THE RULES OF HOCKEY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9173, 2 August 1895, Page 6

THE RULES OF HOCKEY.

(Weekly Press and Keferer.) As there seems a likelihood of several clubs being formed in Canterbury, we have no doubt the rules of the game will prove acceptable to many intending members and our readers generally. They are as fellows:—

1. A hockey team shall number eleven player?, unless otherwise agreed by the respective captains.

2. The ground shall ba 100 yards long and 50 yards wide, marked with white lines, and with a flag at each corner. The loager sides to be called the "side lines," and the shorter aides the "goal lines."

3. Ths goals shall be in the centre of each goa.l line, and shall consist of two uprights l-ti apart, wilh. a horizontal bar 7ft from the ground.

4. In front of each goal shall be drawn a line 12ft. long, parallel to the goal line, and 15 yards from it. The ends of (hit line shall be curved round to the goal lines by quarter circles, of which the goal posts form the centres. This line to be called the " striking circle."

5. The ball shall be an ordinary cricket ball, painted white.

6. The sticks shall have no metal fittings whatever, and no sharp edges, and they must be abie to pass through a ring 2in in diameter.

7. No player is to have any metal spikes or projecting vails in his boots or shoe?.

S. The choice of goals shall be tossed for at the beginning of the game, and. the goals shall be changed at half-time.

9. The game shall be started by one player of each side bullying the ball in the centre of the ground, and after each goal and after half time there shall ba a bully in the centre of the ground. The bully shall be played as follows : Each player to strike the ground on his own side of the ball, and hie opponent's stick over the ball three times alternately ; after which either of the two playere shall be at liberty to strike the ball.

10. In all cases of a bully, every player shall bs between the ball and his own goal line.

11. A goal is scored when the ball has been driven between the goal posts under the bir. No goal can be scpnd unless the ball be hit from a point within the striking circle. A ball struct from without the striking circle, and touching or glancing off the pereon or stick of a player on the defending side, cannot score a goal.

12. When a player hits the ball, any player of the same side who at the moment of hitting is nearer his opponent's goil line is off side, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from dome so, unless there are at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal line, and a player once offside cannot- be in play again until the ball has touched or been hit by another player.

13. The ball may be caught (but must be at once dropped) or stopped with any part of the body ; but it must not be carried, kicked, or knocked on, except with the stick. The ball shall be played from rieht to left only, and no left or backhanded play, charging, kicking, collaring, shin ning, or tripping shall be allowed. Fencing or honking sticks shall not be allowed, unlsss one of the players is on the ball. A player shall not run in between his opponent and the ball so as to obstruct him, nor cross him from the left so as to foul him. The goal-keeper shall, however, be allowed to kick the ball away in defeuce of goal.

14. When a player strikes a' the ball, his stick must not during any portion of the stroke rise above his ahoulder. And no player may interfere in any way witb the game unless his stick be in his hand.

15. On the occasion of a free" hit, no member ot'the .foifendine side shall be within five yards of the spot where Bucb hit is made, and the striker mutt not play the ball agai&until it has touched or been hib by another player.

10. The penalty for any breach of Rulss 12, 13, 14, and 15, committed outside the etiiking circles, shall be a "free hit" by one of the opposite side, on the spot where the rule was broken. For any breach of Rules 12, 13, 14, and 15 by the attacking side, committed inside the striking circle, a free hit may be claimed by the defending side. For any breach of Rules 12, 13,14, and 15 committed by the defending side inside the striking circle, the attacking side can only claim a " bully."

17. When the ball passes the " side line," it shall be rolled out along the ground from thetapot where it crossed the line by one of the opposite side to that of the player who last touched it in any direction except forward. No other player shall stand within five yards of tlie side line. The ball may be rolled out at once, and the player who rolta it out must, not touch the ball again until it has touched or been hit by another player.

IS. If the ball is hit belaud the goal line by the attacking side, it shall be brought out 25 yards in a direction at right angles to the goal line from a point where it crossed the line and* there " bullied;" but if the ball glance off, or is hit behind by any player of the defending side, a player of the attacking side shall hit it out from a point on the side or baee line within a yard of the nearest corner flag, and at the moment the ball is so <: bit out," all the defeuding aide must be behind their goal line, and all the attacking side must be outside the striking circle.

19. Should there be no umpire or umpires appointed by the two captains, the captains shall be arbitrators in all dispute?, sad should two umpire* or arbitrators fail to agree, they must appoint a referee, whose decision shall be anal. 4

Note.—The game is usually played for one hour and ten minutes, half-time after thirty-five minutes.