12. Have any suggestions for a rules change ever been rejected?

In 2001, National Associations were invited to trial three possible rules changes: 

• the so called "3 up rule" in which at least three players of each team must not enter their defending 23 metres area;
• a "new" (long) corner (similar to current penalty corner)
• increasing the shooting zone to the 23 metres area.

Only the first has been retained for further trial – the others have been rejected.

Also considered in the past but not leading to permanent changes (although possibly to be re-considered some time in the future): 

• reducing the number of players on the pitch at any one time – for example from the current eleven to nine;
• awarding a "long corner" if the ball is intentionally played over the back-line by a defender – that is, instead of a penalty corner;
• variations on taking an attacking free hit in the 23 metres area – for example requiring all players to be 5 metres from the ball even when the free hit was more than five metres from the circle;
• permitting the ball to be raised directly but safely from a free hit;
• substitution at a Penalty Corner was initially permitted but was subsequently withdrawn from the rules.