At meetings towards the end of 2008, the FIH Executive Board agreed proposals from the Hockey Rules Board for rules changes in 2009.

One of the changes focuses on a “self-pass” from a free hit.  In essence, this enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball again after taking the free hit.  This will encourage free-flowing hockey.  An associated rule change will stop attacking free hits taken inside the 23 metres area from being played directly and potentially dangerously into the circle.  Both changes will be introduced as mandatory experimental rules with effect from 1 May 2009 for international hockey.

The detailed text for these rules is currently being drafted and will be published as soon as possible.  To ensure that application of these new rules is consistent and accurate, no more information about these rules will be published until the final rules text is available.