How can you tackle in hockey?
I · Intermediate · What can players do with the stick and the ball? · 8 of 21A tackle must be made with the stick, from a position where the tackler can play the ball without any body contact. Pushing, leaning on, charging or tripping an opponent is a foul, as is hitting their stick. Reckless sliding tackles should also bring a card.
How it works
- Tackle only when you can play the ball without body contact.
- Do not touch, hold or interfere with an opponent, their stick or their clothing.
- Do not intimidate or impede another player.
- Tackling from a position where contact is unavoidable, such as from behind, is a foul.
- Pushing or leaning on an opponent to make them lose the ball is a foul.
- Reckless play, including sliding tackles that take an opponent to ground, should bring a card as well.
Tricky cases
Is any contact a foul?
It depends on the tackler's position. A tackle is a foul if the tackler was not in a position to play the ball without body contact.
Can a player tackle from behind?
It depends on whether they can reach the ball without touching the opponent. From behind, that is rare.
Why the rule exists
Hockey is a non-contact sport in its rules. Players carry sticks and play a hard ball, so body contact raises the risk of injury fast.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above; the 2026 rulebook asks umpires to watch for tacklers pushing or leaning on opponents | H9.3, 9.4, 9.13; H Introduction, Applying the Rules |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.13, in force from 1 March 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF).