Field hockey / Rule 04
Clothing and equipment
FIH · 2026In short
Safe personal protection · Stick and goalkeeper kit
Safe personal protection
Field players wear matching team clothing and must not wear dangerous equipment. Shin, ankle and mouth protection is recommended. Face masks are recommended when defending a penalty corner or stroke; other use requires the specified medical grounds. Protective equipment never permits dangerous challenges.
Stick and goalkeeper kit
A stick must pass through a 51 mm ring and its bow may not exceed 25 mm. Goalkeepers wear a shirt distinct from both teams and at least headgear, leg guards and kickers. Headgear and hand protectors may be removed when taking a penalty stroke.
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.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