Field hockey is a popular sport that is played by both men and women around the world. It is a fast-paced and exciting game that requires a combination of skill, speed, and endurance. To play field hockey, players must follow a set of rules that are designed to ensure safety and fairness for all players.
Here are the top 10 rules of field hockey that every player should know:
- Field hockey is played on a field that is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide. The field is divided into two halves, with a centerline that separates the two teams.
- Each team has 11 players, including a goalkeeper. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands to touch the ball, and they must wear different colored clothing to distinguish them from the other players.
- The ball used in field hockey is made of a hard plastic material and is about the size of a baseball. The ball is hit or pushed with a stick that is made of wood or composite materials.
- The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball is hit or pushed into the opposing team’s goal.
- Players are not allowed to use their feet to touch or control the ball. They can only use their stick to hit or push the ball.
- A player can only hit the ball once with their stick before they must pass it to a teammate. This rule is known as the “one touch” rule.
- If a player hits the ball over the sidelines, the opposing team is awarded a free hit or a corner hit, depending on where the ball went out of bounds.
- If a player commits a foul, such as hitting another player with their stick or tripping them, they may be issued a card (green, yellow, or red) by the umpire, depending on the severity of the foul.
- A player who receives a green card must leave the field for two minutes. A player who receives a yellow card must leave the field for five minutes. A player who receives a red card must leave the field for the rest of the game.
- The team that scores the most goals at the end of the game wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, the game may go into overtime or a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
By following these rules, players can ensure that they are playing the game safely and fairly. Field hockey is a fun and exciting sport that requires skill, speed, and endurance, and it is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels around the world.