Changes regarding the use of facemasks & receiving aerial balls

Use of Facemasks

On 27 January, 2025, the FIH announced that effective immediately it would be mandatory for all players defending a penalty corner to wear a facemask at FIH events. Noting this is a regulation change for FIH tournaments not a Rule of Hockey change. The full announcement can be found here

Hockey Australia (HA) have considered their position as it relates to National Championships and advised that they will be adopting the same regulations change for all of its National Championships (U14, U16, U18, U21, Men’s & Women’s Masters, Country Championships, and Indoor Championships) and for all Hockey One League events.

Hockey Victoria Position
Hockey Victoria (HV) Board and Management have considered our position as it relates to the HV Competitions and Events conducted in Victoria and the competition managed by our Victorian Affiliates.  We note that this position of compulsory face masks is already compulsory for all junior participants to wear a facemask when defending a short corner.

The HV Board has resolved that effective from the commencement the 2025 HV Winter Season (27 March, 2025) the wearing of facemasks by penalty corner defenders in all Victorian competitions and events is mandatory.

This decision is in line with our commitment to participant safety. 

Please find clarification on how this will be officiated below:

• Defenders not wearing a mask will have to go to halfway and partake in the PC from there (with other field players)

• If no field players have a face mask to defend a PC, then the GK will be the sole defender for the PC

• Players can take an immediate free hit awarded inside the 23m area after a penalty corner when passing the ball to another player

• Teams cannot take a 16yd hit with any personal protective equipment on

• All players are responsible for removing their PPE gear from the field of play safely. Any reckless removal of gear may be met with a personal penalty

Receiving Aerial Balls

As part of the FIH Umpires Briefing for 2025, the FIH is introducing the following rule trial regarding the receiving of aerial balls:

Rule 9.10

Players must not approach within 5 metres of an opponent receiving a falling raised ball until it has been touched by the receiver. The ball may be intercepted within 5 metres but outside of playing distance provided it is done safely.

HV will be adopting this rule for the 2025 Winter season, and all outdoor competitions. This is replacing the current rule appearing in the rulebook of the rule requiring the ball “to be under control”. This eliminates the grey area in the current rule set. All other aspects and guidance on the reception of Aerial balls, remain unchanged.

Our officials and the copy of the FIH Umpires’ Briefing outlining this change be found on the HV website on the Officials Briefings page.

Key Contact
David Bourke – General Manager Hockey Operations
Email: dbourke@hockeyvictoria.org.au