Field Hockey Study Guide
History
Games resembling hockey have been played since 2000 B.C. The
Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all left evidence of an
activity consistent with playing a game with a ball and sticks. The
modern game of field hockey evolved in England in the mid-19th
century.
Originally considered far too dangerous for female participation, field
hockey quickly became popular with women whose previous
introduction to sport included the "socially acceptable" outdoor
activities of croquette and lawn tennis. In 1901 a women named
Constant Applebee introduced the sport to the U.S. while attending a
seminar at Harvard.
The game of field hockey is played with 11 players on a team. They
usually play two 35-minute periods, with a 5-10 minute halftime. The
objective of the game is by using sticks, they try to get the ball into
the opposing team’s goal; each goal is worth 1 point. The game is
started with a bully between the 2 opposing centers. After the bully is
completed the ball remains in play and each team tries to send the
ball into the opponent’s goal for a score.
Positions on the field: There are 5 forwards, 3 halfbacks, 2 fullbacks
and 1 goalkeeper. The game is played in halves.
Skills and Terminology
GRIP/STANCE: knees bent, left hand at top of stick, right hand in the
middle of stick, stick at 45 degree angle, toe on ground.
CONTROL DRIBBLE: stick on ball, head up, keep ball close to you
with small
taps. Use when dribbling in a crowd.
SPEED (Loose) DRIBBLE: hit ball a few feet in front of you, run to
catch up with
ball. Use when dribbling to get down field, in the open with few people
around you.
INDIAN DRIBBLE: use the flat side of stick, push ball across the body
at a
diagonal, reverse stick to pull it back across. Use to get around a
defender
while dribbling.
PUSH PASS: use standard grip, feet behind the ball, stick on ball, no
back
swing, no noise, step and push ball, stop stick at waist height.
DRIVE: hands together at the top of the stick, waist to waist with back
swing and follow thru, head down over ball.
RECEIVING: stick at an angle away from you, “trap” the ball between
ground and stick, cushion the ball.
“L” DODGE: reverse stick, pull ball to right, hit past opponent on nonstick
side, explode past opponent to get ball.
“Y” DODGE: hit ball past opponent on non-stick side, explode around
opponent’s stick side, accelerate to get ball.
Parts of the Stick
The Hitting grip: In this grip you have both of your hands
together, near the top of the stick. This is used for most
types of hits as it gives you more power, but less control
The Standard grip: This grip is used for
most skills including trapping, pushing and
dribbling. In this grip you have your left
hand at the top of the stick, and your right
hand one-third to one-half of the way down
the stick depending on personal
preference.
Positions on the Field:
Forwards: Left Wing, Left Inner Forward, Center Forward, Right Inner Forward, Right Wing
Halfbacks: Left Halfback, Center Halfback, Right Halfbacks
Fullbacks: Left Fullback, Right Fullback
Violations/Fouls:
1. Using the rounded part of the stick. You can only use the flat side of the stick.
2. No Feet (Advancing the ball)– The field players are not allowed to use their feet or any other
parts of their body to control the ball. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use stick, hands, feet, etc,
to stop the ball when defending in their own shooting circle.
3. High Sticking: Stick may not come above your shoulders. (In class we play above the waist.)
4. Obstruction: not allowed to have your body in front of the ball. The opponent should be able to
get to the ball.
GENERAL RULES
1. All players are only allowed to use their sticks to touch the ball. (Exception:
The goalie
can touch the ball with any part of his/her body to save a shot)
2. If a penalty occurs, a “free hit” will be taken from the location where the penalty
or foul
occurred.
3. Advancing the ball – may not be done with the hand.
4. Raising the stick above shoulder level while playing the ball is not allowed.
5. Hooking an opponents stick will result in a foul.
6. Field players may only play the ball with the “face” of the stick (not the back
side).
FIELD LAYOUT
25 yd
50 yd
Long
hit
Penalty
stroke
line
16yds
Starting
circle
(Free
hit)
Alley