ARTICLE 18

FIELD HOCKEY

Section 1. RULES

All activities in Field Hockey shall be played according to National Federation Rules, except for any special rules adopted by the Committee.

1. It shall be the responsibility of the home team to:

1. Supply the time clock, scorer and table at mid‑line.
2. Supply score book and score sheet.
3. Pay officials.
4. Mark the field with restraining lines and cones.
5. Report results to the Director of Field Hockey.

2. Mouth-pieces must be worn by all players at all games and practices..
3.   Eye Goggles
   1. All players must wear eye goggles in all games and practices. The eye goggles are not to be altered in any way.
      • Exception: In accordance with NFHS Field Hockey rules, a face mask may be worn in place of eye goggles. The face mask must be smooth, rounded, preferably transparent or single colored and fit flush with the face. It shall not be attached to any hard, unyielding headgear (even if padded). It is the school’s responsibility to confirm that this equipment meets the standards before allowing a student to wear it in practice/competition.
4. The goalie must also wear a mask or helmet and mask
5. All uniforms must have a distinctive color. In the event of color clash, the home team must wear a different shirt.
6. During regularly scheduled RIIL games and playoff games, a team ahead by five (5) or more goals, the official game clock will not stop after a goal is scored.
7. Note:

1. Indoor or Outdoor Field Hockey Team must comply with Article 7, Section 6.D1.B. (50% Rule)

2. Field Hockey coaches must comply with Article 7, Section 6.D.2 (coaching during the off season)

Section 2. SCHEDULE/GAMES

The Director of Field Hockey shall make up the schedules and order of games. No school may make any change to the schedule. See Article 1, Section 17 (Home Confirmation Schedules).

1. Teams may play no more than three games per week. These games may not be played on consecutive days, except with the expressed permission of the League.

Section 3. POSTPONEMENTS

The postponement rules contained in Article 4, unless otherwise stated, shall govern all postponed field hockey games.

1. Field hockey games postponed because of weather conditions shall be played, weather and ground conditions permitting, on the following school day, or the next fair weather school day.

2. If a game is postponed for any reason other than inclement weather, it must be rescheduled, as soon as possible, to a definite date by mutual agreement of the schools and with the consent of the League and/or Director of Field Hockey. If a mutual agreement cannot be reached, the Director of Field Hockey will reschedule the contest(s).

Section 4. OFFICIALS

RIIL assigned official’s authority extends to pre and post-game oversight. Fighting and unsportsmanlike penalties will be within the authority of the officials at all times at the contest site. It shall be the responsibility of the officials to see that benches are cleared of everyone except coaches, assistant coaches, managers, scorers, players, school physician, and a representative of the press.

1. Only registered officials may be used for League games. Officials shall be assigned by the Directory of Field Hockey.

Section 5. PLAYOFFS

The Championship Playoffs will be conducted under the direction of the Director of Field Hockey in a format determined by the Director of Field Hockey, approved by the Committee.

All play-off games must be completed. If a game is suspended due to darkness, weather, etc., the game is restarted at the point of suspension. If the first half is not completed, the game does not count and will be restarted from the beginning.

Play-off Structure:

• Division I – must win 30% of their league games (not including cross-over games with DII), which is a total of 6 points to qualify for the playoffs. 
• Division II – must win 40% of their league games (not including cross-over games with DI), which is a total of 11 points.
• Division III – must win 40% of their games, which is 10 points to qualify for the playoffs.

Note: Teams will be seeded according to their point total.

Teams will be seeded according to their point total. If there is a tie, the seeding position will be determined by:

1. Head to head results
2. The tied teams result in competitions with teams above them. Starting with the highest seeded team, compare results against them.
3. The tied teams result in competitions with teams below them. Starting with the next seeded teams, compare results against them.
4. If more than two teams are tied, this formula will be used to determine seeding position as well.
5. If the teams are still tied after this process, a coin flip will be used to determine seeding position.

Field Hockey Overtime Procedures

During the regular season, overtime will become a 10 minute 7 on 7 sudden victory OT. If teams are still tied after 10 minutes, it is a tie. The visiting team will call the flip to start the overtime and the winner of the coin toss will choose whether or not to take possession of the ball.

All play-off games must be completed. If a game is suspended due to darkness, weather, etc., the game is restarted at the point of suspension. If the first half is not completed, the game does not count and will be restarted from the beginning.

Revised 8/27/21