Law 6: Start and Re-start Play

The winner chooses either which goal to attack in the first half or to start the first two quarters with a centre pass.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.1 · recall

Picking the goal leaves the opening centre pass of quarters one and two to the opponents.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.1 · applied

The teams change ends for the second half of the match.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.2 · recall

The third and fourth quarters are started by the team that did not take the opening centre passes.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.3 · recall

After a goal the centre pass goes to the team against which it was scored.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.3 · recall

At a centre pass the ball may be played in any direction; the free hit procedures apply.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.4 · recall

Rule 6.4 (d) borrows the whole free hit procedure for the centre pass, such as the ball being stationary.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.4 · recall

All players except the taker must be in the half that contains the goal they defend, so number 10 is out of position.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.4 · applied

The toss, the winner's choice of goal or centre pass, the other option to the opponents, then the opening centre pass.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.1 · applied

The team that conceded restarts with a centre pass, everyone else in their own half.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rules 6.3, 6.4 · applied

A bully re-starts play when time or play has been stopped for an injury or any other reason and no penalty was awarded.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · recall

A bully is taken near where the ball was, but never within 15 m of the back-line or 5 m of the circle.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · applied

A bully is not taken within 5 metres of the circle.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · recall

The ball is placed between one player from each team, who face each other with the goal they defend to their right.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · recall

Everyone except the two players taking the bully must be at least 5 metres away.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · recall

After the single tap of sticks, either of the two players may play the ball.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · recall

A defender takes a free hit 15 metres in front of the centre of the goal-line.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.6 · recall

Both start with sticks on the ground to the right of the ball, then tap the flat faces together once just over the ball.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · applied

Ball between them, sticks down to the right, one tap over the ball, then play.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.5 · applied

Once the stroke is completed without a goal, play re-starts with a defender's free hit 15 m in front of goal.

Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 6.6 · applied