The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has made an
announcement regarding changes to the Rules of Indoor Hockey.
The new rule changes, which come into effect on 1 September
2013, include the change from six-a-side to five-a-side. Part of the rationale behind the change is to
introduce a level of conformity across all types of non-standard hockey,
including Hockey5s, ParaHockey and Beach Hockey.
A noticeable absentee from the rule changes is the ‘own goal’
rule, which will not be included in indoor hockey. Also absent from the changes is the rule was proposed last year, which banned the hand holding the stick coming
into contact with the pitch. This rule change had been suspended after protests
from players and others.
We will have full details on the changes to the rules of
indoor hockey in the August edition of our on-line magazine, HockeyTalk, which
will be available from 26th July.
