General

• A womens draw starts the match, after half-time and after each goal.
• Pitch markings are that of the womens game.
• Boundaries are used and there is no offside.
• Players must use womens sticks.

Game play

• When the whistle blows, all players must stand still.
• If the ball goes out of bounds, possession goes to the nearest player from the other team. If the ball goes out of bounds from a shot, it is returned to the player closest regardless of their team.
• There is a 5-second rule – when a player receives the ball, they are allowed it in their possession for 5 seconds. On the fifth count, if the ball is still in their stick, this is a foul.
• The ball cannot be intentionally dropped and picked up again to restart the 5-second counter.

Substitutions

• Substitutions are on the fly and can occur at any time during the game except when the whistle is blown to stand still.
• Players must not come on until the player they are replacing has completely left the field.
• Players may come on and off as many times as the wish.

Fouls

Major foul:

• Player must stand 4m behind the person that they fouled, giving them the ball.
• Major fouls in the 11m fan around the goal, a free position is given to the player who was fouled. They must stand on the nearest hash mark on the edge of the arc. The opposite player must stand 4m behind the person that they fouled.

Minor foul:

• Player must stand 1m to the side the person they fouled, in the direction they came.
• Minor fouls in the 11m fan around the goal, the player being fouled is given possession of the ball on the 15m semi-circle around the goal and the player who committed the foul stands 4m to the side they came.

Major fouls

• Barging: A player must not charge/push into an opponent using elbow or body.
• Warding off: A player may not remove one hand from their stick and use it to fend off an opponent.
• Stick contact: A player’s stick must not make contact with their opponent’s body.
• Blocking: A player may not initiate contact by moving into the path of an opponent with the ball, without giving that player a chance to stop or change direction.
• Dangerous shot: Shooting must be controlled, no shooting through players.
• Dangerous propelling: Occurs when a player flicks the ball, either in the air or on the ground without having full control of the ball.
• Three seconds: A defender may not stand within the 11m arc in front of goal for more than 3 seconds unless they are closely marking an opponent (a stick and one arm’s length away).
• Shooting space: A defender may not move into the space between and attacker and the goal when the attacker is going to shoot; the defender must move towards the player, not into their shooting space. This rule is in effect once the player with the ball crosses the 15m line.
• Misconduct: Occurs when a player conducts themselves in a rough, dangerous or unsportsman-like manner, persistently cause an infringement of the rules, or deliberately endangers the safety of opposing players.
• Body ball: If the ball comes off of any part of any player’s body to their own advantage, then possession is given to the opposing team. (This rule does not apply if the player is not being challenged for the ball; no advantage is gained).
• Covering: Occurs when a player puts their stick over the ball to prevent others picking it up.
• Occurs when a player checks an opponent’s stick when they are not in possession of the ball.
• Goal circle fouls: Occurs when any part of an offensive or defensive player’s body or stick, except that of the goalkeeper, enters the goal circle touching the floor – however if a player’s stick remains in the air, it is acceptable. No player, other than the goalie may enter the goal crease.
• If the attacking team enters the goal circle, the ball is given to the goalkeeper, who then has ten seconds to clear the ball the one of their team mates whilst remaining in the goal circle. The goalkeeper may leave the goal circle with the ball, after which, the ten second rule does not apply and the goalkeeper may hold the ball like a normal player (5 seconds). The goalkeeper may not re-enter the goal circle whilst carrying the ball.
• If the defending team enters the goal circle, the attacking team takes possession of the ball on the 15m line, level with the goal.
• If it is unclear which team should be in possession of the ball, then a toss is done. This is when the two players are placed side-by-side, 1m apart. The umpire stands in front of them and throws the ball in-between them, on the whistle the two players both play for the ball.

(Page last updated: 22nd September 2009)