2003 NCAA Field Hockey
Rules Modifications

FIH Rules of Hockey

[Note:  Changes are in bold letters]

The NCAA Division I, II and III Field Hockey Championships will be conducted according to International Field Hockey rules and the NCAA rules modifications:

NCAA RULES MODIFICATIONS

1.             On multi-use fields, the 25-yard line must be clearly distinguishable from all other non-field hockey lines.  If the 25-yard line is not clearly distinguishable, six Xs must be marked on the 25-yard line, intersecting the line every 10 yards, with the lines of the Xs being one yard long.

-X---X---X---X---X---X-

Please note that field markings are consistent with current International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules. 

2.             It is permissible for a player to add water in the area of the 10-yard mark (injection area) during a penalty corner provided there is no delay of the game.

3.      Procedures for Substitution.

a.      Each team must have substitution cards, which must be kept at the scorers' table.

b.      Each player must report to the scorers' table.  After reporting, the player will stand in the designated area and hold up the card.  It is recommended the designated area, five yards back from the sideline and five yards either side of the center line, be marked with cones.

c.      The exchange of the card between players at the sideline signifies the substitution has been made and the player may enter the game.

d.      Players exiting the game must return the card to the scorers' table.

e.       Substitution shall be unlimited at all times, including before and during the reduced player overtime, except after the award of a penalty corner when substitution is only permitted for injury to the defending goalkeeper.

f.       On a penalty corner, regular substitution may occur as soon as the ball is played from the back line.

g.              If a timeout is called (by the team in possession) after a penalty corner has been called, during a playing period or any extension to complete a penalty corner, substitution may not take place because the penalty corner is still in effect.  Exception: injury, suspension or disqualification to the defending goalkeeper.

4.      Timeout will be taken after a goal.

5.      Teams will be permitted one timeout per team, per game.  The timeout will be a two-minute timeout to be administered by the umpire.   It can be called after a goal or during a dead-ball situation by the team in possession by the coach or player on the field.  The timeout can be used at any time during regulation and the seven versus seven overtime periods.  At the 1:45 mark of the timeout, a warning signal will be made (by the umpires), and an umpire will notify each coach of the signal.  A second signal will be made at the two-minute mark, and play must be resumed immediately.  If a team delays in getting back out to the field, the captain will be carded for delay of game.

 6.      Halftime.  The length of halftime will be ten minutes with the halftime clock starting immediately at the conclusion of the first half.

 7.      Injury Timeout.  If play is stopped due to a player injury and medical personnel, a trainer or coach comes onto the field to attend to the player, this player must leave the field.  A substitute may take her place.  If the injured player is the goalkeeper, she may remain in the game.

 8.      A suspended game shall be resumed at the point of suspension.  See the Countable Games section in the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Field Hockey Championships Handbooks.

 9.      Tied Games.  The following overtime procedure shall be used when a game is tied at the end of regulation play.

a.      Coin Toss.  A toss of the coin for the first overtime period will determine ball possession or direction of attack.   If a second overtime period is necessary, the team that lost the coin toss will have the choice of ball possession or direction of attack.  The visiting team will call all coin tosses.

b.      All Countable and Championship Games.

[Note:  For selection and ranking purposes, the field hockey committees only will consider games that include two periods of 35 minutes each, with ties played off by using up to two 15-minute sudden victory periods and penalty strokes.]

(1)     A tied game will be broken to determine the winner by playing up to two 15-minute "sudden victory" periods of teams consisting of six field players and a goalkeeper.   All game rules apply with the following modifications:

(a)     On penalty corners, the defending team is permitted to have only four players behind its goal line (goalkeeper and three field players).   The penalty corner will be played out at the end of overtime as it is during regulation play.

(b)     Any player who has been disqualified during regulation play is not eligible for the overtime periods.  A player suspended during regulation play would be eligible at the end of the suspension.  Any player who has not completed a suspension or was disqualified during the overtime periods shall not be eligible for penalty strokes.

(c)           Each team will begin the first overtime with six field players and a goalkeeper unless players were disqualified or have not completed a suspension during any previous playing period.

(d)     The game is completed as soon as a goal has been scored.

There will be a five-minute timeout between the end of regulation and the first overtime period, and a two-minute timeout between the overtime periods.

(2)     If the score remains tied at the end of the second extra period, a series of penalty strokes will be taken.  A coin toss will give a team the choice to attack or de­fend.  Five players from each team shall take a penalty stroke alternately against the same goalkeeper from the opposing team.   The official will address the goalkeeper first and the stroker second.   The team awarded the highest number of goals shall be the winner.   Once the stroke procedure is decisive, the game shall be complete, and no more strokes need to be taken.  The coach will be given a maximum of two minutes to turn in the lineup for penalty strokes.

(3)     In the event of a remaining tie, a second series of penalty strokes will be taken by the same players.  The order may be changed but not the players.  The goalkeeper who defended first in the first set will defend second in the second set.  The team awarded the highest number of goals shall be the winner.

(4)     If no decision is reached after the second series of penalty strokes, a sudden death procedure will be used to break the tie.  There will be a third series of penalty strokes taken by the same group of players; however, once again, the order may be changed.  The goalkeeper who defended first in the first set will defend first in this set.  The first team awarded more goals than its opponent after an equal number of strokes shall be the winner.

