 25-yard area shall apply in this situation.
Page 47, 10-2-11: Substitutions may occur immediately following the insertion from the end line at the completion of the penalty corner. A suspended player returning to the game when a penalty corner has been awarded must follow the substitution rules may only do so after the ball has been put into play by the inserter.
SITUATION 1: A player continues to wear a wire-caged penalty corner mask after play has transitioned beyond the 25-yard line. The official stops play and assesses a player misconduct penalty. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: While wire-caged masks are permitted during penalty corners, players must remove them once play exits the 25-yard area. Failure to do so constitutes improper equipment use and is penalized accordingly. (1-5 PENALTY, 2-1-6)
SITUATION 2: During a penalty corner, the attacking team commits a foul inside the circle, and a free hit is awarded to the defense. The defender continues to wear a wire-caged mask during the restart. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The updated rule allows wire-caged masks to be worn anytime play is occurring within the 25-yard area, regardless of restart type. However, during the pregame captain’s meeting, officials are encouraged to inform teams that in the event of a stoppage prior to the conclusion of the penalty corner sequence, players may be asked to remove the mask for safety and game flow purposes. (1-6-5c)
SITUATION 3: The inserter is issued a green card for an extended delay in putting the ball in play prior to a penalty corner. The penalty corner is not canceled or reset. Play resumes with the awarded penalty corner after addressing the misconduct. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Carding the offending player for delay does not negate the penalty corner. Officials may use this action to reinforce time management without altering the restart decision. (8-1v)
SITUATION 4: During live play, the official notices that Team B’s goalkeeper is not wearing the required throat protector. The official stops the game and informs the coach that the goalkeeper must be properly equipped to continue. The coach does not have a throat protector readily available and is unable to correct the issue immediately. The official stops the game and allows the team to either properly equip the goalkeeper or substitute with a fully equipped alternate goalkeeper. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: All goalkeepers must wear the required protective equipment, including a throat protector, at all times. If the team cannot provide a properly equipped goalkeeper, the game shall be forfeited. Player safety is paramount. Officials are encouraged to check goalkeeper equipment during pregame to help avoid this situation. (1-8 PENALTY)
SITUATION 5: Before the start of the game the official notices that the goalkeeper for Team A is wearing a uniform without a number. The official asks the coach if numbers can be added or if the team has a goalkeeper uniform top that meets the rules. If not, the officials allow the game to be played and notify the state association. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: If a goalkeeper is suspended for a uniform violation, the coach must substitute by removing one field player; however, the non-compliant goalkeeper may remain in the game. (1-8-1, 8 2 1 PENALTY 2)
SITUATION 6: The visiting team arrives at the game wearing white uniforms and the home team is wearing dark uniforms. The official proceeds with the game as normal. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The home team now wears single solid dark-colored uniform tops, and the visiting team wears white. Any undershirts must match these color assignments. (1-5-1b)
SITUATION 7: A penalty stroke is awarded to the home team as time expires in the game and the visiting team is ahead by three goals. The official blows the whistle and signals the game as complete. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The game continues to allow completion of the penalty stroke unless the outcome (e.g., the goal) cannot affect the game. (11-2-7)