Individual League Rules

Spring/Summer/Fall Field Hockey
League Rules



Concussion Awareness: All players should know the Symptoms of a Concussion and the Action Steps to take for a concussion. https://www.aacounty.org/recreation-parks/sports/concussion-awareness

Inclement Weather Cancellation: Any cancellations will be posted on the Athletics Landing page of the Recreation & Parks website. https://www.aacounty.org/recreation-parks/sports

Inclement weather decisions made by the County will be posted by 4 pm.

If games have not been cancelled (there will NOT be an update), go to the field where the official will determine whether the game is playable.

Field set up/breakdown.

We ask that players/teams assist the field staff with setting up and securing goals before and after games as needed.

Thunder/Lightning/Unsafe Conditions: In cases of thunder or lightning, play shall be stopped, and everyone should wait in a safe place for 30 minutes from the last sound or sighting. If a second round of thunder or lightning is heard or seen within the first 30-minute time frame, the game will be canceled by the lead official. The lead referee will be the final authority on all safety decisions. For games on High School turf fields, please follow the Lightning Detection system alerts and listen to the field staff.

High Temperature (Heat) Water Breaks - when the following situation exists:
  • 90 Degrees or above Air Temperature
  • 1-Minute Water Breaks are to be given every 6 minutes. Half-time will be reduced to 3 minutes, if one-minute water breaks are given. Goalies are allowed to carry water bottles outside of the cage, below the end line.
  • If the air temperature drops below 90 Degrees, no stoppage of play unless the official approves.

  • The game clock will stop for one-minute water breaks. The notification whistle to get players back on the field will be blown at 30 seconds into one minute water break and at 2-1/2 minutes into half-time. The players have 30 seconds to return to the field after the notification whistle is blown.

     

All Leagues

R&P Field Hockey League will follow the National Federation State High School Associations Guidelines.

  1. Players can only play on one (1) team (exception would be the goalkeeper).
  2. Spectators must be on bleacher stands or their own chairs outside the fence of the stadium
  3. There will only be a maximum of two (2) coaches allowed on each team sideline at any time.
  4. Mouth guards must be colored, not clear or white, and worn by all players. Shin Guards must be worn.
  5. Hard and unyielding items (guards, cast, braces, etc.) worn on the hand, arm, forearm, elbow, upper arm, or shoulder must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick (no bubble wrap). There must not be any protruding broken fingers. Knee and ankle braces, which are unaltered, do not require additional padding.
  6. Coin Toss will determine possession of the ball OR which goal to defend.
  7. Coaches are encouraged to use their designated captains for any questions to the officials. Comments or concerns should be made in writing to the Sports Supervisor.
  8. All players, coaches, and spectators are subject to the rules and regulations in the A.A. County Recreation and Parks Guidelines and Reference Manual.
  9. All Fields are Tobacco-Free Zones. Smoking, vaping, and use of Tobacco are prohibited on school property, and there is a 100-yard Tobacco-Free Zone at all County Park fields. Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited on or near the fields at any time.
  10. Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited on or near the fields.
  11. Emphasis will be placed on high sticking (dangerous play rule, hacking (stick obstruction rule), and good sporting behavior.

7v7 Game Rules

Games will follow NFHS Rules with the following exceptions;

  1. Teams will play 7 v 7, playing on a split field. Can start with 5 players.
  2. The Self Pass Option can be used. Based on the shortened field, all areas of the rule that cite the 25-yard area is replaced with “midline of the field.” All players are required to be 5 yards away from a restart.
  3. With appropriate open space and no players approaching, field hockey players will be permitted to raise their sticks above the shoulders to stop, receive, and deflect or play the ball. All NFHS rules/guidelines will apply to the usage of this highly skilled technique.
  4. Running Clock: 12-minute quarters, time only stopped for injuries.
  5. 5-minute half-time.
  6. No equipped goalie is required to start the game. The goalkeeper position is not mandatory.