Tackling from behind in field hockey is legal only if you play the ball cleanly without making contact with the opponent, their stick or their body, and without obstructing them. The rules do not ban approaching from behind, but in practice it is very hard to reach the ball from directly behind without hitting the player’s stick or legs, so most tackles from behind are penalised. The legal approach is to get alongside or goal side of the attacker first, then tackle from the side where you can see and reach the ball. Umpires punish tackles from behind that are reckless or dangerous with free hits, penalty corners or cards.
This guide explains what the rules say, what counts as a foul, what umpires look for, how to defend legally when you are chasing, penalties that apply, drills and common mistakes.
What the rules say
The Rules of Hockey prohibit players from tackling unless they are in a position to play the ball without body contact, and they prohibit hitting, hooking, holding or striking an opponent’s stick or clothing. Obstruction rules also stop players from blocking an opponent’s path to the ball with their body or stick. A tackle from behind is therefore not illegal by direction alone, but because the attacker’s body and stick are usually between the tackler and the ball, a tackle from directly behind almost always involves contact or obstruction.
Legal vs illegal tackles from behind
| Situation | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reaching past the attacker’s legs to poke the ball | Foul | High risk of contact with legs or stick |
| Hitting the attacker’s stick while trying to reach the ball | Foul | Stick contact is not allowed |
| Running alongside and tackling from the side | Legal if clean | You can see and reach the ball without contact |
| Ball is clearly away from the attacker and you win it cleanly | Legal | No contact and the ball was playable |
| Pushing or leaning on the attacker to reach the ball | Foul | Physical contact is not allowed |
What umpires look for
- Whether the tackler played the ball first and cleanly.
- Whether there was any contact with the stick, body or feet.
- Whether the tackle was dangerous or reckless.
- Whether the tackler obstructed the attacker’s path.
- Whether the foul was deliberate, especially near or inside the circle.
Penalties
A foul tackle usually leads to a free hit for the attacking team. Inside the defending team’s circle, a foul by a defender may lead to a penalty corner, and a foul that prevents a probable goal may lead to a penalty stroke. Umpires can also issue cards: a green card for a warning or short suspension, a yellow card for a longer temporary suspension, and a red card for permanent suspension, depending on the severity and whether the foul was deliberate or dangerous. Tackles from behind in the circle are often treated seriously because they can deny scoring chances.
Card durations and penalties vary between competitions. Check the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Rules of Hockey and your national or school association’s rules for exact standards.
How to defend legally when chasing
- Recover goal side: sprint to get between the attacker and the goal.
- Move alongside: run parallel to the attacker, usually on their open side.
- Stay patient: wait for the attacker to lose close control.
- Tackle from the side: place your stick in the ball’s path without contact.
- Channel them: if you cannot tackle, steer them away from goal until help arrives.
Drills to practise
- Recovery runs: start behind an attacker and practise getting goal side.
- Side tackles: practise block and jab tackles from alongside.
- Channel drills: defend in a channel, forcing the attacker wide without tackling.
- Small-sided games: reward clean tackles and penalise contact.
Common mistakes
- Reaching around the attacker: leads to stick or leg contact.
- Diving in from behind: dangerous and often penalised.
- Giving up the chase: recovering goal side gives better chances than lunging.
- Fouling in the circle: gives away penalty corners or strokes.
- Ignoring the umpire’s warnings: repeated fouls lead to cards.
Field hockey uses hard sticks and balls. Tackle within the rules to protect both players, and wear shin guards and a mouthguard.
Common situations and legal responses
| Situation | Legal response |
|---|---|
| Attacker breaks away down the sideline | Sprint goal side, run parallel, tackle from the side |
| Attacker shields the ball near the backline | Stay patient; do not reach around their body |
| Attacker entering the circle | Delay and channel; avoid a rushed tackle that risks a penalty corner |
| Loose ball between you and the attacker | Play the ball cleanly without contacting the attacker |
Why umpires penalise tackles from behind
Tackles from behind are dangerous because the attacker cannot see the tackle coming and cannot protect themselves. Sticks can strike ankles and legs, and players can trip or fall awkwardly. That is why umpires watch these tackles closely and often escalate to cards for repeated or reckless attempts. Understanding the safety reason helps players accept the rule and change their defending habits.
Coaching tips
Coaches can reduce tackles from behind by teaching recovery runs, rewarding patience and channelling in drills, and showing video of good and bad tackles. Small-sided games where contact fouls give the opponent a big advantage encourage players to defend cleanly.
How tackles from behind differ in indoor hockey
Indoor hockey is played in a smaller space with sticks close to feet and bodies, so umpires often apply contact and obstruction rules strictly. Defenders should stay patient, keep sticks low and avoid reaching past attackers. The same principles of goal-side positioning and side-on tackling apply, but players have less room to recover if beaten.
Youth and school rules
Some youth and school competitions add safety modifications, such as stricter penalties for dangerous tackles or restrictions on certain types of play. Coaches should explain these to young players and teach clean tackling habits from the start.
Clean defending also builds trust with umpires, who are more likely to give the benefit of the doubt to players known for fair tackles.
When in doubt, stay on your feet, stay goal side and let the attacker make the mistake. Most turnovers come from patience rather than risky tackles from behind.
Frequently asked questions
Is tackling from behind illegal in field hockey?
Not by direction alone, but any contact with the player or stick, or obstruction, is a foul, which makes most tackles from behind illegal in practice.
What happens if you foul in the circle?
A defender’s foul in the circle can lead to a penalty corner, or a penalty stroke if it prevented a probable goal.
How can I win the ball when chasing an attacker?
Recover goal side or alongside, stay patient and tackle from the side when the ball is away from their stick.
