Field hockey / Rule 11
Umpires
FIH · 2026In short
Control and records · Contact with an official
Control and records
The match is controlled by 2 umpires. Each has primary responsibility for a half and its circle decisions, including goals, penalty corners and strokes. They record goals and cards, ensure the full playing time and signal required stoppages. They must not coach players during the match.
Contact with an official
If the ball hits an umpire or an unauthorised person, play normally continues. If that contact gives a team an advantage, play restarts with a bully. The officials must therefore assess the effect of the contact rather than automatically stopping every accidental collision.
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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