Field Hockey Referee Guide
The 2-Umpire System, 3-Card Discipline, Video Referral, Penalty Corner Procedure & Certification
Last updated: April 6, 2026
Field hockey is officiated by two umpires, each responsible for one half of the pitch. They enforce the rules using a unique three-card system: green (2-minute suspension), yellow (5-minute minimum suspension), and red (permanent exclusion). At international level, a video umpire handles referrals, and teams have one referral per match (retained if successful).
The 2-Umpire System — How Field Hockey Is Officiated
Unlike football (1 referee) or basketball (2-3 referees), field hockey uses a specific dual-umpire system where each official has primary responsibility for one half of the pitch.
Umpire 1 (left half):
- Controls decisions in the left half of the pitch (from their perspective at the start).
- Has primary responsibility for the shooting circle at their end — penalty corners, penalty strokes, and goals.
- Positions along the sideline, moving up and down to follow play.
Umpire 2 (right half):
- Controls the right half of the pitch.
- Has primary responsibility for the shooting circle at their end.
- Mirrors the positioning of Umpire 1 on the opposite sideline.
Shared responsibilities:
- Both umpires can call fouls anywhere on the pitch, though they defer to the umpire with primary responsibility when possible.
- Umpires communicate via discreet hand signals and occasionally verbal calls.
- At half-time, umpires switch sides (and therefore switch primary circle responsibilities).
Reserve umpire: A third official sits off the pitch and serves as timekeeper, manages substitution records, and can replace an injured umpire.
Why two umpires? Field hockey's shooting circle rule means that most critical decisions (goals, penalty corners, penalty strokes) occur in concentrated areas near the goal. Having a dedicated umpire focused on each circle ensures better decision-making on the most consequential calls.
The Three-Card System — Green, Yellow & Red
Field hockey's three-card disciplinary system is one of the most distinctive features of the sport. While most team sports use two cards or a penalty box, field hockey uses three graduated levels of sanction.
GREEN CARD — Official Warning with 2-Minute Suspension
The green card is the mildest sanction but still carries a real consequence: the player must leave the pitch for 2 minutes. It is shown for:
- Minor or first-time offenses: deliberate fouls, persistent fouling, minor dissent.
- Actions that are not severe enough for a yellow card but warrant more than a verbal warning.
- In some competitions, the green card serves as a triangular card (literally a green triangle), distinguishing it visually from the square yellow and red cards.
During the 2-minute suspension:
- The player sits in a designated area near the technical table.
- The team plays with one fewer player (no substitute allowed).
- The 2 minutes are playing time (the clock must be running).
- After 2 minutes, the player returns to the field.
YELLOW CARD — 5-Minute Minimum Suspension
A more serious sanction for:
- Repeated fouling after a green card has been shown.
- Dangerous play: raised sticks, body contact, intimidation.
- Deliberate obstruction or time-wasting.
- Aggressive dissent toward umpires.
- Tactical fouls to prevent a clear scoring opportunity.
During the suspension:
- The player is out for a minimum of 5 minutes (the umpire may extend to up to 10 minutes for more severe offenses).
- The team plays short-handed.
- If a player receives multiple yellow cards, the umpire may upgrade to a red card.
RED CARD — Permanent Exclusion
The most severe sanction:
- Violent conduct: hitting, kicking, or intentionally injuring an opponent.
- Extremely dangerous play that risks serious injury.
- Receiving a second yellow card in the same match.
- Offensive, abusive, or threatening language toward officials or opponents.
After a red card:
- The player must leave the pitch and the surrounding area (they cannot sit on the bench).
- The team plays with one fewer player for the remainder of the match — no replacement.
- The player typically faces additional disciplinary proceedings (multi-match bans).
Video Umpire Referral System — How It Works
Field hockey pioneered video review in team sports, introducing the video umpire referral system in international competition in 2008 — a full decade before football's VAR.
Who can refer?
- Each team has one referral per match.
- If the referral is successful (the original decision is overturned), the team retains their referral.
- If the referral is unsuccessful (the original decision stands), the team loses their referral.
- Umpires can also refer decisions to the video umpire on their own initiative for any goal situation.
What can be referred?
- Goals: Was the ball touched inside the circle? Did the ball fully cross the line? Was there a foul in the build-up?
- Penalty corner decisions: Should a penalty corner have been awarded or denied?
- Penalty stroke decisions: Should a stroke have been awarded?
- Card decisions: Should a card have been shown, or should the severity be upgraded/downgraded?
How the review process works:
- A player signals to the umpire (usually the captain) by making a TV screen gesture with their hands.
- The umpire signals to the technical table that a referral has been requested.
- The video umpire reviews slow-motion replays from multiple camera angles.
- The video umpire communicates the recommendation to the on-field umpire via headset.
