Field hockey / Rule 07
Ball out of play
FIH · 2026In short
Touchline restart · Back-line decisions
Touchline restart
The ball is out only after crossing a boundary completely. At the side-line, the opponents of the last team to touch it restart where it crossed, using free-hit procedures. A ball touching the line has not yet gone out of play.
Back-line decisions
After an attacker sends it over the back-line, the defence restarts up to 15 m forward, aligned with the exit point. An unintentional defensive touch or goalkeeper deflection leads to an attacking restart on the 23-metre line. A deliberate defensive exit brings a penalty corner, except a goalkeeper deflection.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent summaries of the supplied FIH Rules of Hockey, effective 1 March 2026, for outdoor eleven-a-side hockey. Competition regulations and national implementation can differ. References use PDF pages.
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Sources & approach ↗