Can a hockey team play without a goalkeeper?
A · Advanced · Who plays, and who can come on? · 6 of 10Checked 13 October 2026
Yes.
A team can play with 11 field players and no goalkeeper, often late in a match to chase a goal. Nobody then
has a goalkeeper's privileges: no one may use their body to save, and only face masks may be worn as protective
headgear, when defending a penalty corner or penalty stroke. The change is made as a substitution.
How it works
- All players wear the same shirt colour; no one wears a different colour or has goalkeeping privileges.
- No protective headgear, except a face mask when defending a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
- At a penalty corner, the five defenders behind the line are all field players without privileges.
- At a penalty stroke, a team without a goalkeeper may bring on its substitute goalkeeper, or defend with a field player who may save only with the stick.
- Switching to or from a goalkeeper is a substitution, so it can't happen during a penalty corner.
Tricky cases
Can a field player defending a stroke wear the goalkeeper's kit?
No. A field player defending a stroke may wear only a face mask.
Can the team bring the goalkeeper back on quickly at a penalty corner?
No. Substitutions are not allowed during a penalty corner, except for an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper.
Why the rule exists
It gives teams a tactical choice, an extra attacker at the risk of an open goal, while keeping the special privileges tied to a fully protected goalkeeper.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above | H2.2, 13.3 g, 13.7 e |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rules 2.2, 2.3, 13.3 g and 13.7 e, in force from 1 March 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF).