Hockey

The Men's and Women's teams are split into two pools. After pool play, the top two teams from each pool (based on points) progress to the semi-finals. The winners of each semi-final play in the gold medal match. The losers of each semi-final play in the bronze medal match. All remaining teams play-off for a final position in the tournament.

Rules of play

• Long corner - Awarded to attacking team when the ball is accidentally hit out the back line by the defending team. Free hit taken from the 25 yd line.

• Substitution - A player can replace a team-mate on the pitch any number of times and at any point in the match, except when a penalty corner is being taken. 

• Goals - Ball must be hit or touched in the goal circle by the attacking team, and must pass over the goal line. If a field goal (ie, a goal scored from open, continuous play), then the ball can hit the net or back board. If a penalty corner, then the ball must strike the back board if the shot is hit, but if it is drag-flicked then it can be higher than the board and hit the net.

• Free hit - Awarded to a player when there is an infringement by an opposing player. The 5m rule applies – all players have to be 5m away from the player taking the free hit, and the ball must travel 5m before it can be passed to another player.

• Penalty corner - Awarded to attacking team when there is accidental infraction by a defender or goalie in the circle, or an intentional infraction inside the 25 yard line, or the defender intentionally hits the ball out the back line.

• How it is played out - Five defenders behind goal line; ball pushed out by attacker from point 10 yds from post (any side), defenders can run out after ball; ball must move outside the circle and then go back inside before a shot at goal taken. If shot is HIT it must be not be higher than backboard (18") – if FLICKED it can be higher. 

• Penalty stroke - Awarded to the attacking team when there is intentional infraction in the circle or an unintentional infraction preventing a sure goal.

• How it is played out - Time-out called. All players behind 25 yd line except goalie and striker. Goalie stationary with heels on line. When umpire sees both goalie and striker are 'ready' – blows whistle. Striker must start behind ball and must then push or flick ball – not hit. If Goalie saves the ball or striker misses goal, defending team receives a 16 yd hit.

Cards - So what do the 'cards' mean?

• Green card (You're off for 2 minutes) - A card signifying the umpire has suspended a player.

• Yellow card (You're off for 5 or 10 minutes) - A card signifying the umpire has suspended a player. The umpire indicates the length of suspension by signaling one hand or two hands.

• Red card (You're off for good) - A card shown by the umpire to suspend a player for the rest of the game. 

Other terms you may not know

• Bully - A method of restarting play following a stoppage not caused by a breach. Two players face each other, and tap their sticks on the ground and together before contesting the ball.

• Circle - Short for the "striking circle", "goal circle" or "shooting circle" or "D" – a D-shaped area in front of each goal. An attacker must take a shot from inside the circle to score a goal.

• Drag-flick - Drag-flicking is a scoring technique and is used as a variant to the "straight shot" or hit. The drag-flick is classified as a push as the player drags the ball a small distance before flicking it towards the goal. Drag-flicks are especially common during penalty corners.

• Field goal - A goal scored from open, continuous play.

• Hit-in - A free hit from the sideline after the ball has gone out of play over the line. It is taken by the team not last to touch the ball.

• Obstruction - The offence of using the body or stick to shield or hinder another player from hitting the ball, or of physically interfering with an opposing player.