What happens when a defender runs out too early at a penalty corner?
I · Intermediate · Penalty corners and penalty strokes · 14 of 21Checked 13 October 2026
A defender who crosses the back-line before the ball is played is sent beyond the centre-line and cannot be replaced, and the corner is taken again. If the goalkeeper breaks early, the team chooses another defender to go. If an attacker enters the circle early, the injector is sent back instead.
How it works
| Who and what | Result |
|---|---|
| A defender (not the goalkeeper) crosses the back-line or goal-line early | That defender goes beyond the centre-line, not replaced; retake |
| The goalkeeper crosses the goal-line early | The team nominates a defender to go beyond the centre-line, not replaced; retake |
| A defender crosses the centre-line early | Retake |
| The injector does not have a foot outside the field | Retake |
| The injector feints | The injector goes beyond the centre-line and another attacker takes it; retake |
| An attacker enters the circle early | The injector goes beyond the centre-line; retake |
| Any other offence by the attack | Free hit to the defence |
- Each repeat during the same corner sends another defender away, so a team can be down to three or fewer.
- Players sent away cannot return for a retake, but can for a new penalty corner given later.
- A new penalty corner, as opposed to a retake, can again be defended by five.
Tricky cases
Is a retaken corner a new penalty corner?
No. It stays the same corner until it is completed, so the players sent away stay away.
If the attacker's feint draws a defender out, who is punished?
Only the attacker. The injector is sent beyond the centre-line.
Why the rule exists
Rushing out before the ball is played would make the corner a lottery. Removing a defender each time makes breaking early a losing gamble.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above | H13.6 |
| FIH tournaments | A defending field player removing their mask before the first shot also means a retake | TR App 1 (5) |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rule 13.6 with guidance, in force from 1 March 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF).