What is Field Hockey?
Field hockey is played with two teams each with 11 members. The teams use crooked sticks and the object is to hit a ball into the opponent's goal net.
The playing field is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide and the game is usually played on the grass. However International matches are played on artificial turf. The goal is 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide and the shooting circle is 16 yards from the goal.
Field hockey was originally a European game, which originally was played in North American colleges and high schools. However, it's popularity grew and soon there were field hockey leagues throughout North America. This is a sport enjoyed by both men and women.
In many parts of the world it is simply referred to as hockey. Hockey is the oldest known stick and ball game which can be dated back to ancient times. Modern day hockey emerged during the 18th century in England within the schools which eventually resulted in the first club in 1849.
It was during the 1970s that competitions began to use artificial turf. It is quite amazing how this turf changed many of the aspects of the hockey game. Because of the change in speed new techniques and tactics had to be developed by all participating teams.
Each player has a stick that is just over 90 centimeters or 3 feet long. Traditionally it was made of wood but these days' sticks are found made out of Kevlar, carbon fibre, and fibre glass. The handle is rounded and flattened on one side with a hook at the bottom. The flat side on the hook is used to push or hit the ball.
Field hockey can get a little rough at times so players wear protective gear which includes a helmet, chest protector, neck guard, mouth guard, shin guards, and gloves.
The rules are quite simple. A player can only hit the ball with the flat side or edge of his or her stick. If the ball rises off the ground into a dangerous position the ump will turn the ball over to the opposing team for a free hit. The definition of a dangerous ball is totally dependent on the umps interpretation.
Just as in ice hockey, a player from each team is the assigned goalie or goalkeeper. The goalkeeper wears heavy protective gear including a helmet, chest guard, body amour, heavily padded gloves, foot guards, and leg guards.
The goalkeeper is allowed to stop the ball from entering the net with any part of their body or stick as long as they remain in the defensive circle.
The object is to play the ball into the shooting circle and then hit it into the net. There are two 35 minute halves and the team with the most goals wins.
There are plenty of tactics used to attempt to win, but the most common is the dribble. This is when the player controls the ball with their stick and runs pushing the ball along. The push is also a common tactic which is a result of the player using their wrists to push or flick the ball. Tackles occur when the player places their stick into the path of the ball. To avoid being tackled the carrier will either try to pass the ball to another player.
Of course there are plenty of other tactics used but you can quickly see field hockey resembles ice hockey in many ways. At the higher levels field hockey is a fast, high skilled sport, just like ice hockey.
There are many major tournaments held each year. The two biggest field hockey tournaments are the Olympic Games and the Hockey World Cup. Both are held every four years. There is also the Champions Trophy Cup which is held each year and involves the top six ranked teams from around the world.
This is an action packed, fun and enjoyable sport to watch. Both men and women participate in field hockey and in the tournaments. It's also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air.
So if ice hockey makes your blood curl and you long for the next game, you might want to check out field hockey. It can get those juices flowing too!
|
