As a goalkeeper do you know the FIH Rules that apply specifically to you or as a coach training a new goalkeeper are you familiar with the specific FIH Rules that apply to goalkeeping? The following represents an unpacking of the FIH Rules that apply to goalkeepers specifically. Test your knowledge by reading and discerning what you did know and what you have now learnt.
We begin with the definition of a goalkeeper, i.e., one of the participants of each team on the field who wears protective equipment comprised of at least headgear and who thereby has the privileges of a goalkeeper.
Conduct of play: goalkeepers and players with goalkeeping privileges
10.1 A goalkeeper who wears protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards and kickers must not take part in the match outside the 23 metres area they are defending, except when taking a penalty stroke. Protective headgear must be worn by a goalkeeper at all times, except when taking a penalty stroke.
10.2 A player with goalkeeping privileges must not take part in the match outside the 23 metres area they are defending when wearing the protective headgear but may remove the headgear and take part in the match anywhere on the field. Protective headgear must be worn by a player with goalkeeping privileges when defending a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
10.3 When the ball is inside the circle they are defending and they have their stick in their hand: a goalkeepers wearing full protective equipment are permitted to use their stick, feet, kickers, legs or leg guards to propel the ball and to use their stick, feet, kickers, legs, leg guards or any other part of their body 28 to stop the ball or deflect it in any direction including over the back-line Goalkeepers are not permitted to conduct themselves in a manner which is dangerous to other players by taking advantage of the protective equipment they wear. b players with goalkeeping privileges are permitted to use their stick, feet and legs to propel the ball and to use their stick, feet, legs or any other part of their body to stop the ball or deflect it in any direction including over the back-line c goalkeepers wearing full protective equipment and players with goalkeeping privileges are permitted to use arms, hands and any other part of their body to push the ball away. The action in rule c above is permitted only as part of a goal saving action or to move the ball away from the possibility of a goal scoring action by opponents. It does not permit a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges to propel the ball forcefully with arms, hands or body so that it travels a long distance.
10.4 Goalkeepers or players with goalkeeping privileges must not lie on the ball.
10.5 When the ball is outside the circle they are defending, goalkeepers or players with goalkeeping privileges are only permitted to play the ball with their stick. A player with goalkeeping privileges is considered to be a field player when outside the circle they are defending
Taking a Penalty corner
13.3 f. not more than five defenders, including the goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges if there is one, must be positioned behind the back-line with their sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the field If the team defending a penalty corner has chosen to play only with field players, none of the defenders referred to above has goalkeeping privileges.
13.7 d. a goalkeeper, or player with goalkeeping privileges, crosses the goal-line before permitted, the defending team defends the penalty corner with one fewer player: the penalty corner is taken again The defending team nominates which player is required to go beyond the centre-line, and they cannot be replaced by another defender If a goalkeeper, or player with goalkeeping privileges, at this or any subsequently re-taken penalty corner crosses the goal-line before permitted, the defending team is required to nominate a further player to go beyond the centreline, and they cannot be replaced
Taking a Penalty Stroke
13.8 f. if the player defending the stroke is a goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges, they must wear protective headgear; if the player defending the stroke is otherwise taking part in the game as a field 39 player, they may wear only a face mask as protective equipment If the team defending a penalty stroke has chosen to play only with field players and not to use a substitute goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges to defend the penalty stroke, the defender may only use their stick to make a save.
13.9 The penalty stroke is completed when
- the ball comes to rest inside the circle, lodges in the goalkeeper’s equipment, is caught by the goalkeeper or player with goalkeeping privileges, or goes outside the circle.
13.10 For an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke
- for any offence by the player defending the stroke including moving either foot before the ball has been played: the penalty stroke is taken again If the player defending the stroke prevents a goal being scored but moves either foot before the ball has been played, this player may be warned (green card) and for any subsequent offence must be suspended (yellow card). If a goal is scored even though there has been an offence by the player defending the stroke, the goal is awarded. e for an offence by a player of the defending team and a goal is not scored: the penalty stroke is taken again
4 Goalkeeper’s equipment
4.1 Hand protectors : a each have a maximum width of 228 mm and length of 355 mm when laid flat, palm upwards b must not have any additions to retain the stick when the stick is not held in the hand.
4.2 Leg guards : each have a maximum width of 300 mm when on the leg of the goalkeeper. The dimensions of goalkeeper’s hand protectors and leg guards are measured using gauges with the relevant internal dimensions.
How did you go? – 100% Well done!
Source: Rules of Hockey FIH from 1 January 2015
