THE SUMMER HOCKEY LEAGUE

RULES OF PLAY

The Summer Hockey League (hereinafter referred to as “the Tournament”) shall be governed by the following Rules of Play.

1. APPLICATION OF RULES

All matches shall be played in accordance with:

Where a conflict arises, these Competition Rules shall take precedence.

These modifications are introduced to:

2. FIELD OF PLAY AND PITCH LAYOUT

2.1 General

Matches shall be played on half of a standard hockey pitch
The pitch shall be clearly marked prior to play

2.2 Goals

Full-size goals shall be used wherever possible
Goals must be securely anchored and safe

2.3 Shooting Circle

A full 16-yard (14.63m) circle must be marked at each end
Circles may be:

2.4 20-Metre Line / Restart Mark

A designated attacking restart line shall be marked using cones
This line shall be used for:

This setup reflects the standard Extreme 8 pitch configuration

3. TEAM COMPOSITION

3.1 Players on the Pitch

Each team shall consist of:

3.2 Matches Without a Goalkeeper

Teams may elect to play without a goalkeeper
In such cases:
The team shall not have more than 7 outfield players on the pitch at any time

3.3 Minimum Number of Players

A team shall not start or continue a match with fewer than 6 players
If a team falls below this number:
The match may be abandoned at the umpire’s discretion

4. SUBSTITUTIONS

4.1 General

Substitutions shall be rolling and unlimited
Substitutions may occur at any time

4.2 Procedure

All substitutions must take place:

4.3 Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the team to ensure:

Failure to comply may result in:

5. DURATION OF MATCHES

5.1 Match Length

Matches shall be played in two halves of equal duration, or a single shorter period.
Match duration shall be set by the Competition organisers

5.2 Timekeeping

The umpires shall have sole authority over:

5.3 Stoppages

No additional time shall be added for:

Except:
To allow completion of a penalty already awarded

6. START AND RESTART OF PLAY

6.1 Start of Match

Play shall commence with a centre pass

6.2 After a Goal

Play shall restart from the centre
All players must be in their own half

6.3 Free Hits

All free hits shall be taken:

7. SCORING

A goal is scored when:

8. PENALTY CORNER REPLACEMENT — 4 v 3 FREE HIT

In all cases where a penalty corner would normally be awarded, a 4 v 3 free hit shall apply.

8.1 Setup

Ball positioned:

Players:

All remaining players must start in the opposite team’s circle
All players (except the taker) must be 5 metres from the ball

8.2 Execution

The free hit is taken by an attacking player.

Before the ball may enter the circle, one of the following must occur:

If none of these occur:
A free hit shall be awarded to the defending team

8.3 Activation of Play

Once the ball is first played:
All players in the opposite half may enter play

8.4 First Shot Restriction

The first shot at goal following a 4 v 3 free hit shall be subject to the following conditions:

Where the first shot is a hit (including slap hit):
The ball must cross the goal line, or be on a trajectory which would result in it crossing the goal line, at a height of not more than 460mm (backboard height)
This requirement applies regardless of any subsequent deflection

Where the first shot is a push, flick, scoop or drag-flick:
The ball may be raised to any height,
Provided that it is not dangerous, in the opinion of the umpire

8.5 Breach of Rule

If the first shot at goal does not comply with the above:
A free hit shall be awarded to the defending team

8.6 Deflections

After the first shot:
The ball may be raised to any height
Provided that it is not dangerous

8.7 Umpire Interpretation

Umpires must judge:

9. PENALTY STROKES

9.1 Award

A penalty stroke shall be awarded:

9.2 Procedure

Taken from the designated mark
Time shall be stopped
All players must stand outside the designated area
Standard FIH procedure applies

10. UMPIRES

10.1 Appointment

Each match shall be controlled by two umpires

10.2 Authority

Umpires have full authority to:

Their decisions are final.

10.3 Responsibilities

Umpires shall:

This reflects the developmental and safety-focused role of umpires

11. PERSONAL PENALTIES

11.1 Green Card

Suspension: 2 minutes
Player leaves field immediately
Team plays with reduced numbers

11.2 Yellow Card

Suspension: 5–10 minutes (umpire discretion)
Team plays with reduced numbers

11.3 Red Card

Player permanently removed from the match
Team plays with reduced numbers

Minimum sanction:
1 match suspension

Further sanctions may include:

12. PLAYER SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT

12.1 Goalkeeper Equipment

Where a team elects to play with a goalkeeper:
The goalkeeper must wear:

This constitutes the minimum mandatory equipment in accordance with the Rules of Hockey.

The goalkeeper must also wear:

12.2 Additional Goalkeeper Protection

Goalkeepers are permitted to wear additional protective equipment, including:

Provided that:

12.3 Teams Playing Without a Goalkeeper

A team may elect to play without a goalkeeper

In such cases:

12.4 Mandatory Player Equipment (Competition Requirement)

For the purposes of this Competition:
All players must wear:

This requirement is imposed by the Competition in the interest of player safety.

12.5 Responsibility and Liability

It is the responsibility of:

To ensure compliance with equipment requirements.

Umpires may:

Players participate at their own risk, and the organisers accept no liability for injury where mandatory equipment requirements are not adhered to.

13. GENERAL MATCH PROVISIONS

Matches shall proceed within allocated time slots
Teams must comply with umpire instructions at all times

Unsporting behaviour may result in:

14. FINAL AUTHORITY

Any matter not covered within these Rules shall be determined by:

All decisions shall be final.

15. Organisers’ Authority to Amend Rules

The Tournament Organisers reserve the absolute right to amend, modify, or deviate from these Rules at any time and without prior notice.

Such amendments may be made where required to ensure:

All decisions of the Organisers in this regard shall be final and not subject to appeal.