Field Hockey · Rules of Hockey
Law 23: Terminology
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown
Law 23 collects the terms the FIH Rules of Hockey 2027 define: deflect, flick, forehand, hit, injector, playing distance, push, scoop and shot at goal. The Rules apply these words in the same sense throughout.
The strokes are told apart by what the stick and ball do. In a push both the ball and the head of the stick are in contact with the ground. A flick is pushing the ball so that it is raised off the ground, and a scoop raises the ball by placing the head of the stick under it and using a lifting movement. A slap, a long pushing or sweeping movement before contact, is included in the definition of a hit. Deflecting is redirecting the ball's path without stopping or taking possession of it.
Other terms describe positions and roles. Forehand is playing a ball which is to the right of the player in a forward direction. The injector is the attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line at a penalty corner. Playing distance is the distance within which a player can reach the ball to play it. A shot at goal is an attempt to score from within the circle, and it counts even if the ball misses, if the intention is to score.
The facts below cover the terms of the game.
23.231Terms of the Game
What the Rules mean by the strokes, the injector, playing distance and a shot at goal.
Test 1The terms of the gameTake a test
Deflecting is redirecting the ball's path without stopping or taking possession of it.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Deflect) · recall
A flick is pushing the ball so that it is raised off the ground.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Flick) · recall
Forehand is playing a ball which is to the right of the player in a forward direction.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Forehand) · recall
A slap, a long pushing or sweeping movement before contact, is included in the definition of a hit.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Hit) · recall
The injector is the attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line at a penalty corner.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Injector) · recall
Playing distance is the distance within which a player can reach the ball to play it.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Playing distance) · recall
It is an attempt to score from within the circle; it counts even if the ball misses, if the intention is to score.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Shot at goal) · recall
A scoop raises the ball by placing the head of the stick under it and using a lifting movement.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Scoop) · applied
In a push both the ball and the head of the stick are in contact with the ground.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Push) · applied
A push keeps ball and stick on the ground, a flick pushes the ball up, a scoop lifts it from underneath.
Source: FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Push, Flick, Scoop) · applied
Questions people ask
- What is a flick in hockey?
- Pushing the ball so that it is raised off the ground.
- What is the difference between a push and a scoop?
- In a push both the ball and the head of the stick are in contact with the ground. A scoop raises the ball by placing the head of the stick under it and using a lifting movement.
- Is a slap a hit?
- Yes. A slap, a long pushing or sweeping movement before contact, is included in the definition of a hit.
- What does deflecting mean?
- Redirecting the ball's path without stopping or taking possession of it.
- Who is the injector?
- The attacker taking the push or hit from the back-line at a penalty corner.
- What is playing distance?
- The distance within which a player can reach the ball to play it.
- What counts as a shot at goal?
- An attempt to score from within the circle. It counts even if the ball misses, if the intention is to score.
- What is forehand in hockey?
- Playing a ball which is to the right of the player in a forward direction.
Sources
FIH Rules of Hockey, 2027 edition in force from 1 November 2026, Terminology (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Deflect)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Flick)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Forehand)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Hit)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Injector)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Playing distance)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Shot at goal)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Scoop)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Push)1
- FIH Rules 2027, Terminology (Push, Flick, Scoop)1