Minkey (Mini Hockey)

Minkey is a modified form of field hockey for primary school children. The name is derived from "MINi hocKEY", and originated in Australia more than 20 years ago. It is currently offered in Under 7 and Under 9 variants throughout Australia, on more or less half sized fields, and with simplified rules.

The field

The Minkey field is cut down and simplified version of the full hockey field.

The dimensions of the field are as follows:

Field markers

Each field shall have at least one marker at each corner, the centre line at each side, and 10 metres from each back line on each side. The goals should consist of a marker on each side, or some mechanism to catch the ball (at least half a metre deep).

Teams

Minkey teams are made up of 6 players (Under 7) or 7 players (Under 9), of mixed genders

Game time

Games consist of two fifteen minute periods.

tarting the game

* To start the game, a face off is taken on the centre line.
* Each team is required to be in their own half prior to the ball being pushed.
* After each goal, the non-scoring team restarts the game, with a face off on the centre line.

coring

A goal is scored when the ball is hit or pushed from within the opponents' defensive zone, and then passes into or through the opponents' goal.

Ball over back line or side line

* If the ball goes over the side line, the opposing team shall have a free push at the point where the ball crossed the line.
* If the ball goes over the back line, the opposing team shall have a free push on the 10 meter line opposite the point where the ball went over the back line.

Free hits

* A free hit (a free push for Under 7 games) is awarded to the opposing team for any player:
** raising the stick above waist height
** playing the ball deliberately with their feet or hands
** playing the ball deliberately with the rounded side of the stick
** raising the ball above knee height
** obstructing an opponent i.e. placing their body between the ball and the opponent
** criticising or ridiculing another player or the umpire
** hitting another player or the umpire, or another player's stick with their own
** making up a third player playing the ball
* All players must be 5 metres away when a free hit is taken
* Accidental infringements in defensive zones result in a free hit to the opposing team on the 10 metre line, in line with the point where the infringement took place

afety

In the interests of safety, the following shall apply:
* players are "strongly encouraged" to wear a mouth guard for both training and playing
* players are "strongly encouraged" to wear shin guards for both training and playing
* at no time should a player, coach or any other person at minkey swing a stick so that it is raised above waist height
* at no time shall more than six players (for Under 7s) or seven players (for Under 9s) be allowed on the field.