Field Hockey Game Rules

What is Field Hockey?

Field hockey is a team sport played with players of 11 people each consisting of two teams, the second most popular sport in the world after football. The goal of the game is to score a goal against the opposing team by controlling a hard ball with special sticks.

Basic rules of field hockey:

• Players: Each team has 11 players, 10 field players and 1 goalkeeper.
• Dimensions of the Field: The game is played in a rectangular area, 91.4 meters tall and 55 meters wide, usually covered with grass.
• Ball: A hard and small ball is used.
• Sticks: Special sticks with curved ends are used.
• Duration: The game consists of two cycles of 35 minutes.
• Goal: A goal becomes a goal by inserting the ball into the opponent’s goal.
• Rules: Players have to follow some rules, such as holding the ball with their hands, kicking or tripping opponents.

Benefits of field hockey:

• Endurance and fitness: Field hockey is a sport that works the whole body and helps improve endurance and fitness.
• Coordination and agility: Hand-eye coordination and agility are required to control the ball and hit it with the stick.
• Teamwork: Field hockey is a sport that promotes teamwork and communication.
• Strategic thinking: Players should use their strategic thinking skills to read the game and overcome opponent defense.

Where to play field hockey?

Field hockey is a sport played all over the world. It is especially popular in Europe, Australia and South America. There are also field hockey national teams and leagues in Turkey.

Field Hockey History

Field hockey has its origins in quite ancient times and date back to ancient civilizations. Egyptian paintings from 2050 BC depict figures that seem to play ball with sticks. Similar games were also seen among the ancient Greeks, Romans, Persians and Aztecs.

In the Middle Ages, various stick-ball games similar to hockey were played in Europe. In 1277, a hockey game played among the Aztecs in South America was also recorded.

The Birth of Modern Hockey:

17. In the century, the first traces of modern hockey began to be seen in England. In the 1840s, hockey began to become popular in English schools. The establishment of the first hockey club in London in 1861 was the first step in the institutionalization of this sport.

Introduction to Internationalization and the Olympics:

In 1895, the first international hockey tournament was held in England. In 1908, hockey was included in the Summer Olympics program.

Field Hockey in Turkey:

In Turkey, hockey started to spread by learning from the British in the 1920s. In 1948, the Turkish Hockey Federation was established. Our national team took part in the Helsinki Olympics for the first time in 1952.

Today Field Hockey:

Today, field hockey is played in more than 120 countries and is one of the 28 Olympic branches. Hockey, one of the most popular sports branches in the world, can be played by people of all ages.

How to Play Field Hockey?

Field hockey is a fast-paced and exciting team sport played in teams of 11 people each. The goal of the game is to score a goal against the opposing team by controlling a hard ball with special sticks.

Playground:

Field hockey is played in a rectangular area, 91.4 meters tall and 55 meters wide, usually covered with grass. In front of each castle is a semicircular ‘shoot area’.

Actors:

Each team has 11 players: 10 people play on the field and 1 goalkeeper protects the goal.

Purpose of the Game:

The goal of the game is to score a goal by putting the ball in the opposing team’s goal. The team that scores the most goals wins the match.

Game Rules:

• Players can control the ball with their sticks.
• It is forbidden to control the ball with any part of its body (feet, hands, body).
• It is forbidden to hit or push the opposing player with a stick.
• The flat part of the stick should be used to throw the ball into the goal.
• The ball becomes a goal when the ball is hit over the line between the goal posts and within a 16-yard area.
• If the foul is made within the 16 yard area, a goal can be scored from the given penalty corners.

Duration of the Game:

The game consists of two 35-minute halves, which is a 5-minute break between them. If the score is the same after 70 minutes, the game ends in a draw.

How Many People Is Field Hockey Played With?

Field hockey is played in two teams of 11 people each.

Each team traditionally has 5 offensive players, 5 defenders and 1 goalkeeper.

However, in some cases and leagues, the number of players and the field order may vary.

For example, indoor hockey has 6 players in each team, while beach hockey has 4 players in each team.

How to Make Field Hockey Numbers?

In order to score in field hockey, it is necessary to manage to completely pass the goal line of the opposing team. This means that any part of the ball crosses the goal line.

Basic Rules of Numbering:

• Ball Control: Players use their sticks to control the ball and move it forward.
• Passing: Passing and controlling the ball are important skills that require quick thinking and hand-eye coordination.
• Body Theme: Players can use their bodies to block their opponents. However, hard fouls and dangerous games are prohibited.
• Offside: The fact that an offensive player is closer to the opposing team’s goal line before the ball crosses the goal line is called offside, in which case the goal is considered invalid.
• Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper is responsible for protecting the goal to prevent the opposing team from scoring. The goalkeeper can only kick the ball from somewhere close to his field and control the shots against him with his hands.

