How to play field Hockey?

Hockey is played by different countries all around the world. In countries like India, Pakistan, Netherland, New Zealand and Great Britain play Hockey as a mainstream sport. Hockey is also the national sport of India. It is also a part of the Olympics and is mostly attended by the audience. Did we talk much about its popularity before learning How to play it? Let us first also do a quick brief of the history of Hockey.

In the past, hockey is seen depicted on the walls of Egypt. A similar game like Hockey is played in Scotland which is called shinty. This game was played by several other countries and later was modernized by Egypt.  It is said to have its origin from an Indian game called ‘’Khido Khundi’’ which was played in Punjab. Later Ice Hockey was also introduced by Canada.

The objective of the game.

All you have to do is to hit a ball with a stick into a goal. Seems easy, right? But at the same time, there will be other opponents who will be there to stop you. You need to run with the ball to reach the goal and some more things which you will be guided in this article.

Once a team has made a goal they are awarded a point. At the end whoever has the number of points wins the game. If both the team have scored equal then it’s a draw.

Players and other Requirements.

Each team consists of 11 players. One player is reserved for goalkeeper while the other 10 are on out on the field. The ground is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide. At the two ends of the ground, there is a goal.

A hardball and a stick are used to play Hockey. The player is only allowed to use the flat side of the stick, any player using the back side can be sued and it will be considered as a foul.

The players wear shin pads and gum shields for protection. They wear a helmet to protect their head.

The goalkeeper needs to wear the highest number of shield pads. It includes a face pad, gloves, chest pad, and leg guard.


A goal is considered whenever the ball goes at the Goal end of the opponent side.

The more the number of goals you have will decide the chances of you to win the game.

The game duration is 35 minutes for each game with a 5 minutes break for rest in between.

If the number of goal till 70 minutes is the same then the game will end with a draw.

Some basic Rules of the game.

  • The hockey team is made up of 11 players with 6 substitutes.
  • Each player lands on the ground with a hockey stick.
  • A goal is considered when the ball hits the opponent side goal within 16-yard area.
  • The player is not allowed to use any other body part either than the stick to pass the ball.
  • One cannot do any physical attack on any player while the game is being played.
  • The player is not allowed to raise his stick above his waist height.
  • The player cannot hit the ball by the round side of the stick. He is only allowed to use the flat side.

This was all that you need to know about Field Hockey. Now it’s your turn to go out with the stick and ball gather your friends, make up a team and play this heart throbbing sport.

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