Field Hockey Points of Emphasis - 2026

BY NFHS ON February 25, 2026 | FIELD HOCKEY, RULES

Penalty Corner- Retaken vs. Subsequent Corners

It is important to distinguish between a retaken penalty corner and a subsequent penalty corner. A retaken penalty corner results from a foul occurring during the initial penalty corner before completion, and the original penalty corner is retaken. A subsequent penalty corner is awarded when a new foul by the defending team occurs after the original penalty corner has been completed, resulting in a new penalty corner being awarded. A subsequently taken penalty corner may be defended by up to five players. (10-3-1)

Penalty Corners – Early Entry

Any attacker who enters the circle before the ball is played has committed a violation. When this occurs the inserter shall be required to go beyond the center line regardless of which attacking player commits the early entry.

Any defender who enters the circle before the ball is played has committed a violation. When this occurs that player shall be required to go beyond the center line and shall not be replaced. The team will continue to play down on any retaken penalty corner, and the team may go back to full on a subsequent penalty corner.

Any player (attack or defense) who has been required to go beyond the center line because of an infraction may not return for a retaken penalty corner. If a subsequent penalty corner is called, all player are eligible and a defending team can have up to five players.

Officials should emphasize proactive positioning, clear communication, and consistent enforcement to prevent early entry violations. Applying the penalty consistently, sending the inserter beyond the center line, promotes continuity across all levels of play, reduces repeated violations, and reinforces proper penalty corner mechanics for players, coaches, and officials alike. (10-3-3, 10-2-11, 10-3 PENALTIES)

Substitution During a Penalty Corner

NFHS rules prohibit entry of any player from the time the penalty corner is awarded until after it has been completed. This includes players returning from suspension. 

No substitutions are permitted during a penalty corner for any reason, including illness or injury of a field player. All players shall follow substitution rules and procedures, and substitutions may only occur after the penalty corner is completed. The defending goalkeeper is the only exception to this restriction in the case of illness, injury, suspension or disqualification. In the case of suspension or disqualification, the goalkeeper must be replaced by a properly equipped substitute goalkeeper, and the team must reduce the number of field players by one.

Officials and coaches should be vigilant in monitoring substitutions during penalty corner situations to ensure consistent enforcement. Strict adherence to this rule preserves fairness and maintains the integrity of the penalty corner as a critical scoring opportunity. (4-4-3, 10-3-1).

Wire-Caged Face Masks Outside the 25-Yard Line

Player safety remains a primary focus of NFHS Field Hockey, particularly regarding protective equipment worn during penalty corners. The use of a smooth, rounded wire-caged face mask while defending a penalty corner is permitted. However, players are expected to remove the wire-caged mask immediately upon completion of the penalty corner. If there is no suitable opportunity exists to safely remove the mask, the player may continue to wear it only while remaining within the 25-yard area.

If a player crosses the 25-yard line while still wearing a wire-caged face mask, this constitutes a violation. In this situation, if the offending player is involved in play, officials may stop play immediately, award a free hit to the opponent at the 25-yard line, and issue a misconduct. All standard free-hit parameters within the 25-yard area apply. If not involved in play, officials should wait for the next natural stoppage of play to issue the misconduct and a free hit is not awarded for the violation.

Prompt recognition and enforcement of this rule promote consistency, reinforce proper equipment usage, and help protect all players during live play. (1-6-5 PENALTIES 1, 8-2-1 PENALTIES 1)

Player Equipment – Tooth and Mouth Protectors

Tooth and mouth protectors must be appropriately designed and worn as intended. While custom-fitted or properly molded protectors are required, officials should ensure that any protector used does not include attachments or features that do not directly serve a protective function. Items added for decorative, convenience, or non-protective purposes are not permitted, as they may compromise safety or create additional risk to the wearer or other players.

Authenticating Mark

The NFHS Authenticating Mark ensures easy identification of inflated and non-inflated balls (pucks) used in interscholastic competition for which the NFHS writes playing rules. All such balls (pucks) are required to display the NFHS Authenticating Mark.

The use of conforming equipment is essential to the integrity of contests played under the NFHS rules. This mark helps to promote a level playing field by ensuring consistency in the equipment being used. The mark allows for the development of more sophisticated standards in balls (pucks) and clearly communicates to administrators, coaches, and officials that these standards are being met.

Non-compliance with these requirements will be reported to the state association for potential penalties, following the contest. Administrators and coaches play a pivotal role in making sure all inflated and non-inflated balls and pucks meet these specifications. They must instill the importance of proper equipment use through consistent reinforcement during the pre-competition certification meeting and throughout the season. Game officials must also remain vigilant and report any non-compliant balls and/or pucks to the state association office.