Field hockey / Rule 13
Taking free hits
FIH · 2026In short
Stationary ball and distance · Entering the circle
Stationary ball and distance
The ball must be stationary before the restart; a self-pass is allowed. Opponents must be 5 m away. A nearby opponent who does not interfere need not delay a quick restart. Defensive free hits inside the circle may be taken anywhere in that circle.
Entering the circle
For an attacking free hit inside the 23-metre area, the ball must travel 5 m or touch a defender before entering the circle. A teammate’s touch alone does not remove this condition. For an immediate restart near the circle, nearby defenders inside may shadow without interfering until the conditions are met.
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 ↗