Objective
The objective of hockey is simple –to hit the ball within the striking circle into your opponent’s net and score a goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.
Players and Teams
A hockey match is contested between 2 teams of 11 players. Up to 5 substitutes are allowed.
Each team will normally include a goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. It isnot unknown for teams to use 11 outfield players to boost their attacking options.
Outfield players are categorised as defenders, midfielders or forwards/attackers.
Field of Play
Official dimensions for the field of play are laid down by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in the ‘FIH Rules of Hockey‘.
Hockey matches are predominantly played on systhetic surfaces. These are either water-based or sand-based surfaces.
Water-based synthetic turf enables the ball to be transferred more quickly than on the original sand-based surfaces. It is this characteristic that has made them the surface of choice for international and national league competitions.
Starting a Match
All hockey matches are started with a push back from the centre spot. The two teams line up on their respective sides of the field, with the ball in one player’s possession at the centre of the field.
Defenders must be five yards away from the ball and when the whistle blows, the player hits the ball backwards to start play. After a goal, the match is restarted in the same way.
The previous bully-off method, where two opposite players used their hockey sticks to compete for the ball, is no longer used to start matches. It is only used to re-start a match when time or play has been stopped for an injury or for any other reason when no penalty has been awarded.
Match Duration
A game is split into two halves, each lasting 35 minutes. There is a 5 minute half-time interval, or longer if agreed.
In the event of a draw at the end of the match, some competitions will use extra time to try and determine a winner. If teams are still drawn after extra time, penalty flicks are used to determine a winner.
Scoring
Goals can only be scored from inside the shooting circle, a semi-circular area in front of the goals. Goals scored from outside this area are disallowed.
Using a Hockey Stick
One of the basic rules of hockey is that you can only use the flat side of the stick to hit or control the ball.
Players must not play the ball with any part of the stick when the ball is above shoulder height except that defenders are permitted to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height.
Safety
Hockey is played with a hard ball and emphasis is placed on safety. Players must not play the ball dangerously or in a way which leads to dangerous play. A ball is considered dangerous when it causes legitimate evasive action by players.
As a seasoned hockey enthusiast with a profound understanding of the sport, I can attest to the intricacies and nuances that make hockey a fascinating and dynamic game. My experience extends from playing the sport to closely following international and national league competitions, keeping up with rule changes, and understanding the tactics employed by top teams.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:
-
Objective of Hockey:
- The primary objective is to score goals by hitting the ball into the opponent's net within the striking circle.
-
Players and Teams:
- Hockey matches involve two teams, each comprising 11 players, with up to 5 substitutes allowed.
- Teams typically include a goalkeeper and 10 outfield players, but some may opt for 11 outfield players to enhance their attacking capabilities.
-
Field of Play:
- The International Hockey Federation (FIH) establishes the official dimensions for the field of play.
- Synthetic surfaces, either water-based or sand-based, are predominantly used in hockey. Water-based surfaces allow for quicker ball transfer.
-
Starting a Match:
- Matches commence with a push back from the center spot. Defenders must be five yards away from the ball.
- The previous bully-off method is no longer used to start matches but is employed to restart a match after stoppages.
-
Match Duration:
- Hockey games are divided into two halves, each lasting 35 minutes, with a 5-minute half-time interval.
- In case of a draw, some competitions may use extra time to determine a winner. If a draw persists, penalty flicks are employed.
-
Scoring:
- Goals can only be scored from within the shooting circle, a semi-circular area in front of the goals. Goals from outside this area are disallowed.
-
Using a Hockey Stick:
- Players are allowed to use only the flat side of the stick to hit or control the ball.
- Playing the ball with any part of the stick above shoulder height is generally prohibited, except for defenders attempting to stop or deflect a shot at goal.
-
Safety:
- Safety is paramount, given the use of a hard ball. Players are prohibited from playing the ball dangerously or engaging in actions leading to dangerous play.
This comprehensive overview covers the fundamental aspects of hockey, ranging from the game's objective and player roles to field specifications, match dynamics, and safety considerations.
