What is Field Hockey? Discover the Rules, Locations and More

Field hockey is a ball sport for teams of the field hockey family. The main attribute of the hockey player is the hockey stick, which is used to handle the ball. A hockey team scores points by playing the ball into the opposing team's goal. The team with the most points wins the match.

In this article I will tell you all about this exciting sport and the rules.

What is Field Hockey?

Field hockey is a variant of hockey which is played outside on an artificial turf field. It is a team sport where the goal is to score as many goals as possible using a hockey stick. The game is played between two teams of a maximum of 16 players, of which a maximum of 11 may be on the field at the same time.

The most important attribute: the hockey stick

The hockey stick is the most important attribute of the hockey player. This is how the ball is handled and the goals are scored. The stick is made of wood, plastic or a combination of both materials.

How do you score points?

A hockey team scores points by playing the ball into the opposing team's goal. The team with the most points wins the match.

Game rules and positions

The team consists of 10 field players and a goalkeeper. The field players are divided into attackers, midfielders and defenders. Unlike football, hockey allows unlimited substitutions.

When will it be played?

Field hockey is played in the periods September to December and March to June. Indoor hockey is played in the winter months from December to February.

Who is field hockey for?

Field hockey is for everyone. There is Funkey for the little ones from the age of 4, up to the age of 18 you play with the youth and after that you go to the seniors. From the age of 30 you can play hockey with the veterans. In addition, Fit Hockey is intended for everyone over the age of 50 and physically and mentally disabled people can play adapted hockey.

Where can you play field hockey?

There are more than 315 associations affiliated with the Royal Dutch Hockey Association. There is always an association located near you. You can request more information about this from your municipality or search for a club via the Club Finder.

For who?

Hockey is a sport for young and old. You can start playing hockey at a hockey club from the age of six. There are special hockey schools where you learn the first steps. Then you go to the F-youth, E-youth, D-youth and so on until the A-youth. After the youth you can continue with the seniors. And if you really can't stop playing hockey, you can join the veterans from 30 years old for women and 35 years old for men.

For everyone

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Hockey is a sport for everyone. There are special variants of hockey for the physically and mentally disabled, such as adapted hockey. And if you are over 50, you can play fit hockey.

For the protectors

If you are a goalkeeper, you must wear equipment. That's because the hockey ball is very hard. You need hand protection, leg protection, foot protection, face protection and of course vagina protection. You need foot protection to shoot the ball with your feet. Due to the other protection, people can also shoot high at the goal. And don't forget to put on your shin guards and socks.

For outdoors and indoors

Hockey is traditionally played on a grass field, but nowadays often on a field with artificial grass. In autumn, summer and spring you play outside. In winter you can play indoor hockey.

For the goal scorers

The aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible and of course have fun. A match lasts 2 times 35 minutes. In professional matches, a half lasts 17,5 minutes.

Where can you play it?

You can play field hockey at one of the more than 315 associations that are members of the Royal Dutch Hockey Association. There is always an association near you. You can request more information about this from your municipality or use the club finder on the website of the KNHB.

Age categories

For the little ones from the age of 4 there is Funkey, a fun way to get acquainted with the sport. From the age of 18 you can play with the seniors and from the age of 30 (ladies) or 35 years (men) you can play hockey with the veterans. There is adapted hockey for the physically and mentally handicapped.

Seasons

Field hockey is played in the periods September to December and March to June. Indoor hockey is played in the winter months from December to February.

International club awards

Dutch clubs have won several international club awards in the past, such as the Euro Hockey League and the European Cup Hall.

At Home

If you have your own piece of land, you can also play field hockey at home. Make sure you have an artificial turf field of 91,40 meters long and 55 meters wide and the necessary materials, such as a hockey stick and a ball.

On the beach

In the summer you can also play beach hockey on the beach. This is a variant of field hockey where you play barefoot and the ball is not allowed to bounce.

On the street

If you don't have a field or beach at your disposal, you can also play hockey on the street. For example, use a tennis ball and a piece of cardboard as a target. Please note that you do not cause a nuisance to local residents and that you play it safe.

