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Hockey

The roots of hockey are buried deep in antiquity. Historical records show that a crude form of the game was played in Egypt 4,000 years ago and in Ethiopia around 1,000BC, whilst an ancient form of the game was also played in Iran in around 2,000BC. 
Various museums offer evidence that a form of the game was played by the Romans and Greeks as well as by the Aztecs several centuries before Columbus arrived in the New World.
The modern game of hockey emerged in England in the mid-18th century and is largely attributed to the growth of public schools, such as Eton.
The first Hockey Association was formed in the UK in 1876 and drew up the first formal set of rules. The original association survived for just six years but, in 1886, it was revived by nine founding member clubs.

Motivated by hockey’s omission from the 1924 Paris Games, the Fédération Internationale de Hockey sur Gazon (FIH) was founded by Paul Léautey. M. Léautey, who would later become the first president of the FIH, called together seven National Federations to form the sport’s international governing body.

These founding members, which represented both men's and women's hockey in their countries, were Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Hungary, Spain and Switzerland.

Popularised in the late 19th century, the women’s game developed quickly in many countries. In 1927, the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was formed. After celebrating their respective Golden Jubilees - the FIH in 1974 and the IFWHA in 1980 - the two organisations came together in 1982 to form the current FIH.

By 1964, there were already 50 countries affiliated with the FIH, as well as three Continental Associations - Africa, Pan America and Asia - and in 1974, there were 71 members. Today, the International Hockey Federation consists of five Continental Associations, 137 National Associations and is still growing.

Rules

The basic field hockey rules

  • Hockey players can only hit the ball with the flat side of their stick.
  • Hockey players (other than the goalkeeper) are not allowed to use their feet, or any other parts of the body, to control the ball at any time.
  • A goal can only be scored either from a field goal, a penalty corner, or from a penalty stroke. A field goal is a goal scored from open play, and can only be scored from inside the ‘striking circle’, in front of the opponent's goal. If the hockey ball is hit from outside the circle and goes into the goal, it does not count as a goal.
  • Hockey players may not trip, push, charge, interfere with, or physically handle an opponent in any way. Hockey is a non-contact sport and all fouls result in a free hit or a ‘penalty corner’ for the non-offending team depending on where the infringement took place and the severity of the foul.

Types of foul in field hockey

A number of different types of foul may be punished in a game of hockey. Some of the basic ones to watch out for include.

  • Obstruction. This is awarded against a hockey player who uses their body or stick to prevent an opponent from reaching the ball.
  • Third-party obstruction. This is awarded when a hockey player positions themselves between the ball and an opponent, allowing a team-mate an unobstructed play on the ball.
  • Advancing. This is awarded against a player who shoves, pushes, or advances the ball in any way, using any part of their body.
  • Backsticks. This is awarded against a player who strikes the ball with the rounded back of the hockey stick.
  • Hockey stick interference. This is awarded against a player who uses their stick to hit an opponent’s stick, either intentionally or unintentionally.
  • Undercutting. This is awarded against a player who lifts the ball in a dangerous manner.
  • Sticks. This is awarded against a player who raises their stick dangerously near another player.

Types of punishment in field hockey

Fouls in a hockey match can be punished in three main ways. These are as follows:

  • Free hit. This is a free play awarded on any offenses that occurs outside of the scoring circle. It usually takes place at the location of the violation. All opposing players must stand at least 5 yards (4.6m) from where the hit is to be taken. 
  • Penalty corner. This is awarded to the attacking team when the defense either commits a foul inside the striking circle or intentionally hits the ball out-of-bounds over the end line. A penalty corner is taken by an attacking player at a spot on the end-line 10 yards (9.2m) away from the nearest goal post. All other attackers must stand outside the striking circle, while five defenders, including the goalkeeper, stand behind the end line until contact is made with the ball. Once the ball has been put in play, all players can rush into the circle to either defend or shoot the ball at the goal.
  • Penalty stroke. This is awarded to the attacking side when an offense is committed by the defending side which is deemed to have prevented an almost certain goal. A penalty is taken 7 yards (6.4m) from goal, with the player having only the goalkeeper to beat.

Field hockey umpires

There are two umpires on the hockey field, who are usually responsible for each half of the pitch. A player who breaches the rules, either by rough or dangerous play, misconduct, or an intentional offenses, can be shown a card — either green, yellow or red.

  • Green. This is an official warning given to the hockey player to not break the rules.
  • Yellow. This results in a hockey player being sent off the pitch for 5 minutes, following an offense.
  • Red. A red card results in an early shower and is given for more serious offense.

Positions

There are eleven players on each team -- ten field players and one goalkeeper. Formations on the field will vary depending upon the strategy of the coach, but they will include attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers. The attackers are the principal goal scorers. They may include wings, inside forwards, and a striker. The midfielders are the most versatile players on the field. They contribute both to the offense and defence. The defenders are primarily responsible for the defence. The deepest defending back may be used as a sweeper. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and must protect the goal cage area. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to touch the ball with her body, but she can only do this within the shooting circle.

Products

There are 2 hockey bags available on our website. You can choose between a Hockey Deluxe Cargo Bag and a Hockey Pro Equipment Bag. These are both from the brand Under Armour. The Deluxe Cargo bag is designed to get your gear to and from the rink. This bag gives you all you need. You don’t need to spend more on bags when you have this bag. The spare money can go to sticks, helmets, or other hockey equipment.

The Pro Equipment Bag has coated mesh vents, two interior open skate pockets, interior accessory open skate pockets, heavy duty zippers, reinforces carry handles and long straps. It’s perfect to carry your equipment around.

Brands

Adams Adidas
All-Star Benson
Crep Cutters
Douglas Gilman
Gorilla Gold GSI by Riddell
Jugs Lizards Skins
Majestic Makura
Markwort Masterpieces
McDavid Mitchell & Ness
Neumann New Balance
New Era Nike
P2I Rawlings
Reebok Richardson
Riddell Schutt
Shock Doctor SKLZ
Smitty SportStar
The Northwest Company Trace
Twin City Under Armour
Wilson Xenith
XO Athletic