Know About Penalty Corner in Field Hockey Rules

Thousands of people’s eyes moving as twenty-two players playing in a roughly 91 x 56 square yard greenfield. They are passionately manoeuvring with wooden sticks in hand toward a tiny white ball. Their ultimate aim is to hit the ball in a fashion that it crosses the opposing team’s goal line. Yup, you have guessed it right. It’s field hockey we are talking about.

Although it’s said the raw form of hockey first came into inception in Egypt some 6000 years ago, modern hockey emerged in the mid-18th century England. Since then, it has maintained its position as one of the most popular sports in the world.

Like every other sport, hockey has a whole bunch of technical terms and rules. In this article, you will get to know about the penalty corner in detail.

Things You Need to Know About Penalty Corner in Field Hockey Rules

What is A Penalty Corner?

A penalty corner, also known as the short corner, is awarded to the attacking team when a defender fouls the attacking player inside the circle – the 25-yard area encompassing the goal post. And also when a defender hits the ball behind the backline deliberately, match official rewards the attacking team a penalty corner. 

How is it done?

Now that the attacking team is rewarded a penalty corner, it means they are at a certain advantage.  The goal line will be guarded by five defending players, including the goalie. The attacking team member will place the ball at a point on the backline which is not less than 10 yards from the goal post defended by those five players.

The attacking team member will now hit or push the ball while s/he must put her/his one foot completely outside the backline – outside the field. S/he is not allowed to loft the ball intentionally.

What About the Positions of Other Players?

Field hockey corner positions? When a penalty corner is declared, and one of the attacking team’s players is ready to take the shot, all the other defenders except the ones on the goal line must stay outside the shooting circle. The attacking players have to position themselves along the arc of the shooting circle – slightly outside the circle. 

However, their sticks, feet, and hands must not touch the ground inside the circle. All the players – both attackers and defenders – are allowed to enter the shooting circle the moment the ball is hit from the short corner mark.

How to do a Penalty Corner?

Now if you think it’s done when the ball is pushed or shot, there’s more you need to know. When the ball is shot from the short corner mark, it has to cross the circle before the attackers hit the ball, that is, the ball needs to come outside the circle. The attackers are not allowed to score from the shot unless the ball goes outside the ring.

However, if the attackers touch the ball before it crosses the circle line, the attacker must take the ball outside first and attempt to score.

What About the Defending Player’s Clothing and Equipment?

As mentioned earlier, there will be five defending players standing in front of the goal. While the goalie is already protected i.e. worn protective gear, the 4 other players are allowed to wear some protective clothing. However not as much as a goalie.

The players are permitted to wear a face mask (usually transparent or white) when defending the goal during a penalty corner or a penalty stroke. However, they are allowed to wear it until the penalty strike has been completed.

Can Any Players Be Substituted During the Penalty Corner?

While there is no restriction on substitution during the game, replacement is not allowed during the penalty corner unless a player is injured. The moment from when a penalty corner is declared, no players can be substituted until the penalty has been completed.

It may also happen that another penalty corner has been rewarded before the previous one is completed. Even in that case, players cannot be substituted until the subsequent penalty corner is done. However, as with the previous one, injured players or goalie is the exception.  

Final Words

Rules are what uphold the sportsmanship and ensure fair play. Everyone – spectators and players – should know about the rules of the game they are playing or watching. 

This article will surely help you know almost everything you need to know about a penalty corner in field hockey. Next time when you watch or play the game, you will have the required knowledge to boast about. 

Although this article overlooks some trivial aspects of penalty corners, if you want to know more about the game as a whole, you should check out the rule book issued by the International Hockey Federation.