USA Field Hockey's Statement on Defensive Penalty Corner Face Masks

On January 27, 2025 the International Hockey Federation (FIH) informed all Continental and National Federations of an addition to the FIH Regulations, with immediate effect, making it mandatory to wear face masks when defending penalty corners in all FIH competitions. The FIH decision followed a recommendation from the FIH Health and Safety Committee, based on protecting athlete welfare and safety and given the evolution in the speed and power of the game, particularly during penalty corners.

In light of the above and following the FIH's strong recommendation that these regulations be adopted in Continental and National competitions, USA Field Hockey has considered our position and engaged with various stakeholders in determining the best path forward for us as an organization. We have come to the conclusion that adopting and incorporating the FIH Regulations within our USA Field Hockey Regulations is in the best interests of protecting athletes and maintaining safe play. This will be actioned in the coming weeks, with further details and information to follow in anticipation of our outdoor programming commencing in April 2025.

The National Indoor Tournaments and National Indoor Festival, held across three venues over three weekends and involving more than 820 teams, will take place in less than ten days. Given the proximity of these events and the late stage in our local season at which the FIH change has been made, we will not be changing our Regulations until after the indoor season has been completed on March 2, 2025. We continue, however, to strongly encourage the wearing of head or face protection by all players when defending penalty corners until such time as the change in regulations takes place.