Field hockey / Rule 02
Teams and substitutions
FIH · 2026In short
Players and goalkeeper choices · Changing players
Players and goalkeeper choices
Each team may have at most 11 players on the field. It may use a fully equipped goalkeeper or play entirely with field players. In the latter case nobody receives goalkeeper privileges. Switching between these options must happen through a substitution.
Changing players
Rolling substitutions are unlimited, but the outgoing player must leave first. Field players change within 3 m of the centre line. Substitutions are barred from the award until completion of a penalty corner, except for an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper. Suspended players cannot be replaced during their suspension.
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 ↗
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