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Hockey is one ball sport. The main attribute of the hockey player is the stick, which is used to manipulate the ball. There are different forms of hockey. The oldest and best-known form is simply called 'hockey' in Dutch.
Hockey is played outdoors on a field. Indoor hockey is an indoor variant of hockey. In countries where people mainly play ice hockey and are not as familiar with hockey as we know it, “hockey” is often referred to as ice hockey. Hockey as we know it is referred to in these countries by a translation of “grass hockey” or “field hockey”, such as “field hockey” or “hockey sur lawn”.
Hockey is a team sport in which players try to hit a ball to a goal, the opponent's goal, with a stick. This ball is made of plastic and has a hollow point that makes it lose speed. The players try to hit the ball into the goal by hitting it with the stick.
It is one of the oldest sports in the world, if you look at the origins of hockey. There are different variants of hockey, such as field hockey, indoor hockey, funkey, pink hockey, trim hockey, fit hockey, masters hockey and para hockey.
In this article I will explain what exactly hockey is and what variants there are.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
What variants of hockey are there?
Field hockey is the most famous and popular form of field hockey. It is played on a grass or artificial pitch and there are eleven players per team. The aim is to get the ball into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick. Field hockey is played all year round, except in the winter months when indoor hockey is more popular.
indoor hockey
Hall hockey is an indoor variant of hockey and is played in the winter months. It is played on a smaller field than field hockey and there are six players per team. The ball may only be played high if it is heading towards the goal. Indoor hockey is a faster and more intensive form of hockey.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey is a variant of hockey played on ice. Mainly played in North America and Europe, it is one of the fastest and most physical sports in the world. Players wear skates and protective gear and use a stick to drive the puck into the opponent's goal.
Flex hockey
Flex hockey is a variant of hockey that is specially designed for people with a disability. It can be played both indoors and outdoors and several adjustments have been made to make the game more accessible to players with disabilities. For example, the size of the field can be adjusted and players can use special sticks.
Trim hockey
Trim hockey is a form of hockey intended for people who want to exercise in a relaxed way. It is a mixed form of hockey in which experienced and non-experienced players play together in a team. There is no competition obligation and the main purpose is to have fun and keep fit.
How old is hockey?
Okay, so you're wondering how old hockey is? Well, that's a good question! Let's take a look at the history of this fantastic sport.
- Hockey is centuries old and has its origins in several countries, including Egypt, Persia and Scotland.
- However, the modern version of hockey as we know it today originated in England in the 19th century.
- The first official hockey match was played in 1875 between England and Ireland.
- Hockey was included in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1908 and has been a popular sport all over the world ever since.
So, to answer your question, hockey is pretty old! But that doesn't mean it isn't still one of the most exciting and dynamic sports out there. Whether you are a fan of field hockey, indoor hockey or one of the many other variations, there is always a way to enjoy this great sport. So what are you waiting for? Grab your stick and hit the field!
What was the first form of hockey?
Did you know that hockey was played over 5000 years ago? Yes, you heard it right! It all started in ancient Persia, what is now Iran. Wealthy Persians played a game much like polo, but on a horse. This game was played with a stick and a ball. But the less wealthy people also wanted to play hockey, but they had no money to buy horses. So they came up with a shorter stick and just played the horseless game on the ground with a pig's bladder for a ball. This was the first form of hockey!
And did you know that the sticks were completely made of wood back then? Over the years, more materials have been added, such as plastic, glass fiber, polyfiber, aramid and carbon. But the basics remain the same: a hockey stick to handle the ball. And the ball? It has also changed from a pig bladder to a special hard plastic hockey ball.
So next time you're on the hockey field, think about the wealthy Persians who played on their horses and the less wealthy people who played the game on the ground with a pig's bladder. So you see, hockey is for everyone!
Conclusion
As you can see there is a lot to do in the world of hockey. From playing the sport itself to the variants and the associations.
If you want to know more about the rules, knowledge centers and the different variants, you can always contact the KNHB.
