What counts as time-wasting in hockey?
A · Advanced · Who decides, and what is unfair play? · 9 of 10Checked 13 October 2026
Players must not delay play to gain an advantage. Umpires can penalise it with a free hit and a card. In FIH tournaments a deliberate delay at a penalty corner brings a green card, and if the defence is to blame, it defends with one fewer player.
How it works
- Delaying play to gain a benefit is an offence.
- Teams should take as little time as possible to set up a penalty corner.
- At a penalty stroke, neither the taker nor the defender may delay.
- FIH tournaments, penalty corner delays: extra time for putting on kit is allowed. A deliberate delay by a defender brings a green card and one fewer defender; by an attacker, a green card. Repeats bring a yellow.
- Because the clock stops for goals, corners and strokes, most time-wasting happens in open play, for example walking away from a free hit or holding the ball near the corner flag.
Tricky cases
Is keeping the ball in the corner time-wasting?
No, not by itself. Holding the ball under legal pressure is play. Delaying a restart or blocking illegally is not.
Why the rule exists
A running clock tempts the leading team to slow the game. The rule keeps the playing time honest.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above | H9.17, 13.3 a guidance, 13.7 g guidance |
| FIH tournaments | Cards for penalty corner delays | TR App 1 (5) |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rules 9.17, 13.3 a and 13.7 g, in force from 1 March 2026; FIH Outdoor Tournament Regulations, Appendix 1, June 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official documents: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF); FIH Outdoor Tournament Regulations (PDF).