Introduction

The origin of field hockey is known to be dated back to many years. Basically it is played on grassy grounds but with the change in times, it is now played on sand based surface and water based turf. Nowadays, the game of hockey is also organized on synthetic surface as during the Olympiads. Hockey can be defined as a sport with two teams and a curved stick is used by either of the team players to hit a small ball on the pitch. The target of the team is to put the ball into the goal with the help of hockey sticks.

Hockey Teams

Each of the team to play field hockey is constituted of 11 players and can have 5 substitutes. There is the flexibility of making use of substitutes as much time as the team wants to be during the match.

Hockey Player Positions

The position of the players in the team is categorized as defenders, midfielders and attackers, also known as the field players. The goalkeeper has a definite role of protecting the goal whereas all the other field players play the role of attacking or defending on the field and the midfielders play both the roles.

Hockey Stick Handling

To handle the hockey stick efficiently is an essential skill while playing the game. The player has to be perfect into the ability to control, pass and shoot the ball. Every hockey stick has a round and a flat side and player is required to hit the ball with the flat side only, that's why the skill of art-work is necessary to play field hockey perfectly.

Air Ball

While playing a general hockey game, hitting the ball high up in the air is not allowed by the players. They should lift the ball by scooping and it should not be played if it is above the height of player's shoulder. It can be lifted high in the case if the player attempts this raise for blocking a ball shot on goal.

Hockey Scoring Rules

The various methods used for hockey scoring are field goal, penalty corner and penalty score. Field goal is referred as a goal from open play. Penalty corner is done when any team breaks rule within the shooting circle or if a bad foul is conducted. Penalty stroke is awarded when a defender player commits a foul resulting into the prevention of goal from scoring.

Hockey Umpires

The two Umpires are there in the game, each one of them keeping control over half of the portion of the pitch and taking appropriate decisions.