1.        6 players per team on the turf at any one time. Children should have the opportunity to experience a variety of positions during the season, with players being taught the roles of each position.

2.        13 minutes each way, 2 minutes for half-time, 2 minutes between games.

3.        Play across ½ of a full sized hockey turf.

4.        Footwear, mouth guards and shin pads must be worn by all players

5.        Standard hockey balls are to be used

6.        The ball may be pushed, slap hit or hit anywhere on the field, including in the circles.  The ball must not be raised above “top of the shin pad” height at any time.

7.        A free hit may be given when;
(a)      the ball is stopped or kicked deliberately by the player’s foot, encourage children to get their feet out of the way
(b)      a player deliberately turns and places their body between the ball and an opposing player who is within playing distance of the ball
(c)      A player interferes with the ball carriers stick (“hacking”)
(d)      For the sake of the flow of the game, when there is no advantage gained as a result of the infringement, umpires should let play continue

8.        Auto pass
The player taking a free hit or centre pass now has the option of passing to another player, or making an auto or self-pass, effectively a tap-and-go action. The opposition must either be back 5m, or if they are not, may not interfere with play

9.        Free hits awarded to the attackers within 5m of the outside the circle must be taken at the point where the infringement occurred, and cannot be hit directly into the circle. The ball must touch another player’s stick before it enters the circle OR if the attacker auto passes the ball must be dribbled 5m before it enters the circle.  All players must be 5m from these free hits or if they are not, they may not interfere with play.

10.      When a free hit is being taken (including sideline hits and each start/restart of play from the halfway), all defending players should be at least 5m away from the ball or retiring. (Umpires may allow advantage to the attacking team if a defender is less than 5m away.)

11.      A player may lift the ball skillfully over an opposing player’s grounded stick in the field, including in the circle or when taking a shot at goal. (Guideline: no higher than the top of the shin pad)

12.      There is no offside

13.      Goals are scored when the ball is played by an attacking player within the circle. An attacker may hit, push or slap hit when shooting for goal.  The ball must not go above backboard height.

14.      Penalty corners are awarded when there is an infringement in the circle by the defending team (including a defender DELIBERATELY hitting the ball over the back line);
(a)      defending team has 3 players behind the goal line and 3 players in the other goal circle
(b)      attacking team stand outside the circle
(c)      ball can be hit or pushed out by an attacker
(d)      ball must travel outside the circle, but does not need to be stopped, before a goal can be scored

15.      A long corner is awarded if a defender ACCIDENTALY puts the ball over the back line. Long corners are taken approximately 20m back from the goal line and in-line with the point at which the ball crossed the goal line and cannot be hit directly into the circle. The ball must touch another player’s stick before it enters the circle OR if the attacker auto passes the ball must be dribbled 5m before it enters the circle.  All players must be 5m from these free hits or if they are not, they may not interfere with play.

16.      If the ball crosses the sideline or pops over the pipe, the opposing team takes a free hit/push at that place.

17.      There are no goalkeepers, and no player is to be appointed to stand in their goal. However, players may run back to defend

18.      Sticks are not to be raised, or used, in a dangerous manner, including lifting them over the heads of other players.