A bully is a restart where one player from each team faces the ball and fights for it. Today it is used only in a few situations, mainly after play stops for an injury or something else when neither team had a clear right to the ball. In the past, games started with a “center bully”, but that was replaced by a pass-back from the center spot decades ago.
When is a bully used?
- After play stops for an injury or another reason with no penalty given, and no team had clear possession.
- When the umpire can’t decide which team should get a restart.
Under FIH rules, a bully can’t be taken within 15 m of the back-line. If play stopped closer than that, the ball is moved out to 15 m.
How a bully is taken
- The ball is placed on the spot where play stopped (or moved out to 15 m from the back-line).
- One player from each team stands facing each other, with their own goal line on their right.
- Each player places their stick on the ground to the right of the ball.
- They tap the flat faces of their sticks together once above the ball, then touch the ground again.
- After the single tap, either player may play the ball.
- All other players must be at least 5 m away.
The old version required three taps. Modern rules use one.
Tips to win a bully
- Stay low and balanced. Bend your knees so you can react in any direction.
- Watch the ball, not the opponent. React the instant the tap ends.
- Have a plan. Know which way you’ll push the ball and where your teammates are.
- Play it wide. A quick push to a teammate on the side is safer than trying to beat the opponent through the middle.
Common violations
- Playing the ball before the tap is complete.
- Using the rounded back of the stick.
- Other players standing within 5 m.
An early start or wrong setup usually means the bully is retaken.
Where everyone else stands during a bully
Only the two players taking the bully may be close to the ball. All other players must stay at least 5 metres away until the ball is in play, so the two players have a fair contest.
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Two bully players | Facing each other square to the side lines, own goal line on their right |
| Teammates | At least 5 metres from the ball |
| Goalkeepers | Usually back in goal, depending on where the bully is taken |
How the bully has changed
For much of the twentieth century, every match and every restart after a goal began with a bully in which the players tapped sticks three times. Over time the centre pass replaced the bully for starts and restarts, and the tap sequence was simplified. Today the bully is a rare restart used mostly after an injury or an unusual stoppage when no team was at fault.
Drills to win more bullies
- Reaction bully: a coach calls “go” at random intervals after the tap to train fast hands.
- Positioning reps: practise setting up square and low within a few seconds.
- Bully to pass: win the ball and pass to a teammate in one movement.
- Left and right side reps: practise bullies facing both directions so either side feels natural.
Common questions from new players
- Can I hit the ball hard off a bully? Yes, once it is in play, but most players push or drag it to a teammate for control.
- Where is a bully taken inside the circle? Rules keep it a set distance from the back line; your competition rules give the exact placement.
- What if a player breaks the procedure? The umpire orders the bully to be taken again.
Rules reference: FIH Rules of Hockey. High school (NFHS) and other competitions may differ, so check your league.
The bully compared with other restarts
Modern field hockey has several ways to restart play. The bully is now the rarest, used only when neither team clearly deserves possession.
| Restart | When it is used | Who gets the ball |
|---|---|---|
| Centre pass | Start of each quarter and after a goal | The team whose turn it is, or the team that conceded |
| Free hit | After a foul or when the ball goes over the sideline or backline | The team that did not commit the foul or last touch the ball |
| Long corner | When a defender unintentionally plays the ball over their own backline | The attacking team |
| Penalty corner | After certain defensive fouls in or near the circle | The attacking team |
| Bully | After a stoppage when no team had a clear right to the ball, such as an injury or broken equipment | Contested between one player from each team |
Stance and footwork
A strong bully position starts with the feet. Stand square to your opponent with feet about shoulder-width apart, knees bent and weight slightly forward on the balls of the feet. Hold the stick low with a firm grip, keeping the left hand at the top and the right hand lower down for control. From this position you can react quickly in either direction, whether you want to pull the ball away, push it past your opponent or block their attempt.
Step-by-step bully routine
- Take up position with your own goal line on your right, facing your opponent.
- Place your stick on the ground to the right of the ball, as required by the rules.
- Tap the flat face of your opponent’s stick once above the ball.
- Watch the ball, not the opponent’s stick, as soon as the tap is complete.
- Play the ball decisively toward a teammate or open space, then move to support.
The rules for taking a bully are set out in the FIH Rules of Hockey, and some national and school competitions add their own guidance, so check the current rulebook for your league.
What teammates should do
A bully is not only a contest between two players. Teammates should stand at least 5 metres away, spread into useful positions, and be ready to receive the ball or close down an opponent immediately. Agreeing before the game on who takes bullies and where support players stand helps the team react faster than the opponent when the ball comes loose.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bully in field hockey?
A restart where one player from each side taps sticks once over the ball and then competes for it.
How many taps are in a bully?
One in the current rules. It used to be three.
Does field hockey still start with a bully?
No. Games and restarts after goals begin with a pass from the center spot.
Rules reference: FIH Rules of Hockey 2026.