(5)     If an overtime game goes into penalty strokes, a total of one goal is awarded for the winner of the set, rather than the total number of goals scored in the set.

10.    Coaching of players who are participating in the game at the time an injury timeout is called is prohibited.  This does not preclude an official from permitting a coach to attend to the injured player.

11.    Coaching of players who are suspended from play is prohibited.   Regulation game player/coach suspensions and disqualifications shall be continued into overtime play.  Carded players should be placed at the scorer’s table on side opposite from her team bench.

12.    Misconduct.  If a coach is red carded and refuses to leave the site of the contest within a reasonable time (three minutes), the game shall be declared ended, and the opposing team shall be awarded the win (score becomes 1-0).  The game shall count.  

         Note:  If the coach's suspension terminates the game, then it will be considered a countable game.

A coach may be carded by a field or table umpire for improper conduct in the same manner as players, except that a coach who is suspended or ejected from the game must leave the playing area.   A red-carded coach should be placed out of sight and sound of the game.  Communication with her team or coaching staff is not permitted for the duration of the game.

Misconduct by personnel, players on the bench and spectators should be brought to the attention of the head coach. If continued misconduct occurs, the head coach will ultimately be held responsible.  It should be noted that use of profane and/or vulgar language, and/or harsh treatment towards opponents or officials by personnel, players on the bench or spectators shall not be tolerated.

13.    A bench area will be designated within which the official party must remain during play.  Coaches are permitted to move on the sideline only in front of their respective benches and from the 50- to the 25-yard line on their bench side or in the bleachers directly behind their designated bench area.  Coaches and players in the bench area must remain behind a clearly marked restraining line (a minimum of five yards from the sideline; if five yards is not available, as close to five yards as possible.)  [Note:  Failure to comply with this rule will be considered misconduct.]  Spectators are not permitted behind the goal area and must be at least 10 yards behind the endline.  They must remain a minimum of five yards from the sideline.

14.    The host will provide the official scorekeeper/statistician at the scorer's table. The visiting team is entitled to a representative at the scorer's table.  At the conclusion of the contest, the official score sheet will be the one recorded by the host team.

15.    Game shirts must have a minimum of three-inch numbers on the front and six-inch numbers on the back.  The numbers must be of a color clearly contrasting with the uniform top.  Striped shirts must have the numbers superimposed on a solid-color block background.   The goalkeeper shall wear a numbered game shirt, which shall be different in color from either team.  Each goalkeeper shall have her own number.

         Effective 2003:  Game shirts, including the body, both sleeves, and both shoulders, shall be predominantly of one light or one dark color.

Team members wearing turtlenecks must wear identical turtlenecks.   Turtlenecks worn by designated home teams must be light (e.g., white turtlenecks with yellow game shirts) and turtlenecks worn by designated away teams must be dark (e.g., black turtlenecks with navy game shirts).   Tights must be identical in color to those worn by teammates.  Hats worn by team members must be consistent with team uniform colors.

         Team members must wear like-colored socks and/or shin guards that cover the back and front of the lower leg (ankle to knee).

16.    Equipment.

   a.   In NCAA championships, players have the option to wear soft headgear.  All protective equipment worn will be subject to game officials' approval.

   b.   All field players are required to wear a mouthguard at all times. [Note:  Failure to comply with this rule will be considered misconduct.]  Mouthguards for goalkeepers are strongly recommended.

c.        Goalkeepers must wear a throat protector and chest protector at all times. 

d.   Goalkeepers are required to wear appropriate protective headgear: a helmet, incorporating fixed full-face protection and cover for the head including the back of the head.

         e.   A player that has been identified as a kicking back must wear a throat protector, helmet as described in Rule No. 16d, and a distinguishing jersey.  In the event of a defensive penalty corner or a stroke, the kicking back must wear a throat protector, chest protector, helmet and distinguishing jersey.        

17.    Visible Clocks:  When a visible clock is being used the time should count down to zero.  The half or period ends on the umpires whistle. 

18.    Blood Rule.

a.   If a player incurs a wound that causes bleeding, the official must stop the game at the earliest possible time and the wound must be evaluated by medical personnel (the person or persons in charge of the team's medical needs).  This will be considered an injury timeout.  (See No. 7).

b.   When a player's uniform or equipment has blood on it (whether it is the player's blood or someone else's blood), the official must stop the game at the earliest possible time to have the uniform or equipment evaluated by medical personnel.  If the team's medical personnel determine that blood has saturated the uniform or equipment, the player must change the bloodied item and play shall resume after a maximum of two minutes.  In this situation, a number change may occur.  This new number must be different from that worn by teammates on the field.  This is not considered an injury timeout.  If saturation has not occurred, the player may continue to wear the uniform or equipment.

Questions regarding interpretations of NCAA rules modifications should be ad­dressed to Jennifer Crispen, head field hockey coach, Sweet Briar College, Box 87, Sweet Briar, Virginia  24595; phone number:  434/381-6338; e-mail: crispen@sbc.edu.  Questions regarding interpretations of international rules should be addressed to Cheryl Bruttomesso, rules committee chair, U.S. Field Hockey, Umpiring Division, 6308 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19144; phone number:   215/849-9527; e-mail:  cbrutto13@aol.com.