Hockey Rules

A team consists of up to eleven players. A League match lasts 70 minutes: two times 35 minutes and a rest break in between. This can be shorter at the youth teams and it’s a possibility to have four quarters of 15 minutes. Each score counts for one point. There are no renewals after a tie, but there van be played a shoot-out. After a score in the game and a penalty kick, the teams constantly exchange on the center line.
The game starts with the toss. The team that wins the toss may hit the ball first or choose the ball direction. The first hit is taken from the center line. Two referees are watching the game. The game can start again after it’s stopped by a bully. This means that the ball is put down on the place where the game took place before the interruption by the referees, after which the players first tap the ground with the stick and then tap the stick of the opponent with the flat side of their own stick. The fastest player can play the ball and go on with the game. An important thing to remember is that in this sport a score only counts as the score is made inside the circle and the ball went completely over the goal line.

Rules 
For the use of the stick there are some important rules. You may only play hockey with the flat side of the stick. It’s also intended that there aren’t dangerous situations with the ball, so also the use of the stick must be checked. A normal battle for the ball goes from right to left. In the senior league is it allowed to play the ball above shoulder height, but at the Junior League isn’t this allowed (only to stop de ball as a defender).
Also in the behavior towards the opponent you have pay attention as a hockey player. Grabbing the clothes from your opponent, bothering the opponent with the stick or using your body to get the ball moving isn’t permitted. You may also not use your body to stop the ball, this is also a form of dangerous behavior. The opponent shouldn’t be approached within 5 meters when he or she wants to assume a long high ball.
The goalkeepers must be in addition to these rules also comply with other rules. As a goalkeeper you’re obliged to wear protective equipment that at least consists of head protection, leg protectors (leg guards) and clogs (kickers). They aren’t allowed to get outside their own 23 meters area, except for a penalty corner. The keeper may also stop the ball with his stick, his clothing, his equipment or other body parts. It’s not permitted for the goalkeeper to play the ball when he lies on the ground.
The flying keeper should also have a head protection on and may not go beyond the 23 meters area, but may play without head protection all over the field.