Why was a penalty corner given?
B · Beginner · Penalty corners and penalty strokes · 9 of 12A penalty corner is given for a defender's offence inside their own circle that did not stop a probable goal. It is also given for a deliberate offence by a defender in their own 23-metre area and for a defender deliberately playing the ball over their own back-line. It is the main scoring chance in modern hockey.
How it works
A penalty corner is awarded for:
- a defender's offence in the circle that does not prevent a probable goal;
- a deliberate offence in the circle by a defender against an opponent who does not have the ball or a chance to play it;
- a deliberate offence by a defender outside the circle but inside their own 23-metre area;
- a defender deliberately playing the ball over their own back-line (a goalkeeper may deflect it there);
- the ball getting stuck in a player's clothing or kit inside the circle they are defending.
The umpire signals it by pointing both arms towards the goal.
Tricky cases
Is every foul in the circle a penalty corner?
No. An attacker's foul gives a free hit to the defence. A defender's foul gives a penalty corner, or a penalty stroke if it prevented a probable goal or was a deliberate foul on a player with the ball.
Is a short corner the same as a penalty corner?
Yes. Short corner is a common name for it.
The ball hit the defender's foot but bounced away from goal. Is that a corner?
It depends on whether the defender gained from it. An accidental touch that gains nothing is not an offence.
Why the rule exists
It makes fouling near goal costly. A defender who stops an attack illegally gives the attack a rehearsed chance at goal instead.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above | H12.3 |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rules 7.4 c and 12.3, and Umpiring 4.6 c, in force from 1 March 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF).