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Hockey

Tags: hockey ball stick

Hockey is of various types but here you will get information on field hockey which is played with a stick and a ball on a rectangular play-field. After Soccer & Cricket it is also become popular sport all over world. The game is popular among both males and females in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina.

History of Hockey

The Hockey is an ancient game played for many years in India. It is played with a stick and a ball. The rule of modern hockey was first codified in England and Scotland. The Blackheath Club in London was the first to be founded in 1861 and the first official matches were played so many years later. England and Ireland were first two countries, which played their first hockey match in 1894. The game hockey was introduce first time in 1900 and became an event of Olympic in 1908 for men only. The Women’s hockey became an Olympic event in 1980.

The International Hockey Federation (IHF) was founded in 1924 by seven European countries. Today, it has 126 member nations. The World Cup Hockey was started in 1971 for men & for women in 1974. It takes place after every four years.

Hockey is a national game of India. A hockey club was formed in Calcutta in 1885-86. Later on, clubs were formed in Bombay and Punjab. Bengal Hockey Association was formed in 1908. In India, the first national were held in 1928. India participated in the Olympic Games in 1928 and won the Gold Medal. India also won the Gold Medal in 1960 Olympic Games. India won the first Hockey World Cup in 1975.

General Rules of Hockey

The game is played between two teams of not more than 16 players each, but not more than 11 players (including 1 goal-keeper) of each team shall be on the field at the same time. The Substitution is permitted any time, except award and during the taking of penalty corner (it is only permitted in case of injury or suspension of the defending goal-keeper). Players are permitted to play the ball with the flat of the ‘face side’ and with the edges of the head and handle of the field hockey stick with the exception that, for reasons of safety, the ball may not be struck ‘hard’ with a forehand edge stroke, because of the difficulty of controlling the height and direction of the ball from that stroke. The duration of play is of 35 minutes each unless otherwise agreed and 5 to 10 min half-time (Interval). To Start a game, a coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss, has the choice whether which goal is to attack in the first-half of the match or to start the match with the centre pass. Direction of play is reversed in the second-half of the match. The flat side is always on the “natural” side for a right-handed person swinging the stick at the ball from right to left. Left-handed sticks are rare, but available; however they are pointless as the rules forbid their use in a game. To make a strike at the ball with a left-to-right swing the player must present the flat of the ‘face’ of the stick to the ball by ‘reversing’ the stick head, i.e. by turning the handle through approximately 180° (while a reverse edge hit would turn the stick head through approximately 90° from the position of an upright forehand stroke with the ‘face’ of the stick head).

hockey positions are discussed, notions of fluidity are very common. Each team can be fielded with a maximum of 11 players and will typically arrange themselves into forwards, midfielders, and defensive players (fullbacks) with players frequently moving between these lines with the flow of play. Each team may also play with:

* a goalkeeper who wears a different color shirt and full protective equipment comprising at least headgear, leg guards and kickers; this player is referred to in the rules as a goalkeeper; or

* a field player with goalkeeping privileges wearing a different color shirt and who may wear protective headgear (but not leg guards and kickers or other goalkeeping protective equipment) when inside their defending 23m area; they must wear protective headgear when defending a penalty corner or stroke; this player is referred to in the rules as a player with goalkeeping privileges; or

* Only field players; no player has goalkeeping privileges or wears a different color shirt; no player may wear protective headgear except a face mask when defending a penalty corner or stroke.

The goal is scored when (a) the ball is played in the circle by an attacker or offensive player and does not go outside the circle before passing completely over the goal-line and under the crossbar. (b) The ball may be played by  or touching the stick of body of defender, before or after being played in the circle by an attacker. (c) After a stoppage of play inside the circle, the ball must again be played from inside the circle by an attacker before  goal is to be scored. (d) A goal shall be awarded, if a goal-keeper breaches the penalty stroke rule preventing a goal being scored. (e) The team scoring the greater number of goals, shall be declared the winner.

Hockey players can only hit the ball with the flat side of their stick and must not raise the stick above shoulder height when playing the ball.

Hockey players (other than the goalkeeper) are not allowed to use their feet, or any other parts of the body, to control the ball at any time.

A goal can only be scored either from a field goal, a penalty corner, or from a penalty stroke. A field goal is a goal scored from open play, and can only be scored from inside the ‘striking circle’, in front of the opponent’s goal. If the hockey ball is hit from outside the circle and goes into the goal, it does not count as a goal.

Hockey players may not trip, push, charge, interfere with, or physically handle an opponent in any way. Hockey is a non-contact sport and all fouls result in a free hit or a ‘penalty corner’ for the non-offending team depending on where the infringement took place and the severity of the foul.

A number of different types of foul may be punished in a game of hockey. Some of the basic ones are Obstruction, Third-party obstruction, Advancing, Backsticks, Hockey stick interference, Undercutting, Sticks and many more.

Fouls in a hockey match can be punished in three main ways. These are as follows:

Free-hit: This is a free play awarded on any offenses that occurs outside of the scoring circle. It usually takes place at the location of the violation. All opposing players must stand at least 5 yards (4.6m) from where the hit is to be taken.  

Penalty corner: This is awarded to the attacking team when the defense either commits a foul inside the striking circle or intentionally hits the ball out-of-bounds over the end line. A penalty corner is taken by an attacking player at a spot on the end-line 10 yards (9.2m) away from the nearest goal post. All other attackers must stand outside the striking circle, while five defenders, including the goalkeeper, stand behind the end line until contact is made with the ball. Once the ball has been put in play, all players can rush into the circle to either defend or shoot the ball at the goal.

Penalty stroke: This is awarded to the attacking side when an offenses is committed by the defending side which is deemed to have prevented an almost certain goal. A penalty is taken 7 yards (6.4m) from goal, with the player having only the goalkeeper to beat.

There are two umpires on the hockey field, who are usually responsible for each half of the pitch. A player who breaches the rules, either by rough or dangerous play, misconduct, or intentional offenses, can be shown a card — either a green, yellow or red.

Green: This is an official warning given to the hockey player to not break the rules.

Yellow: This results in a hockey player being sent off the pitch for 5 minutes, following an offense.

Red: A red card results in an early shower and is given for more serious offense.

Specifications of Playfield & Related Sports Equipment

  • Length of Playfield: 91.40 m (100 yards)
  • Breadth of Playfield: 55.84 m (60 yards)
  • Number of players in a team: 11+5 (extras)
  • Officials : 2 Umpires
  • Duration of game: 2 halves of 35 min for men & 2 halves of 30 min for women
  • Diameter & Weight of the ball: diameter of 71.3 to 74.8 mm (2.81 to 2.94 inches) and a mass of 156 to 163 g (5.5 to 5.7 ounces)
  • Weight of the stick: 18 to 30 ounces
  • Measurement of Stick: In between 80 to 95 cm (31 to 38 inches)
  • Hockey Stick should pass through the ring with a diameter of 2 inches
  • Dimension of the goal-post: 3.66 m x 2.14 m
  • Penalty Stroke position: Through 6.40 m (7 yards) from goal line.
  • ‘’D’’ (Shooting-Circle): 14.63 m (16 yards).
  • Flag Posts: with a height between 1.20 m and 1.50 m
  • Equipment Required: Hockey Stick, Hockey ball, Shirts, Shoes for goal-keeper helmet, Leg guards, chest guards, padded shorts, heavily padded hand protectors, groin protectors, neck guards, arm guards are necessary protective equipment.

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