Field Hockey · Rules of Hockey
Law 20: The Ball and the Goalkeeper's Equipment
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown
Law 20 gives the specification of the ball and of the goalkeeper's hand protectors and leg guards in the FIH Rules of Hockey 2027. It sets the limits that keep both safe and fair.
The ball has a circumference of between 224 mm and 235 mm and weighs between 156 g and 163 g. It may be made of any material and is white or an agreed contrasting colour. It is hard with a smooth surface, although indentations are permitted.
For the goalkeeper, each hand protector has a maximum width of 228 mm when laid flat, palm upwards, and must not have any additions to retain the stick when it is not held in the hand. Each leg guard has a maximum width of 300 mm when on the goalkeeper's leg. The maximum length of the hand protector went up from 355 mm to 365 mm so that CE-tested large gloves can also be legal. The dimensions are measured flat, palm up, with gauges of the right internal size.
The facts below cover the ball and the goalkeeper's kit.
20.201The Ball and the Goalkeeper's Kit
The ball's size, weight and surface, and the sizes of the goalkeeper's hand protectors and leg guards.
Test 1The ball and the goalkeeper's equipmentTake a test
The ball has a circumference of between 224 mm and 235 mm.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1 · recall
The ball weighs between 156 g and 163 g.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1 · recall
The ball is made of any material and is white or an agreed contrasting colour.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1 · recall
The ball is hard with a smooth surface, but indentations are permitted.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1 · recall
Each hand protector has a maximum width of 228 mm when laid flat, palm upwards.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.1 · recall
Hand protectors must not have any additions to retain the stick when it is not held in the hand.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.1 · recall
Each leg guard has a maximum width of 300 mm when on the goalkeeper's leg.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.2 · recall
The maximum length went up from 355 mm to 365 mm so that CE-tested large gloves can also be legal.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.1 · applied
228 mm, 235 mm, 300 mm, then 365 mm.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 · applied
The dimensions are measured flat, palm up, with gauges of the right internal size.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.1, 4.2 · applied
Questions people ask
- How big is a hockey ball?
- A circumference of between 224 mm and 235 mm.
- How much does a hockey ball weigh?
- Between 156 g and 163 g.
- What colour is a hockey ball?
- White or an agreed contrasting colour. It may be made of any material.
- Can a hockey ball have dents?
- Yes. It is hard with a smooth surface, but indentations are permitted.
- How wide may a goalkeeper's hand protector be?
- A maximum of 228 mm when laid flat, palm upwards.
- May hand protectors help the goalkeeper hold the stick?
- No. They must not have any additions to retain the stick when it is not held in the hand.
- How wide may leg guards be?
- Each leg guard has a maximum width of 300 mm when on the goalkeeper's leg.
- Why did the maximum length for hand protectors change?
- It went up from 355 mm to 365 mm so that CE-tested large gloves can also be legal.
Sources
FIH Rules of Hockey, 2027 edition in force from 1 November 2026, Field and Equipment Specifications 3-4 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.14
- FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.13
- FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.21
- FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 3.1, 4.1, 4.21
- FIH Rules 2027, Specifications 4.1, 4.21