What is a Penalty Corner Shot in Field Hockey?

In the sport of field hockey, occasionally a penalty corner shot will be awarded to a team if their opposing team commits a foul. A penalty corner is given to a team when the opposite team commits an intentional foul with the 25 yard zone. Additionally, it can also be awarded for unintentional fouls that occur with in shooting circle zone. Other reasons that a penalty corner may be awarded are if the ball becomes entangled in a defending players clothing or equipment when they are in their respective circle, or if the defending team plays the ball when it is past the back line.

When a penalty corner shot is given, the defending team is not allowed to have more then five players including the goalie past the back line. All of the other plays must be past the center line. The player who is going to be taking the penalty corner shot must line up with at least one of his or her feet behind the back line. The other players on his or her team are to line up outside of the circle.

The actual penalty corner shot takes place when the player shoots or pushes the ball from its originated spot. The ball must start on the back line, but it cannot be within ten meters of the goal post. However, the attacking team is allowed to decide which side of the goal that they would like to line up on. Players on both teams must give the shooting player a fair amount of room, as they are not allowed to be within five yard of the player.

A goal cannot be scored directly off of a penalty corner shot. Instead, the player taking the penalty shot must hit the ball so that it travels on the ground and into the circle. After the ball enters the circle, the players are allowed to attempt to score a goal. There are different regulations in place about how high off of the ground the ball is allowed to be in order to count as a goal depending on how the original player took the penalty shot, so it is important that players take this into consideration before attempting to score.

Sources:

Planet Field Hockey
Field Hockey Sticks