# Law 9: Conduct of Play: Players

Field Hockey · Law 9: Conduct of Play: Players · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/fr/field-hockey/laws/law-9-conduct-of-play-players/)

Fair play, the stick, contact, dangerous play, raised and aerial balls, the ball touching the body, obstruction, tackles and other offences.

## 9.91 Fair Play, the Stick and Contact

Acting fairly, holding the stick, interfering with opponents, the back and the edge of the stick.

### Test 1: Fair play, the stick and contact with opponents

- Players are expected to act fairly and responsibly at all times. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.1)
- Players on the field must hold their stick and must not use it dangerously. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.2)
- Players must not lift their stick over the heads of other players. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.2)
- Players must not touch, handle or interfere with other players or their sticks or clothing. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.3)
- Interfering with an opponent's stick is an offence under Rule 9.3. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.3)
- Players must not intimidate or impede another player. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.4)
- Hitting hard on the forehand with the edge is an offence; the Rule does not bar the backhand edge. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.6)
- Players must not play the ball with the back of the stick, the rounded side. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.5)
- Interfering with clothing is an offence, penalised with a free hit to the other team. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rules 9.3, 12.2)
- An offence by a defender in the circle that does not prevent a probable goal gives a penalty corner; an intentional one against a player with the ball would give a penalty stroke. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rules 9.3, 12.3)

## 9.92 Dangerous Play and Raised Balls

Playing the ball at any height, dangerous play and raising the ball from a hit, flick or scoop.

### Test 1: Dangerous play and raised balls

- The ball may be stopped, received, deflected or played at any height, including above the shoulder, in a controlled way unless it is dangerous. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.7)
- A ball is also dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by an opponent. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.8)
- Under the 2027 wording, the offence is placed where the danger arises. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.8)
- This is the 2027 exception: a free hit is awarded outside the circle at the place of the deflection. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.8)
- Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except for a shot at goal. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.9)
- Raising the ball unintentionally from a hit, free hits included, is not an offence unless it is dangerous. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.9)
- Raising the ball over an opponent's stick or body on the ground is permitted, even in the circle, unless dangerous. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.9)
- A flick or scoop towards an opponent within 5 metres is considered dangerous. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.9)
- Rule 9.8 moves the re-start back to where the defender touched the ball, outside the circle. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.8)
- Intentionally raising the ball from a hit, other than a shot at goal, is an offence. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.9)

## 9.93 Aerial Balls and the Body

Receiving a falling raised ball, the 5 m rule and the ball touching a field player's body.

### Test 1: Aerial balls and the ball touching the body

- Opponents must not come within 5 metres of a player receiving a falling raised ball. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- The ball may be intercepted within 5 metres but outside playing distance, provided it is done safely. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- The initial receiver has a right to the ball. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- If the initial receiver is unclear, the player of the team that raised the ball must let the opponent receive it. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- It is not always an offence if the ball touches a field player's body; only gaining an advantage or setting up to stop it so is penalised. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.11)
- It is not an offence if the ball touches the hand holding the stick but would otherwise have touched the stick. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.11)
- A player offends if they gain an advantage or position themselves intending to stop the ball with the body. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.11)
- Since the 2026 change, opponents may approach once the receiver has touched the ball, the first 5 metres having been respected. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- Opponents keep 5 metres away until the receiver has touched the ball. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.10)
- Stopping the ball with the body on purpose is an offence, penalised by a free hit. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rules 9.11, 12.2)

## 9.94 Obstruction, Tackles and More

Obstruction, tackling, running behind the goal, changing sticks and loose objects.

### Test 1: Obstruction, tackles and other offences

- Players obstruct if they back into an opponent, physically interfere with them, or shield the ball from a legitimate tackle. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.12)
- A stationary player receiving the ball is permitted to face any direction. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.12)
- Players must not tackle unless they are in a position to play the ball without body contact. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.13)
- Reckless play such as sliding tackles that bring an opponent down should attract match and personal penalties. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.13)
- Players must not intentionally enter the goal their opponents defend or run behind either goal. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.14)
- Sticks may not be changed then unless the stick no longer meets the specification. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.15)
- If the ball touches a loose object on the field that was not thrown by a player, play continues (Rule 13.3 n aside). (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.16)
- Running in front of or blocking an opponent to stop them playing the ball is third-party (shadow) obstruction. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.12)
- Third-party obstruction is penalised with a free hit to the other team. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rules 9.12, 12.2)
- A broken stick falls outside the specification, which is the one case where a change is allowed. (Source: FIH Rules 2027, Rule 9.15)

Sources: FIH Rules of Hockey, 2027 edition in force from 1 November 2026, Rule 9 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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