Field hockey is a popular sport played around the world by both men and women. Referred to as just hockey in some countries, it is played from amateur levels all the way to the Olympics. The game grew from English schools in the 19th century and is now played all over the world.

A field hockey playing surface is measured at 100 x 60 yards. A field goal is placed at each end of the field and is measured 7 meters wide by 12 meters tall. Although traditional fields used either grass or sand most games today are played on artificial turf. Equipment used in field hockey includes mouth guards, a field hockey stick and sometimes turf shoes. Many players may also use shin guards to protect themselves from a ball being hit against their shins and sometimes goggles to protect their eyes from the ball. A goal tender may also wear further protect gear including a helmet and or goalie pads.

General Play

The purpose of the game is for one team to score on the other team’s opposing goal, which is protected by the goal tender. The team scores a goal when they score on the other teams goal. The team at the end of the game with the most goals wins. The game is officiated by two umpires. Players must only play the ball with there stick. They must also not use their body to touch the ball or tackle or touch another player. An official awards the following cards to players to warn or suspend players for improper play. A green card is a warning, yellow is a temporary suspension and a red card is a permanent exclusion from the game.

Tournaments and Play

The biggest tournaments are the Olympics and the Field Hockey World Cup. The Olympics tournament and the World Cup take place every four years. The most dominant teams in the World cup have traditionally been Indian and Pakistan. However, in more recent years Germany, Australia and the Netherlands have also been traditionally strong.