- The on-field umpire announces the final decision.
Time limit: Referrals must be made immediately — teams cannot wait to see the replay on the big screen before deciding. Once play resumes, the right to refer that incident is lost.
Impact on the game: The referral system has significantly improved decision accuracy, particularly on tight penalty corner and goal calls. It has also added a strategic element — teams must decide carefully when to use their referral, as losing it means having no recourse for future controversial decisions.
Penalty Corner Procedure — The Umpire's Role
The penalty corner is one of the most complex set-piece situations an umpire must manage. Here is the complete procedure from the umpire's perspective:
Before the injection:
- The umpire ensures the injector (the attacker pushing the ball from the back line) is positioned at least 10 metres from the nearest goalpost.
- The umpire checks that all attackers are outside the circle.
- The umpire verifies that no more than 5 defenders (including the goalkeeper) are behind the back line, and the remaining defenders are beyond the centre line.
- The umpire signals readiness.
During the penalty corner: 5. The injector pushes the ball along the ground — it must travel outside the circle before the first shot. 6. The defenders rush out once the ball is played. 7. The umpire watches for:
- Foot faults: Defenders leaving the back line before the ball is played.
- Height violations: The first shot at goal must not cross the goal line above backboard height (460mm) — unless it is a drag-flick or scoop.
- Dangerous play: A shot that rises dangerously toward a defender (especially a runner) may be stopped by the umpire.
- Circle entry: The ball must leave the circle and re-enter before a shot is taken.
Common umpire decisions during penalty corners:
- Re-award: If a defender breaks the rules (leaves early, foot in the circle), the penalty corner is retaken.
- Penalty stroke upgrade: If a defender deliberately fouls to prevent a goal during a penalty corner, the umpire may upgrade to a penalty stroke.
- Free hit to defense: If an attacker breaks the rules (shoots before the ball leaves the circle, dangerous shot).
Umpire positioning: During a penalty corner, the controlling umpire stands near the goalpost on the non-injection side, giving them the best view of the goal line, the injection, and the shooting action.
Dangerous Play — The Most Critical Judgment Call
Dangerous play is the most frequently called and debated foul in field hockey. The Laws of Hockey (FIH Rules of Hockey) define it broadly as any action that could lead to injury.
What constitutes dangerous play?
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Raised ball: Lifting the ball into a player at close range or playing the ball dangerously high in a crowded area. The umpire judges danger based on the proximity of other players and the speed/trajectory of the ball.
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Raised stick: Swinging the stick above shoulder height in proximity to another player. This is penalized even if no contact is made — the potential for injury is the standard.
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Ball played into the body at close range: If an attacker hits the ball hard into a defender's body from close range (especially during penalty corners), the umpire may rule dangerous play against the attacker.
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Physical contact: Charging, pushing, tripping, or body-checking an opponent. Field hockey is a non-contact sport — any deliberate physical interference is a foul.
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Stick interference: Hitting, hooking, or slashing an opponent's stick while they are in the act of playing the ball.
The "danger" standard: The key question is not "did contact occur?" but "was there reasonable danger of injury?" An umpire may penalize a raised ball even if it misses everyone — the trajectory and proximity to players determines the call.
Free hit or card? Most dangerous play results in a free hit to the opposing team. If the dangerous action is deliberate, reckless, or repeated, the umpire will additionally show a card (green, yellow, or red depending on severity).
How to Become a Certified Hockey Umpire
Field hockey umpiring follows a structured development pathway, managed by national associations under FIH guidelines.
Step 1: Entry-level course Contact your national hockey association (e.g., England Hockey, Hockey Australia, KNHB in the Netherlands, PZH in Poland). Entry-level umpire courses typically cover:
- Rules of Hockey (FIH Rules)
- Umpire positioning and movement
- Card system and foul recognition
- Penalty corner management
- Match management and communication
Minimum age is typically 14-16 years. No prior umpiring experience is required, though playing experience is beneficial.
Step 2: Club and local level New umpires are assigned to youth, club, and recreational matches. A mentoring system pairs new umpires with experienced officials who provide on-field guidance and post-match feedback.
Step 3: Regional and national appointments Strong performance leads to promotion through regional leagues and eventually national competitions. Umpires are assessed on:
- Decision accuracy
- Positioning and fitness
- Match management (player communication, game flow)
- Penalty corner management
- Application of the advantage rule
Step 4: FIH appointment The highest-performing national umpires are nominated for the FIH International Umpires Panel. FIH umpires officiate World Cups, Olympics, Pro League matches, and continental championships.
Fitness requirements: Field hockey umpires must maintain strong fitness levels — the dual-umpire system requires significant running along the sideline, with quick sprints to keep up with play and position optimally for circle entries.
Time commitment: Reaching international level typically takes 8-12 years of consistent development and strong assessment results.
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