Penalty stroke

In field hockey, a penalty stroke, sometimes known as a penalty flick, is the most severe penalty given. It is predominantly awarded when a foul has prevented a certain goal from being scored or for a deliberate infringement by a defender in the penalty circle.^[1]

Awarding a penalty stroke

There are two reasons why a penalty stroke may be awarded:^[2]

For an intentional foul on an attacker who has possession of or opportunity to play the ball in the circle
For a foul in the penalty circle that prevents "the probable scoring of a goal".

Procedure

Upon the awarding of a penalty stroke, time in the match is stopped.^[3] The penalty stroke is between any chosen attacking player and the defensive goalkeeper.^{[nb 1]} The penalty stroke is taken from the penalty spot which is 6.4 metres (7.0 yd) directly in front of the centre of the goal.^[7] Before the penalty stroke is taken, the goalkeeper must be standing with both feet on the goal line and the attacker within playing distance of the ball.^[8] When the umpire blows the whistle, the attacker may play the ball at goal using a "push, flick or scoop" motion.^{[nb 2]}^[9] The attacking player must not feint and can only play the ball once (there is no rebound); the goalkeeper is not permitted to move their feet until the ball is played.^[10] A goal is scored if the ball completely crosses the line. Otherwise, play resumes with a defensive 15 m free-hit. Any infringement by an attacking player during the stroke concludes in the same result, an infringement by a defensive player may result in the penalty stroke being retaken if a goal has not been scored.^[11]

History

The first equivalent penalty in the rules was introduced in 1908 and known as a penalty bully,^[12] a form of bully-off between the offending player and any player from the attacking team. Other players could not take part until the penalty bully was complete and had to remain outside the penalty circle; in 1909 this was revised to remaining beyond the 25-yard line (now known as the 23-metre line). The penalty bully would cease when either a goal had been scored or the ball was played out of the penalty circle or over the back line by the attacker. Play was then resumed with a normal bully-off at the centre of the 25-yard line. If the ball was played over the back line by the defender (outside the goal) then the penalty bully was retaken.^[13]^[14]^[15] A foul during the penalty bully could result in a penalty goal.^[16]

In 1963, the penalty stroke replaced the penalty bully and was awarded for deliberately stopping a certain goal. Then the penalty spot was 8 yards (7.3 m) from goal. In 1973, a stroke could also be awarded for a deliberate foul in the circle. The penalty spot was moved to its current position in 1974.^[12]^[17] Penalty goals could also be awarded for intentional fouls during a penalty stroke until 2009.^[18]

Notes

^ Defensive teams are permitted to play without a normal goalkeeper—either having a player with goalkeeping privileges, sometimes known as a "kicking back", or having no goalkeeper.^[4]^[5] A player with goalkeeping privileges wears protective headgear and can prevent a goal in the same way as a goalkeeper. If there is no goalkeeper, a chosen defensive player must wear a face-mask and is only permitted to prevent a goal with their stick.^[6]
^ The "dragging" motion, or drag-flick, often seen at a penalty corner is not permitted.^[9]

References

^ Marx, Josef; Wagne, Günter (2003). Field Hockey Training: For Young Players. Meyer & Meyer Verlag. pp. 141, 151. ISBN 184126136X.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.29 §12.4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.35 §13.8a. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "FIH release 'The Rules of Hockey 2007/8'". International Hockey Federation. 15 August 2006. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.25–26 §10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.35–36 §13.8f. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.35 §13.8d,e. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ ^a ^b "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.36 §13.8j. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.36 §13.8e,i,k. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ "Rules of Hockey" (PDF). International Hockey Federation. 2012. p.36–37 §13.10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
^ ^a ^b "History of the Rules". International Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
^ "Hockey: Changes in Rules". Wanganui Herald. Vol. XXXXIV, no. 12848. 14 August 1909. p. 6. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ "Hockey: Changes in Rules". Manawatu Standard. Vol. XLI, no. 9221. 25 May 1910. p. 6. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ E. A. C. Thompson (23 February 1929). "Rule 10: Penalty Bully". Malayan Saturday Post. pp. 21–22. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ "Penalty Goal In Unusual Ruling". The Northern Star. 16 June 1947. p. 5. He pointed out that from any breach of the rules by a defender —other than that of the bully rule —in the course of a penalty bully a penalty goal is awarded.
^ "History of hockey". Moorebank Liverpool District Hockey Club. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
^ Rules of Hockey. International Hockey Federation. 2007–2008. §13.7c. for any other offence by the player defending the stroke which prevents a goal being scored: a goal is awarded