girls Field Hockey Regulations

Regular Season

GAME QUARTERS

Varsity games will consist of four (4) fifteen-minute quarters. There will be a two-minute break between quarters 1-2 and 3-4. There will be a five-minute break between quarters 2-3.

During Varsity PLAYOFF games, the clock will stop when a goal is scored (all quarters) and when a corner is called (fourth quarter). The clock is restarted upon the official’s whistle. Mercy Rule guidelines will be used in the postseason.

OFFICIAL GAME

A game which has completed 30 minutes of play shall be considered an official game and all scores/statistics shall be considered official.

A game which was suspended or called prior to 30 minutes of play being completed will not be considered an official game and shall be replayed in its entirety on a future date. All scores/statistics entered shall be erased.

MERCY RULE

The Mercy Rule comes into effect if a team is winning a game by an eight-goal differential any time after the end of the 1st half.

When there is a six-goal differential:

The clock becomes a running clock at a six-goal differential (only stopping on injury or time out).

The game clock will revert to normal timekeeping if the goal differential becomes five.

Host Schools

The Home team is responsible to provide:

1. A properly game-ready, marked field.
2. A team roster (to the scorekeeper AND opposing coach) listing players names and associated jersey numbers.
3. An adult who is trained and knowledgeable in scorekeeping and timing (must be at the table 30 minutes prior to game time). The table workers must be impartial and are considered part of the officiating crew.
4. If a press box is being utilized, there must be direct communication capabilities between the scorers’ table and the press box.
5. A table with chairs at midfield for the scorekeepers and timekeeper
6. Two chairs available at scorer’s table for carded players to sit (per NFHS rules)

Visiting Schools

The Visiting team is responsible to provide a team roster (to the scorekeeper AND opposing coach) listing players names and associated jersey numbers.

Standings Tie Breaker

In case of a tie between two or more teams for playoff seeding, upon completion of the league schedule, the winner will be decided by the 5-goal system.

1. 1. If two (2) teams are tied in the standings at the end of regular season league play for playoff seeding, the winner will be the team which won the game played by these two teams.
   1. a. If the two (2) teams played home and away during the regular season and split, the 5-goal system would be used.

Example

Team A 4 at Team B 1 (Team A is +3)

Team B 5 at Team A 0 (Team B is +5)

Team B would be declared the winner of the tie.

1. b. If two or more teams are tied in the standings at the end of regular season league play for playoff seeding, the winner will be decided by comparing the margin of victory up to five (5) goals in the contests between the tied teams only. Loss equals zero points.

Example:

Team A 3 vs Team B 0 (Team A would be +3)

Team B 4 vs Team C 3 (Team B would be +1)

Team A 0 vs Team C 8 (Team C would be +5)

1. 2. If a tie still exists, then a goal system of plus five (5) of all common league opponents will be used. Loss equals zero points.
2. 3. If a tie still exists after the previous steps, then coin flip will determine the winner of the tie. The League Director will organize the coin flip.
3. 1. If teams are tied play will continue with one ten minute 7 versus 7 sudden victory quarter.
4. 2. If teams are still tied after first overtime quarter, then play will be five players shoot out (8 seconds from the 23-line 1 v 1 with goalie). All five players must shoot.
5. 3. If still tied another five players shoot out (8 seconds from the 23-line 1 v 1 with goalie) sudden victory.

Playoffs & Championships

1. 1. If teams are tied play will continue with one ten minute 7 versus 7 sudden victory quarter.
2. 2. If teams are still tied after first overtime quarter, then play will be five players shoot out (8 seconds from the 23-line 1 v 1 with goalie). All five players must shoot.
3. 3. If still tied another five players shoot out (8 seconds from the 23-line 1 v 1 with goalie) sudden victory.