Different Ways to Score:

• By dragging: The player can drag the ball with his stick to the goal and try to cross the goal line.
• Hit: The player can send the ball to the goal by hitting it with his stick and try to cross the goal line.
• Corner Kick: As a result of a rule violation made by the opposing team, the attacking team is given a corner kick. In the corner kick, the ball is placed in the corner of the goal line and a player in the attack tries to score a goal by hitting the ball against the goal.
• Penalty Kick: As a result of a serious rule violation by the opposing team, a penalty kick is given to the attacking team. In the penalty kick, the ball is placed 7 meters away from the goal line, and an attacking player tries to score by hitting the ball into the goal.

Field Hockey Basic Rules

Field hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport where two teams try to score a goal by throwing a hard ball at the opposing team’s goal with a stick. The game is popular in many parts of the world and also takes place in the Olympics.

Players and Field:

• Each team has 11 players: 10 players on the field and 1 goalkeeper.
• The game is played on a rectangular field.
• There is a castle at both ends of the field.

Purpose of the Game:

• The aim of the game is to score a goal by throwing the ball into the opponent’s goal.
• The team that scores the most goals wins the match.

Game Time:

• The game consists of two 25-minute circuits.
• A 5-minute break is taken between circuits.
• If the score is drawn, overtime circuits can be played.

Basic Rules:

• The ball can only be stopped and controlled by a hockey stick.
• No player other than the goalkeeper can play with any part of his body with the ball.
• Players should not touch the opponent and block their moves.
• Fouls are punished by a free kick or penalty kick.
• There is no offside rule.

Other Important Rules:

• The goalkeeper can only hit the ball with his foot when he is in his own shot area or stop the thrown balls by hand.
• Each team can make a limited number of substitutions throughout the game.
• Referees control the game and enforce the rules.

Field Hockey Equipments

In field hockey, a set of equipment is needed to minimize the risk of injury for players and to be able to play the game fairly. Field hockey equipment can be divided into three main categories:

Player Equipments

• Field hockey stick: Sticks are the most important piece of equipment that players use to drive and hit the ball. Various types of sticks are available for different skill levels and game positions.
• Field hockey ball: The ball is made of hard plastic and is hollow. Players ride and hit the ball with their sticks.
• Field hockey shoes: Shoes are designed to help players provide traction and stability on the field. It is important to wear field hockey shoes specially designed for field hockey fields.
• Guard equipment: Protective equipment helps protect players from injuries. Players need to wear helmets, mouth guards, glasses, shin guards and gloves.

Goalkeeper Equipments

• Goalkeeper shield: The shield is a large, rectangular equipment that the goalkeeper uses to protect the goal in the ball.
• Goalkeeper breastping: The chest helps to protect the goalkeeper’s chest and belly altogether.
• Goalkeeper pants: Pants help protect the goalkeeper’s legs in the whole.
• Goalkeeper shields: The galms help protect the goalkeeper’s hands and arms from the whole.
• Goalkeeper helmet: The helmet helps protect the goalkeeper’s head in the wholesale.

Referee Equipment

• Referee whistle: The referee uses a whistle to start, stop and foul the game.
• Referee flag: A flag is a flag that the referee uses to indicate fouls or other violations.
• Referee cards: Cards are the cards that referees use to give warnings and penalties to players.
• Referee time: The clock helps the referee to track the duration of the game.

Field hockey equipment is important to ensure that players play safely and enjoyably. Choosing the right equipment depends on the player’s skill level, game position and personal preferences.

Field Hockey Field Features

Field hockey fields are divided into two outdoors and in the halls. Both field types have their own unique dimensions and characteristics.

Outdoor Field Hockey Field Features:

• Dimensions:
  • According to the standards of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), it should be at least 91.40 meters in length and 55 meters in width.
  • In official tournaments, there must be at least 100 meters in length and 60 meters in width.
• Ground:
  • It should be made of synthetic grass.
  • The grass must be a FIH-approved type and designed to optimize the safety and performance of players.
• Castles:
  • Both castles should have a width of 3.66 meters and a height of 2.14 meters.
  • Castles should be placed 2.5 meters inside the field lines.
• Other:
  • The field should be surrounded by 50×50 mm eye spacing and 3.5 mm wall thickness, dipped galvanized and PVC coated wire mesh.
  • There should be enough floodlights for lighting around the site.

Hall Hockey Field Features:

• Dimensions:
  • It should be at least 36 meters long and 18 meters width.
  • In international tournaments, there must be at least 44 meters long and 22 meters in width.
• Ground:
  • It can be synthetic or wooden floor.
  • The floor must be a type approved by the International Indoor Hockey Federation (FIH Indoor) and should be designed to optimize the safety and performance of players.
• Castles:
  • Both castles should have 3 meters wide and 2 meters in height.
  • Castles should be placed 1.5 meters inside the field lines.
• Other:
  • The site should be surrounded by 40×40 mm eye spacing and 2 mm wall thickness, dip galvanized and PVC coated wire mesh.
  • There should be enough floodlights for lighting around the site.

Additional Features:

• Both field types should have player exchange areas, referee desks and penalty corners.
• The floor of the site should be flat and smooth and no water accumulates.
• For safety, there should be perimeter barriers around the site.

