Hockey
The
game of field hockey is played on a rectangular
field which is 100 yards (91.4 m) long and 60 yards
(55 m) wide and is divided by a center line and
a 25 yard line in each half of the field. The game
is played on both grass fields and on watered down
artificial turf (astro) although, for serious play,
only astro is used because it is totally flat and
obviously far faster than grass. The goal cages
are 4 yards/12 feet (3.66 m) wide and 7 feet (2.13
m) high and there is a striking circle measured
out 16 yards from each goal post. This striking
circle (semi-circle) is also known as 'the circle'
or the 'D' and a goal can only be scored from a
shot taken within this semi-circle. The ball cannot
be lifted into the circle but must be brought in
on the ground.
Game Length
A
field hockey game consists of two halves of 35 minutes
with an intermission of 5-10 minutes. The game is
continuous (as in soccer) with no time-outs, until
a call by one of the two umpires (there is one umpire
for each side of the field) or delay because of
an injury. Although goals occur more frequently
than in soccer (a game which hockey is sometimes
compared with: 'soccer with sticks'), field hockey
is usually relatively low scoring.
Team
Size/Objective
The
game is played by two teams of 11 players - 10 players
and 1 goaltender. Although there are set positions
(forwards, backs, wings etc.) the composition of
any team is at the discretion of the coach (what
positions players play at). The object of the game
(not that surprisingly) is to have scored more goals
than your opponents by the game's end, with one
point being awarded for each goal scored as in most
games of this nature.
The
Field Hockey Stick
The structure of a field hockey stick can be roughly
divided into three sections: the handle, shaft,
and toe (or head). The handle or grip of the stick
is round, while the shaft and toe have contour.
The left side of both the shaft and the toe are
flat, while the right side is rounded. Players are
only allowed to use the flat side of the stick to
play the ball.
Sorry to all you lefties - there are no left-handed
sticks.
The common field hockey stick is composed of hard
wood, wrapped and reinforced by protective materials
such carbon, fiberglass, Kevlar or ceramic. However,
also currently becoming popular are composite and
semi-composite sticks, either made completely or
partially out of synthetic materials.
The length and weight of a field hockey stick depends
on the height of the person and also the functionality
of the position they play. Also the shape and length
of the toe of the stick can vary to certain degrees.
Brief
Summary of Basic Player Conduct
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