How Free Hits Are Awarded in Field Hockey

Field hockey is very similar to ice hockey. It involves two teams trying to knock an object into the other's goal. It also involves penalty shots to ensure the game is played fairly. However, in this game, these penalty shots are known as free hits. They are awarded by the umpire whenever offenses or fouls are committed outside the scoring circle.

It seems that in a typical game of field hockey, the whistle blows for one offense or another. It seems that more penalty shots are offered than in a game of professional ice hockey. Some fouls include touching the foot, interference, making illegal moves, a goaltender using a body part outside of the circle and rough play.

Whenever minor offenses are done outside of the circle, free hits are awarded to the other team. The team that is awarded the free hit can hit or push the ball in any direction. However, the ball cannot be intentionally lifted. A free hit is awarded anywhere between the 23 meter lines. However, the hits must be awarded outside the scoring circles. The offending team must move 5.5 meters away when the other team gets the free hit. The free hit is taken from the area that offense occurred and the ball must not be moving.

Fouls are major offenses. These include dangerous play, fighting, misconduct and raised sticks. When a foul is committed a 15 meter penalty is awarded. As the 5 meter free hit, this free hit is taken where the foul occurred and the ball must not be moving.

If a ball goes out of bounds, a free hit is awarded. The ball is placed on the line where it went out of play. The player can either try to hit the ball into the goal or pass it to a team member.

Whenever minor offenses occur in the circle, all but the one taking the hit must be 5 meters away from the ball. However, if a foul is committed inside the circle, the team awarded the free hit can take it anywhere within the circle.

After the ball is hit, it goes back into play. Previously, the player who hit the ball could not touch it again. However, when the Mandatory Experiment was introduced this year, the rules did change. For international competition, the player taking the free hit can pass the ball to herself. However, for this to count as a legal play, she has to do this in two separate motions. In other words, she would have to use a combination of two strokes for the play to be legal.

Free hits in field hockey are like the penalty shot awarded in ice hockey. The players, depending on the type of offense must be a set distance away from the player taking the free hit. The further away the offending team is away from the player, the team awarded the free hit gets an advantage since the defense can not move towards the ball until it is hit. The team may get a chance to shot at the goal and score before the defense returns to play. The free hit gives the team a chance to score a much needed goal.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey