The following is taken from the BBC field hockey website (link here):

Aim

The aim of the game is simple - to hit the ball into the opponents' net. The team scoring the most goals wins.

To score a goal the ball must pass between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.

If both teams score the same amount or no goals are scored, the match is a draw.

The game is started with a pushback from the centre spot.

A bully-off, where two players line up opposite each other and tap their stick on the ground and then against each other's stick before competing for the ball, is no longer used.

Start and Duration

The bully is only used to re-start a match when time or play has been stopped for an injury or for any other reason when no penalty has been awarded.

A game is split into two halves lasting 35 minutes each.

At the beginning of each half play begins with a pass from the centre of the halfway line.

After a goal, the match is restarted in the same way. There is a five minute half-time interval, or longer if previously agreed.

Scoring

Each goal is worth one point.

They can only be scored from inside the shooting circle - a semi-circular area in front of the opponents' goal.

Goals scored from outside this area are disallowed.

Teams

There are 11 players in a hockey team and up to five substitutes.

Every team will usually have a goalkeeper and the other 10 are field players.

The field players can be attackers, defenders or midfielders.

The exact line up will depend on the team strategy and so the exact number of forwards, midfielders and backs will vary. (an example of a 4-3-3 set up is above)

Safety

Hockey is played with a hard ball and emphasis is placed on safety.

Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play.

A ball is considered dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by players.

Stick

One of the basic rules of hockey is that you can only use the flat side of the stick to hit or control the ball.

They rules say players must "hold their stick and not use it in a dangerous way".

Players must not play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height except that defenders are permitted to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height.

The Pitch

These days, most matches are played on synthetic or artificial pitches.

The pitch is only slightly smaller than a football pitch, measuring 91.4m (100 yards) long and 58m (60 yards) wide.

The long sides are called the sidelines and the short sides are the backline.

The shooting circle is marked 14.63m (16 yards) from each goalpost.

Goals are 2.14m (7ft) high, 3.66m (12ft) wide and 0.91m (4ft) deep.

The backboard is 18 inches high.

Fouls

OBSTRUCTION:
Unlike footballers, hockey players aren't allowed to deliberately shield the ball from the opposition.

A player is not allowed to

•back into an opponent

•physically interfere with the stick or body of an opponent

•shield the ball from a legitimate tackle with their stick or any part of their body

•run in front of or block an opponent to stop them legitimately playing or attempting to play the ball (this is third party or shadow obstruction).

This is to make sure all players have an equal chance to gain control of the ball.

However, a stationary player receiving the ball is permitted to face in any direction.

And a player with the ball is permitted to move off with it in any direction (except into an opponent) - so as long as you keep moving, you should not be penalised for obstruction.

STICK TACKLING:
You can't hit, hook or hold an opponent's stick with your stick. You aren't permitted to play the ball with the back of the stick (including the shaft) either.

The rules state that players must not tackle unless in a position to play the ball without bodily contact.

FEET:
Only goalkeepers are allowed to use their feet in hockey. Field players are not allowed to use their feet, or any other part of their body, to control the ball or to gain an advantage.

If no advantage is gained, the umpire will allow play to continue.

OFFSIDE:
There is no such thing as offside in hockey.

DANGEROUS PLAY:
Players on the field must hold their stick and not use it in a dangerous way - for instance lifting it over the heads of others.

Players must not play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height (except: defenders are allowed to raise the stick to any height if they are attempting to stop or deflect a shot at goal).

Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play - the umpire deems it to be dangerous if it causes legitimate evasive action by players.

Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except for a shot at goal.

If it is raised unintentionally, the umpire will allow play to continue unless it is deemed dangerous.

Players are permitted to raise the ball with a flick or scoop provided it is not dangerous - if it is within five metres of an opponent it will be considered dangerous.

Players must not approach within five metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been received, controlled and is on the ground.

CONDUCT:
Players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally.

Playing the ball clearly and intentionally into any part of an opponent's body may be penalised as an attempt to manufacture an offence.

Forcing an opponent to obstruct (often emphasised by running into an opponent or by waving the stick) must also be penalised.

Penalties

There are three types of penalties in hockey.

The type awarded will depend on the seriousness of the offence and the location on the pitch where it took place.

1. FREE HIT: Given for a technical offence in open play. Taken from close to where the offence occurred, but opposition players must be given time to move back five metres. If the hit is within five metres of the circle, all players except the person taking the free hit must be five metres away.

2. PENALTY CORNER: Given for a minor offence inside the shooting circle or an intentional foul within the 22m area. Taken from the back line between the 10m mark and the circle edge.

A penalty corner is also awarded if a defender intentionally plays the ball over the back line.

3. PENALTY STROKE: For a more serious offence inside the shooting circle, such as illegally stopping a probable goal. Taken from the spot directly in front of goal.

Penalty Corner

penalty corner is taken on the backline inside the circle from a mark at least 10 metres from the goal post, from whichever side of the goal the attacking team prefers.

The ball can be hit or pushed, but the attacker must have at least one foot outside the field of play.

The other attackers must be outside the circle with sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the circle and at least five metres from the person taking the corner.

The defending team can have no more than five players, including the goalkeeper, behind the back line and must have their sticks, hands and feet not touching the ground inside the field.

The other defenders must be beyond the centre line until the ball has been played.

BALL:

A goal cannot be scored until the ball has travelled outside the circle.

If the first shot at goal is a hit or slap hit (as opposed to a push, flick or scoop), the ball must cross the goal-line, or be on a path which would have resulted in it crossing the goal-line, at a height of not more than 460mm (the height of the backboard) before any deflection, for a goal to be scored.

The ball is allowed to be higher than the backboard during its flight (provided there is no danger) as long as it drops of its own accord below the backboard before crossing the line.

Second and subsequent hits at the goal and first-time flicks, deflections and scoops, can be raised to any height - as long as they are not dangerous.

The penalty corner rules no longer apply if the ball travels more than five metres from the circle.

TIMING:

The umpire will allow time for a penalty corner or any subsequent penalty corner or penalty stroke to be completed even if full or half time have elapsed.

The penalty corner is completed when:

•a goal is scored

•an attacker commits an offence

•the ball travels more than five metres outside the circle

•the ball travels outside the circle for a second time

•the ball is played over the back-line and a penalty corner is not awarded

•a defender commits an offence which does not result in another penalty corner

•a penalty stroke is awarded

For a complete guide of field hockey rules please follow this link to the international hokcey website: click here.