Frequently Asked Questions
During the season training is as follows:
Juniors 6 – 7pm subject to the weather
Seniors 7 -8pm and is held rain, hail or shine
Seasons Starts end of March 2016
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, money order or electronic funds transfer (online banking).
If using online banking please put your name and fees in the description field so your payment can be tracked.
Our BSB number is 032-710. Our account number is 104054.
The account name is Easts Hockey Club
- Hockey is played between two teams comprising 16 players, of whom 11 are on the field at any one time. The others rotate on and off in an interchange system.
- The aim of the game is to hit the ball into the opponents goal. The team which has scored the most goals at the end of the match is the winner.
- Each match is comprised of two 35-minute halves, and extra time can be played if matches are drawn.
- Hockey sticks are hook-shaped with a flat side and a rounded side. Players are only allowed to hit the ball with the flat side of the stick.
- Outfield players are not allowed to touch the ball with any part of their bodies, but the goalkeeper can use his or her body to block shots on goal, provided he or she does not stray out of the goal circle.
- Goals are scored when the ball crosses the goal line within the goal, but only count if theyëve been struck from within the goal circle, a D-shaped area made up by the goal line and a semi-circle 16-yards in diameter drawn from the centre of the goal line.
- Before the match, a coin is tossed. The winner of the toss chooses which direction to run in and the loser takes the centre pass to begin the game.
- At half-time the teams swap ends, and run in the opposite direction, and the team which won the toss takes the centre pass to begin the second half.
- Each time a centre pass is taken, the teams line up on their own sides of halfway and the a player hits the ball to a team-mate standing at least a metre away.
- When a team scores, the other team starts the play with a centre pass. Centre passes also begin play at the start of each period of extra time.
- If a ball travels over the sideline, a member of the team which did not touch it last hits the ball back into the field of play from the spot at which it crossed the line.
- If an attacking player hits the ball over the goal line but outside the goal posts, a defending player hits the ball in.
- If a defending player unintentionally hits the ball out over the goal line, the play is restarted with a long corner.
- An attacking player hits the ball in from a position on the goal line about five metres in from the corner flag.
- If a defender intentionally hits the ball out over the goal line, a penalty-corner is awarded.
- A penalty corner is taken from a mark on the goal line around nine metres from the nearest goalpost.
- The person taking the penalty corner hits it to a player outside the circle.
- The ball must come to a halt outside the circle before being passed to a player inside the circle who shoots for goal.
- When a penalty corner is taken, the defending team can place up to five players on the goal line.
- They can charge towards the ball once the penalty corner has been taken, trying to close down shooting opportunities.
- A penalty stroke can be awarded if a defender commits an offence inside the goal circle in order to prevent a goal from being scored, or prevent a player from having a genuine scoring opportunity.
- When a penalty stroke is awarded, an attacker places the ball on a spot 6.4 metres from the goal and has just the goalkeeper to beat in order to score.
- Players cannot lift their sticks above their heads or use them in a dangerous fashion.
- If a referee judges that a ball has been hit in the air in a dangerous manner, a free hit is awarded.
- Players can generally hit the ball in the air when shooting for goal.
- Players are prohibited from using their sticks or bodies to obstruct other players.
The name is derived from “MINi hocKEY”, and originated in Australia more than 20 years ago. It is currently offered in Under 7 and Under 9 variants throughout Australia, on more or less half sized fields, and with simplified rules.
The Field
The Minkey field is cut down and simplified version of the full hockey field.
Field markers
Each field shall have at least one marker at each corner, the centre line at each side, and 10 metres from each back line on each side. The goals should consist of a marker on each side, or some mechanism to catch the ball (at least half a metre deep).
Teams
Minkey teams are made up of 6 players (Under 7) or 7 players (Under 9), of mixed genders
Game time
Games consist of two fifteen minute periods.
Starting the game
- To start the game, a face off is taken on the centre line.
- Each team is required to be in their own half prior to the ball being pushed.
- After each goal, the non-scoring team restarts the game, with a face off on the centre line.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball is hit or pushed from within the opponents’ defensive zone, and then passes into or through the opponents’ goal.
Ball over back line or side line
- If the ball goes over the side line, the opposing team shall have a free push at the point where the ball crossed the line.
- If the ball goes over the back line, the opposing team shall have a free push on the 10 meter line opposite the point where the ball went over the back line.
Free hits
- A free hit (a free push for Under 7 games) is awarded to the opposing team for any player:
- raising the stick above waist height
- playing the ball deliberately with their feet or hands
- playing the ball deliberately with the rounded side of the stick
- raising the ball above knee height
- obstructing an opponent i.e. placing their body between the ball and the opponent
- criticising or ridiculing another player or the umpire
- hitting another player or the umpire, or another player’s stick with their own
- making up a third player playing the ball
- All players must be 5 metres away when a free hit is taken
- Accidental infringements in defensive zones result in a free hit to the opposing team on the 10 metre line, in line with the point where the infringement took place
Safety
In the interests of safety, the following shall apply:
- players are strongly encouraged to wear a mouth guard for both training and playing
- players are strongly encouraged to wear shin guards for both training and playing
- at no time should a player, coach or any other person at minkey swing a stick so that it is raised above waist height
- at no time shall more than six players (for Under 7s) or seven players (for Under 9s) be allowed on the field.