Rules
  • Click here: NFHS/FIH Field Hockey Rules will be used with slight modifications as noted here-in. A pre-game meeting between the Umpires, Coaches and CSMG site director will occur before the start of each game to discuss any rule clarifications.
    • 12U 14U 16U NHFS/FIH Rules,
    • 18U HS, 19U Club, 19&+ Open: FIH Rules
  • MANDATORY: Mouth Guards  MUST be worn - including the goalie
  • Protective eyewear is optional for all divisions. If worn it must meet field hockey ASTM standards.
  • Game Length - One (1) Twenty-Five (25) minute game running time - No team time outs. Officials will award a "free" water break if the weather deems it appropriate. Coaching is allowed at this time
  • Coin Toss - Home and Away teams will be determined by coin toss conducted by the Official or Administrative Staff
  • Dangerous Play/Raised Ball - Notes
    • Players must not intentionally raise the ball from a hit except for a shot on goal
    • A flick, scoop, or sweep towards an opponent within 5 meters is considered dangerous. If an opponent is clearly running into the shot or into the attacker without attempting to play the ball with her stick, they will be penalized for dangerous play
    • A raised ball must be judged explicitly on whether or not it is raised intentionally. It is not a foul to raise the ball unintentionally from a hit, including a free hit, anywhere on the field unless it is deemed dangerous by the umpire. If the ball is intentionally raised over an opponent's stick or body on the ground, even within the the circle, it is permitted unless judged to be dangerous.
  • Defensive players not involved in corners, must lineup at the football hash marks beyond the center of the field
  • Seeding Teams will earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. If there is a tie in determining team placement, the following steps will be taken to break the tie: 
  1. Head to Head Record
  2. Runs allowed
  3. Runs scored
  4. Total Runs Allowed per Inning starting with the 1st inning (All Preliminary Round Games)
  5. Coin toss 
Multi-Team (3+) The tie breaking system above will be used (in order) until the highest seeded team is determined. Once the highest seed is determined, the remaining tied teams will RESTART the above process from the BEGINNING of the tie breaking system.
 
Overtime: 
  • 12&U, 14U & 16&U  - NFHS rules/FIH 
    • No overtime for preliminary round and play- in games - games will end in a tie
  • 18& U HS, 19&U Club, 19&Over Open:
    • Preliminary (Seeding) round games - no overtime, games will end in a tie. 
    • Play -in Games - If  the game is tied at the end of regulation time  - One series of five (5) strokes in the order presented to the officials, then sudden victory.
  • Medal round games - All Divisions - ending in a tie will end in a Shoot Out per FIH Rules. 
  • Standings - will be posted online shortly after the conclusion of each game. PLEASE CHECK THESE REGULARLY​
  • Coaches must complete their roster online, ensure athlete info has been completed online, and provide proof of age.
  • Rosters 14 player Max, 1 Coach, 1 Assistant Coach, 1 Scorekeeper  
    • ​Teams will not be allowed to switch/move players to other teams without prior mutual consent between coaches and the CSMG administration. Teams engaging in this behavior will be expelled from the tournament.
    • Open Division teams still cannot carry men on their team due to parental, coach, and officials concerns 
    • Score Keeper - All teams are required to provide an official score keeper as part of your roster for each game. We strongly recommend that the score keeper be an adult. The home team's score keeper will be the official score keeper for that game and should sit with with the administration and volunteers at the scorer's table or tent during the contest as facilities allow. The visiting team will keep score as a secondary or back up score book.
  • Team Check-Ins - Prior to the first game of the tournament each team will be required to have their roster, waiver info and proof of age checked by the Site Director at that location. If proof of age hasn't been pre-submitted to the CSMG , plan to arrive 15 minutes early to your first game to avoid delays. 
  • Equipment & Roster Checks will be administered at the same time with the game official present. Coaches are responsible to ensure their players are properly equipped. 
  • Age Challenges - 
    • Age challenges MUST be launched by COACHING STAFF to the OFFICIALS. We encourage this is done PRIOR to the start of the tournament or ANY game. 
    • An age challenge launched at the conclusion of any game(s) or while a game is in play will have NO effect upon the results of those games, tournament standings etc. 
    • Coaches are REQUIRED to have proof of age with them at each game. If pre-submitted to CSMG, copies will be at the check in tent for officials to retrieve. The athlete will NOT play in that or any subsequent game until proof of age is produced. 
  • Forfeitures - A team may not intentionally forfeit a contest even though the game may have no consequence on the seeding of the tournament at the conclusion of round robin play. Any team intentionally forfeiting a contest will be disqualified from further competition and the remaining teams will be re-seeded.
  •  Inclement Weather -  in the event of inclement weather, the ShopRite® Nutmeg Sate Games Administration reserves the right to modify the schedule and all tournament rules in order to safely and fairly complete the tournament successfully. No refunds due inclement weather rescheduling.
  • Grace Period - All teams will be given a 15 minute grace period beginning at the start time of their scheduled game. At the end of 15 minutes if a team representative has not contacted/responded to the CMSG administration trying to reach them, a forfeit will be declared. All decisions are made IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR ATHLETES. Stay in Communication!
  • Practice vs Game balls -  Teams are to provide their own practice balls. Game balls will be provided by the Administration
  • Ejections: Any player or coach ejected from a game (RED CARD) may not participate in the remainder of the tournament. Any player or coach receiving 2 yellow cards will be suspended from playing in the next scheduled game. 
  • The tournament director has the right to alter rules, bylaws and bracket structure as needed to ensure safe
Notice: The Nutmeg State Games cooperates with the United States Olympic Committee, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic  Conference, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Congress of State Games. All athletes/coaches should realize that each is responsible to make certain he/she is not in violation of existing rules and regulations. All athletes must be amateurs are defined by the Nutmeg State Games and/or a National Governing Body rules for their particular sport. 
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