Field Hockey
Field Hockey Study Sheet
History
Drawings in a tomb in the Nile Valley that are over 4,000 years old show the earliest evidence of the sporting use of curved sticks. The ancient Greeks held competitions using sticks during the Olympics, thousands of years later. Centuries later, French shepherds played a stick game called hoque. Despite these early starts, modern field hockey is credited to the British for their efforts to create uniform rules during the 19th century. The Irish, Scots, British, and Welsh played hurley, shinty, hockie, and ban, games that all used sticks but had their own rules. The British standardized them in the late 1800s, which is when field hockey began looking like the game played today. The British love of the game crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1901 with Constance Applebee. Horrified by what she saw as passing for womens activity at a summer seminar at Harvard, Applebee introduced field hockey to the Harvard women. She is also credited with introducing field hockey to Wellesley, Smith, Radcliffe, Mount Holyoke, and Bryn Mawr. Official competitions began in Philadelphia at the Merion Cricket Club. Since 1902, the Merion Cricket Club has hosted an annual competition between their club and players from Bryn Mawr. Field hockey is an international game. It is played at all levels by all ages and by both sexes. The Internet is a wonderful source of information on the many organized clubs and leagues that specialize in field hockey.
Fun Facts
Mens field hockey began in 1928 when the Westchester Field Hockey Club of Rye, New York, played the Germantown Cricket Club near Philadelphia. Field hockey did not allow substitutions until 1992. Until then, the only time fresh players could enter the game was at halftime. Unlike most games, field hockey requires shooters to be inside a strike zone. The strike zone is marked by a semicircle 16 yards (14.5 meters) from the goal. One side of the stick is curved and the other is flat. Players can only advance the ball using the flat side of the stick. In field hockey, it is illegal to shield the ball with your body or stick. At one time, the game began with a bully. During the bully, two opposing players stood in the center of the field on either side of the ball. On the signal, they alternately tapped their sticks to the ground and then together. After the third tap, they could attempt to gain control of the ball. Now the only time the bully is used to put the ball back into play is after the two teams on the field commit simultaneous penalties. In that event, the bully only requires one tap.
Benefits
Field hockey provides a great workout. It is great fun to be part of a team. Playing outdoors on a grassy field is exhilarating.
Field Hockey Field With Starting Positions
The positions on this diagram (see figure 8.1) are the positions each player should go to at the start of the game and after a goal is scored.
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From Isobel Kleinman, 2009, Complete Physical Education Plans for Grades 5 to 12, Second Edition (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics).
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Field Hockey
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LHB LFB
LW
X Team
XG
CHB
CF
O Team
R RFB
Figure 8.1 Field hockey field with starting positions.
RHB
RW
Positions
E4198/Kleinman/Fig.08.01/320101/TimB/R2
Forwards Left wingThe left wing receives most passes, needs good foot speed, must have a good dribble, and must be able to drive the ball to the right. Left innerThis shooter needs to be in front of the goal during the inlet pass and to deflect or drive the ball into the goal. The left inner also must be able to push the ball off to the right. Center forwardThis is the leader of the attack, who directs it left, right, or center. The center forward must be in front of the goal to shoot when the inlet pass crosses the goal. Right innerThe primary job of the right inner is to score. Right wingThe right wing is the beneficiary of interceptions from opponents left wing and needs foot speed and good dribbling skills. Halfbacks Right halfbackMust keep up with opponents left wing, trying to stay between the left wing and the goal. Also needs good tackling skills. Left halfbackNeeds good tackling skills and to be able to pass forward and to the right. Center halfbackThe leader of the defense converts offense to defense and vice versa. The center halfback directs the attack to the left or right wings. Under special circumstances, the center halfback can go all the way into the strikers circle to score. Fullbacks RightThe right fullback must be able to clear the ball down and out with a strong drive and have a sense of where the goalposts are. The right fullback must also be prepared to cover for the halfback if the halfback is being overrun by opponents left wing. LeftSame as right halfback, but on opposite side. Goalie Must wear a helmet and leg, chest, and hand padding, and can legally block the ball with body and hands when inside the strikers circle. Goalies may only use their stick or feet to clear it.
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From Isobel Kleinman, 2009, Complete Physical Education Plans for Grades 5 to 12, Second Edition (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics).
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Field Hockey
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Rules
Procedures Start of game and after a goal begins in the center circle with a pass-back Balls going out of bounds -- Over the sidelinehit-in from where it went out -- Over the goal line -- By attacking teamput into play with a 16-yard (14.5-meter) hit -- By defending team (accidentally)penalty corner -- By defending team (intentionally)penalty shot at goal Fouls Obstruction (using body or stick to shield the ball) Using the round side of the stick Unsafe play caused by charging, hitting, pushing, tripping, or shoving Playing the ball with the stick in a dangerous way such as high sticks Interfering with opponents stick by hitting, hooking, or holding the stick Advancing the ball with anything other than the stick Stopping or deflecting the ball with the body Using the round side of the stick Shooting for goal outside the strikers circle
Penalties When the violation occurs on the playing field, a free hit is awarded to opponents on the spot. -- Opponents must be 5 yards (4.5 meters) off the ball. -- The ball must be stationary when struck. -- The hitter cannot replay the ball until another player touches it. When the violation occurs inside the strikers circle by the offense, the defense gets a 16-yard (14.5-meter) hit. When it occurs by the defense, the offense gets a penalty corner. When the violation is intentional, the offense gets a penalty shot. When the defense hits the ball over their goal line, the offense getes a corner hit. When the defense violates the rules to prevent a sure goal, the offense gets a penalty shot on goal. A player who exhibits a flagrant disregard for the safety of others can be suspended from play.
From Isobel Kleinman, 2009, Complete Physical Education Plans for Grades 5 to 12, Second Edition (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics).
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