Field Hockey Terms

Playground:

• Field: Field hockey is played on a rectangular field. Field dimensions are 91.4 meters in length and 68.5 meters in width in international competitions.
• Goalkeeper Area: 25 meters rectangular area in front of both castles. The goalkeeper can only intervene in the ball with his foot in this area.
• Circle: The circular area in front of the castle. The balls entering this field must cross the goal line in order to be considered as goals.
• Side Lines: Long lines that determine the edges of the field.
• Middle Line: The line passing through the middle of the field. At the beginning of the game and after each goal, the ball is put into the game from here.

Actors:

• Goalkeeper: He is the only player in charge of protecting his castle. Only the goalkeeper can intervene with the ball with his foot and use special equipment.
• Defender: They are the players in charge of preventing the opponent team’s attacks and protecting the goal.
• Midfield: They are players who take part in both defense and attack.
• Striker: They are the players in charge of scoring goals.

Game:

• Ball: A small ball made of hard plastic and hollow.
• Stick: Made of wood or composite material, curved stick. Players drive, hit and control the ball with a stick.
• Goal: The ball is won by crossing the goal line from the circle.
• Driving: Pushing the ball on the ground with the stick.
• Don’t shoot: Lift the ball into the air with a stick and send it towards the goal.
• Pass: Don’t throw the ball to a teammate with a stick.
• Corner Kick: A hit given to the attacking team when the opposing team makes a violation.
• Free Kick: Hit as a result of a violation.
• Penalty Kick: The penalty shot given to the attacking team when the opponent team makes a serious violation in the goalkeeper area.

Other:

• Referee: It is the person who ensures that the rules of the game are followed and played fairly.
• Assistant Referee: They are the people who assist the referees and supervise the compliance with the rules of the game.
• Game Time: The game consists of two cycles of 25 minutes each.
• Winner: The team that scores the most goals at the end of the match wins.

Additional Terms

• Offside: The case that an attacker is closer to the ball than the last defender and the goalkeeper.
• Free Kick Circle: The circular area where free kicks are used.
• Bully: The situation where two players struggle with their sticks to win the ball.
• Roll-in: A method used to get the ball back into the game when it goes out of the field.
• Card: Cards given to players by referees that have sanctions such as being out of the game or getting a penalty.

Field Hockey Benefits

Field hockey is an enjoyable and beneficial sport for people of all ages, with many benefits both physically and mentally.

Physical Benefits:

• Improves cardiovascular health: Field hockey strengthens the cardiovascular system by increasing the heart rate and respiratory rate. Regular exercise reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart diseases, stroke and diabetes. It strengthens the muscles and increases endurance: It works the whole body by making different muscle groups work. It especially strengthens the leg, abdominal and arm muscles and increases endurance. It strengthens the bones: Movements such as carrying body weight and collision help strengthen the bones. It reduces the risk of developing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. It helps weight control: It is a very effective sport in terms of calorie burning. It helps to lose weight and maintain your ideal weight with regular exercise. It improves coordination and balance: Movements such as dribbling, ribbling and rusting improve hand-eye coordination and balance. Increases flexibility: Different stretching movements increase the flexibility of the joints and reduce the risk of injury.

Mental Benefits:

• It reduces stress and provides relief: Exercising reduces stress and provides relaxation by secreting the hormone of endorphin. Improves the ability to focus and concentration: It improves the ability to focus and concentration because it is a fast-paced sport. It increases self-confidence: It increases self-confidence to be a team play and the motivation to achieve success. It improves socialization and team spirit: It develops the ability to communicate with teammates and work together. It develops the ability to think and make quickly: Since the flow of the game is fast, it requires fast thinking and the right decision making.

People of all ages are suitable for playing field hockey. There are leagues and tournaments suitable for different skill levels. No special equipment is needed to play lawn hockey. You can play with comfortable clothes and sneakers. To start playing lawn hockey:

• You can join a field hockey club or team near you. You can take private lessons or take advantage of online resources. After learning the basic skills, you can play in leagues or tournaments.

Field Hockey Game Rules

Field hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport played in teams of 11 people each. The aim of the game is to score a goal against the opposite team by controlling a hard ball with sticks.

Players and Field:

• Each team has 11 players.
• The actors are lined up on the field according to different roles such as goalkeeper, defender and striker.
• The site is 100 meters long and 60 meters wide.

Basic Rules of the Game:

• The ball can only be controlled with the straight part of the stick.
• Players cannot stick to their opponents or touch them with their bodies.
• It is forbidden to hit the ball on the ground or keep it in the air.
• Players cannot stop the ball with any part of their own body (except the goalkeeper).
• The game consists of two cycles of 35 minutes, for 70 minutes.
• The winner is the team that scores the most goals.

Foul and Penalties:

• Violations of the rules are considered fouls and punished by a free kick or penalty kick.
• Serious fouls can be punished with a yellow or red card. The player who receives a red card is expelled from the game.

Other Important Rules:

• Players have to wear protective equipment such as helmets, mouth guards, glasses and shin guards.
• The game is governed by the referees.

Frequently Asked Questions?