Rule 40. Penalty 3 - 40 Yard Hit

In plain English

Penalty 3: undefended hit from 40 yards, opposite the goal.

• One free hit from 40 yards out, opposite the centre of the goal, with the whole hitting side behind the 40 yard line.
• It is taken in one stroke and with the intention of scoring.
• Mishit, misdirect or miss it and nobody on that side may play anything but a half shot - the stick head starting its downward swing below the hitter's shoulder - until a defender has hit or hit at the ball.
• The defence stands behind their back line, not between the posts and not behind the goal, until the ball is hit or hit at, and must not distract the striker on their final approach.
• Once the ball is live, no defender may come onto the field through the goalposts during that phase of play.

The free hit shall be taken in one stroke with the intent to score. If the player taking the hit mishits, misdirects or misses the ball, they or any member of their team may only hit or hit at the ball with a half shot...

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 40

Read rule 40 in the Blue Book 2026

How many times is the player allowed to hit or hit at the ball during a penalty 1?

• As many times as necessary
• Twice
• Three times
• Only once ✓

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

Where must the team facing the hit be positioned during the penalty shot?

• Behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal ✓
• In front of their goal
• On the sidelines
• Anywhere behind the midline

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

In Penalty 3, what kind of shot is allowed after a mishit, misdirect or miss of the ball by the player taking the free hit?

• A full shot
• A half shot, with the head of the stick starting the downward swing below the shoulder of the hitter ✓
• Any kind of shot as long as it is taken within 5 seconds
• A backhand shot

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

Where must the team facing the hit be positioned during a Penalty 3?

• Inside the goal until the ball is hit
• Behind their back line and inside the goal until the ball is hit
• Behind their back line but outside of the goal until the ball is hit ✓
• On their back line and outside of the goal until the ball is hit

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

What is a penalty 3?

• 30 yard hit
• 40 yard hit ✓
• 50 yard hit
• 60 yard hit

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

Penalty 4: What type of shot can the player and his team use if the player mishits, misdirects, or misses the ball during the free hit?

• A full shot
• A half shot ✓
• A quarter shot
• Any type of shot, there are no restrictions

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

Penalty 6: Can the team facing the hit approach the ball before it is hit or hit at?

• Yes, they can approach at any time
• No, they must wait until the ball has been hit or hit at ✓
• Yes, but only if they are more than 40 yards away
• No, they can never approach the ball

All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at.

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