Penalty Corner (field Hockey) - Procedure

Procedure

A penalty corner is awarded when:

  • a defending player (i.e. a player on the team without possession of the ball) commits an offence in their shooting circle which does not prevent the probable scoring of a goal
  • a defending player commits an intentional offence in their shooting circle against an opponent who does not have possession of the ball or an opportunity to play the ball
  • a defending player commits an intentional offence outside the circle but within the 23-metre (25-yard) area they are defending
  • a defending player, other than a goalkeeper, intentionally plays the ball over the back-line by a defender (if a goalkeeper deflects the ball over the back line intentionally, a long corner is awarded to the attacking team)
  • the ball becomes lodged in a player's clothing or equipment while in the circle they are defending.

An umpire signals a penalty corner by pointing both arms horizontally towards the respective goal.

When a penalty corner is awarded, a maximum of five defending players (including the goalkeeper) line up behind the back line either in the goal or within 5 metres of the nearest goal post. All other players on the defending team must be behind the centre line. One attacking player places themselves on the back line with the ball, 10 metres from the nearest goal post on either side of the goal. The remainder of the attacking team players place themselves on the field outside of the shooting circle. All players other than the attacking player on the back line must not have any part of their body or stick touch the ground inside the circle or over the centre line until the ball is in play. The attacking player on the back line is allowed one foot within the circle, but the other foot must remain behind the back line. If any player enters the circle or crosses the centre line prematurely, or the attacking player on the back line does not have one foot outside the circle, the penalty corner is reset and taken again.

When the attacking player on the back line pushes the ball into play, the players may then enter the shooting circle or cross the centre line. Before a shot on goal can be taken, the ball must first travel outside the circle. In a typical penalty corner, the attacking player on the back line will push the ball to a player at the top of the circle who will stop the ball just outside the circle. Another player will take the stopped ball and push or drag it back into the circle before attempting to shoot at goal (as per normal rules, the ball must be last played by an attacking player within the shooting circle for a goal to count).

If the first attempt at goal in a penalty corner is hit, as opposed to a flick, scoop or push, the ball must be no higher than the backboard in the goal (460 mm/18 in) when it crosses the goal line, for the goal to count. If the ball raises above 460 mm in its flight, provided it does not constitute dangerous play and drops below 460 mm under its own accord (i.e. with no interference from the goalkeeper or defenders) before crossing the goal line it is still counted as a goal. Flicks, scoops, pushes, and hits on second and subsequent attempts at goal may cross the goal line over 460 mm, provided it does not constitute dangerous play.

The penalty corner ends when a goal is scored, the ball is played over the back line and another penalty corner is not awarded, a penalty stroke is awarded, the defending team is awarded a free hit, or the ball travels more 5 metres outside the circle (i.e. beyond the dotted line outside the shooting circle). If the penalty corner was awarded on half or full time, then the ball only has to travel outside the circle for the second time for the penalty corner (and the half) to end.

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