Adelaide Hockey Club has been running a modified-rules hockey program since 1984. It commenced with 4 teams and now has up to 40 teams, with over 300 children participating.

Schools are notified of the playing schedule each year. The program generally commences in the second week of Term 2. Individuals who are interested need to contact their school's sports coordinator towards the end of Term 1.

Due to the large number of participants, we endeavour to match the age and ability level of the children so that the games are not too one-sided and are therefore more enjoyable.

For more information about the 2010 Minkey program please contact Pip Lippett on 84311074 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All Minkey and Half-Field games will be played in Park 17, off Greenhill Road (near the corner of Beaumont and Greenhill Roads), on Friday afternoons 4.00pm to 5.00pm. There are no games prior to long weekends or school holidays.

Remaining 2010 Dates:

July 31st

August 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

 Objectives of Minkey and Half-Field

The main objectives of modified rules sport are safety, enjoyment, learning skills, promoting good sportsmanship and interaction with other participants.

Rules of Minkey (Quarter Field)

Minkey is a modified version of 11-a-side hockey, designed for mixed teams of girls and boys, generally at lower primary school level.

It is played on a field which is one quarter the area of a regular field as shown in the following diagram.

There are 6 players on each team. The duration of play is 20 minutes each half, with a 5 minute half-time break. A longer break is optional and may be negotiated between teams' coaches.

This diagram shows the layout of the Minkey field.

* Players
- Six players per team, 3 forwards and 3 defence, L.W., C.F., R.W. - L.H.B., R.H.B., F.B.

* Pushing Only
- The ball must only be pushed, no hitting.

* Penalty corners
- There are no penalty corners, long corners or penalty strokes.

* Defenders
- Only three defenders may defend the goal in the 10 metre area when a free hit is to be taken by a member of the attacking team.

* Duration
- Duration of the game is two 20 minute halves with a 5 minute break at half-time.

Rules of Half-Field Hockey

Rules for Half-Field Hockey are basically the same as the current rules for 11-a-side hockey.

Players - Seven players per team, 3 forwards, 3 halfbacks and one full back, LW,CF,RW - LB,CHB,RHB and FB. If opposing teams would like to use an extra player each, they may do so by creating another forward position. Where one team is much stronger than the other, the weaker team could request permission to use extra reserves to make the game more enjoyable.

Penalty Corner - Penalty corners are awarded for unintentional breaches of rules by defenders within the 10 metre area. Only 3 players may defend a penalty corner; all other players of the defending team must stand behind the halfway line until the ball is played. Penalty corner marks for hit outs are on either side of the goals. Umpires need to visualise the approximate position of a circle when awarding corners. The ball must pass beyond the 10 metre area before being taken back inside for a shot at goal.

Long Corners - Long corners are awarded when the ball goes out over the goal line off a defender's stick. They are to be taken from a point near the corner of the field on the goal line by an attacker.

Penalty Push (Penalty stroke) - Penalty strokes are awarded for intentional breaches of rules by defenders in the 10 metre area. The ball should only be pushed along the ground (not lifted) from a point approximately 6 metres in front of goals. Only one player must defend a penalty push. All other players must stand behind the 10 metre line. The existing fullback should be allowed to defend the goal.

Duration - The game is two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute break at half time.

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General Rules

Safety -
This is the prime consideration. In Minkey games players are only allowed to push - no hitting. In Half Field Hockey the ball must be stopped before being hit. The ball must not be lifted dangerously. Sticks are not to be raised above shoulder height and swung around wildly. Reverse Stick hits or Tomahawks are dangerous at this age level, so are not permitted. Spectators behind the goal lines may be in danger of being hit by moving balls. It is safer to stand on the sidelines of the fields

Good Sportsmanship -
Players are to be encouraged to shake hands at completion of the game and to give three cheers to the opposition and three cheers to the umpire. Be dignified in both defeat and victory. High-fives, stick throwing and similar acts are put-downs for the opposition.

Coaches and Managers -
Teams need to have someone in charge. By mutual agreement each team may put an extra reserve on the field or borrow players from other teams when short. Modified Rules Sport allows a large degree of flexibility since the emphasis is on having fun and learning skills. Hopelessly one-sided games, eg. 10-nil or more, need to be avoided. Perhaps stop the game and even up the teams - swap places, take star players off, or shift goal scorers to the backline. Please avoid stacking your team in defence when the opposition team is in their attacking area near goal. This causes crowding and dangerous situations.

Free Hits -
When a free hit is being taken all players must be 3 metres away from the player with the ball. Free hits may not be taken any closer than 10 metres from the goal line (except penalty and long corners in Half-Field). The free hit must not be hit so hard as to intimidate the other players.

Goal Scoring -
A goal cannot be scored directly off a free-hit on the 10 metre line. The ball must be touched again by a player on the same team as the one taking the free hit, before a goal can be scored. To score a goal the ball must pass between the markers, not over the top of a marker, or touch a marker.

Body Contact -
If the ball hits the body or feet of a player, it is a breach of rules. However, the umpire may allow the game to continue if it is an advantageous situation. This allows the game to flow without too much interruption. In Half-field matches umpires should penalise this more heavily. 

Obstruction -
Preventing an opponent from playing the ball is not permitted. In Half-field matches umpires must penalise shepherding, bumping and stick obstruction.

Bad Language and arguing with umpires -
Will not be tolerated and offenders may be asked to leave the field. Umpires should send players off for 5 or 10 minutes for the offence.

Equipment -
The use of mouthguards and shin pads are essential. Sprigs are not necessary and may damage the fields. We do not use goalkeepers in our games; only fullbacks, so no player shall be permitted to have special goal-keeping privileges (kicking or handling the ball). Each team needs to supply a ball for one half of the match and players are required to provide their own sticks. Lightweight balls must be used for Minkey.

Notice Board -
The day's games are on the Noticeboard at the front of the Clubhouse, plus any other notices, so please read notice board carefully each week

Umpires -
Umpires give their time enthusiastically each week and without them this program could not continue. Please given them your support; they are aiming to do their best. Coaches may offer assistance if necessary. Umpires are encouraged to allow the game to flow as much as possible with safety as the main priority.

General Guidelines and Game Day Information

Notice Board -
Games to commence no later than 4.15pm. Please read notice board carefully each week.

Markers -
Umpires assisted by coaches or managers may help to collect the field markers and return them to the clubhouse after the game.

Team Rotation -
Teams and umpires shall be rotated onto different fields as often as possible during the season.

Wet Weather -
Players, spectators, coaches, umpires, etc. are advised to bring waterproof clothing, umbrellas, etc. Matches are unlikely to be cancelled due to rain unless it is continuous and heavy, and players, spectators and officials are very cold. The two coaches should promptly meet and decide what to do.

First Aid -
A First Aid kit and ice will be in the clubhouse each week. Teams should also bring their own first-aid kit.

Guidelines for Umpires

Umpires give their time enthusiastically each week and without them this program could not continue.

• Umpires are encouraged to allow the game to flow as much as possible with safety as the main priority. Please control dangerous play. The ball must not be lifted dangerously and sticks are not to be raised above shoulder height and swung around wildly. Reverse Stick hits or Tomahawks are not permitted.
• Explain the reason for your decisions to the players.
• Blow your whistle loudly.
• Be decisive and give clear hand signals to the players.
• Coaches may offer assistance if necessary.

Half Field Hockey - an explanation 

Half-field hockey is played on an area half the size of a regular 11-a-side field.

There are 7 players on each team. The game is generally like normal hockey, just smaller.

Each half is of 25 minutes duration with a 5 min. half-time break. A longer break is optional and may be negotiated between the teams' coaches.