Penalty Corner (field Hockey) - History

History

The Penalty Corner was introduced in 1908 for offences by defenders in the circle. At a penalty corner, the Rules required the ball to be stopped before a shot at goal but this was not umpired rigorously; all defenders were behind the goal-line with attacking players outside the circle.

In 1949 deliberate offences by defenders within the 25 yards area and persistent offences by defenders at corners were penalized by a penalty corner.

From 1961 at penalty corners and for long corners, a maximum of six defenders were to be behind the back line with the remainder of the defending team at the 25 yards line.

In 1975 with the publication of the first common Rule book for men and women further changes were made. The ball now had to be stopped dead by an attacker before a shot at goal; there was to be no latitude.

1987 saw a further reduction in the number of defenders behind the back line from six to five. This year also saw the introduction of a height limit on the first hit at goal, the ball should not cross the goal-line higher than 18 inches and if the ball traveled more than 5 yards outside the circle then the penalty corner rules no longer applied.

1995, following the introduction of rolling substitutes a few years previously, substitution was now allowed at penalty corners and penalty strokes. This led to the introduction of true specialists, brought on just for penalty corners.

In 1996 the stop was moved to outside the circle

From 1997 the rules required the prolongation of play to permit the completion of a penalty corner at half-time and full-time.

1998: Substitutions at penalty corners were no longer permitted except for an injured defending goalkeeper but were still permitted at penalty strokes.

2003: The requirement to stop the ball was removed, instead, the ball was only required to travel outside the circle.