Simply Hockey

Filed under: hockey tips

For most countries field hockey is simply termed as hockey. Such moniker is only used when the word hockey is reserved as the standard term particularly in places where street or ice hockey is prevalent. Field hockey is a team sport with the objective of scoring by hitting or flicking a ball into the opponent’s goal using hockey sticks.

The long standing authority for field hockey is the International Hockey Federation or FIH. It overlooks the affairs of the sport in a global nature. The Hockey Rules Board is a branch of the FIH that provides the set of standards utilized for the games. There are numerous international hockey events held on a regular basis both for male and female. Some of which are the Olympic Games, the World Cups for Juniors, the annual Champions trophy, and the quadrennial Hockey World Cups.

The roster of competing teams is made up of 16 players but only 11 are allowed on the field during actual game play. Substitutions are unlimited throughout the match and can be done in different combinations as up to a maximum of five players can replace their teammates. During the awarding of a penalty substitutions are only allowed when the defending goalkeeper is suspended or a serious injury occurred.

Each match is under the watch of two umpires who are assigned to control each half of the field. This pair is assisted by a technical bench composed of a record keeper and timekeeper. Before the game commences, each captain participates in a coin toss. The winning side can either go for the ball or the starting end.

A game is made up of two halves each having 35 minutes. There is a five-minute lull that serves as the half-time break. Halves are kicked off via a pass done from the center field. This is also how play is restarted when a goal is made.

All players with the exception of the player initiating the pass must be positioned on their defensive side. The ball can be directed to any area in the field. The team that gives up the goal takes possession of the ball during the restarts.

The players of the team having ball possession are called attackers while the players of the opposing side are termed defenders. Attackers are prohibited from intentionally utilizing their body to ward off defenders. Defenders are allowed to tackle but they have to make sure that the move must be executed once the ball is in play. Players are penalized for making unnecessary contact after a tackle takes place.

There are three instances constituting the rule on obstruction. The first is when the defender places himself in between the player with possession and the ball. Second, the defender’s stick is placed between the attackers stick and the ball or touches the attackers body or stick. The third scenario which is called third party obstruction takes place when an opponent’s attempt to tackle a teammate with the ball is hindered.