Other forms of hockey you may not have heard of

Flex hockey is a form of hockey where you are not tied to a fixed team. You can sign up as an individual and play with different people each week. It's a great way to meet new people and improve your hockey skills.

pink hockey

Pink hockey is a variant of hockey with an emphasis on fun and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. It is an inclusive sport where everyone is welcome, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Hockey7

Hockey7 is a faster and more intensive version of field hockey. It is played with seven players instead of eleven and the field is smaller. It's a great way to improve your fitness and test your skills in a more competitive environment.

Urban hockey

Urban hockey is played on the street or in a skate park and is a mix of hockey, skateboarding and freestyle football. It's a great way to express your creativity and learn new tricks while having fun with friends.

Funkey 4 and 5 years

Funkey is a special form of hockey for children aged 4 and 5. It is a fun and safe way to introduce children to the sport. They learn the basics of hockey while having fun with other kids.

Master hockey

Masters hockey is a form of hockey for players aged 35 and older. It's a great way to keep fit and enjoy the sport on a more relaxed level. It's also a great way to meet new people and participate in tournaments around the world.

Para hockey

Parahockey is a form of hockey for people with disabilities. It is an inclusive sport where everyone is welcome and where players are adapted to their individual needs. It's a great way to stay fit and be part of a community of like-minded people.

School hockey

School hockey is a great way for kids to get introduced to the sport. Often organized by schools, it offers children the chance to learn new skills and have fun with their classmates.

Company hockey

Company hockey is a great way to promote team building and strengthen bonds between colleagues. It's a fun and competitive way to keep fit while networking with other professionals.

indoor hockey

Hall hockey is a variant of field hockey that is played indoors. It is a faster and more intense version of the sport and requires more technical skills. It's a great way to improve your skills and enjoy the sport during the winter months.

beach hockey

Beach hockey is played on the beach and is a great way to enjoy the sun and sea while having fun with friends. It is a less formal version of the sport and offers players the chance to learn new skills and enjoy the great outdoors.

Hockey in the Netherlands: A sport we all love

The Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) is the organization that represents the interests of the hockey associations in the Netherlands. With approximately 50 employees and 255.000 members, it is one of the largest sports associations in the Netherlands. The KNHB organizes various competitions for juniors, seniors and veterans, including the national regular field competition, indoor hockey competition and winter competition.

From Pim Mulier to current popularity

Hockey was introduced in the Netherlands in 1891 by Pim Mulier. Amsterdam, Haarlem and The Hague were the first cities where hockey clubs were founded. Between 1998 and 2008, the number of hockey players active in various Dutch leagues grew from 130.000 to 200.000. Field hockey is now one of the most popular team sports in the Netherlands.

Competition formats and age categories

In the Netherlands there are various forms of competition for hockey, including the national regular field competition, indoor hockey competition and winter competition. There are leagues for juniors, seniors and veterans. In the youth there are categories that are divided by age, ranging from F to A. The higher the age category, the longer the competition lasts.

Hockey stadiums and international successes

The Netherlands has two hockey stadiums: the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam and the Rotterdam Stadium Hazelaarweg. Both stadiums are regularly used for national and international matches and tournaments. The Dutch national team and the Dutch women's team have had years of success at the highest level and have won several awards, including Olympic titles and world titles.

Hockey clubs and tournaments

There are many hockey clubs in the Netherlands, from small to large. Many clubs organize tournaments and summer evening competitions. In addition, company hockey competitions are played in various parts of the country. Hockey is a sport that is practiced by many people in the Netherlands and that we all love.

Hockey international: where the best players in the world come together

When you think of international hockey, you think of the Olympic Games and the World Championship. These tournaments are held every four years and are the main events for national teams. In addition, there is the biennial Hockey Pro League, in which the best teams in the world compete against each other.

Other major tournaments

The Champions Trophy and the Hockey World League used to be important tournaments, but these have now been replaced by the Hockey Pro League. There are also other global tournaments, such as the Champions Challenge, the Intercontinental Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

Continental Championships

At the continental level there are also championships, such as the African, Asian, European and Pan American championships. These tournaments are important for the development of hockey in those regions.

International top tournaments for clubs

In addition to the tournaments for national teams, there are also international top tournaments for clubs. The Euro Hockey League is the most important tournament for men, while the European Hockey Cup is the most important tournament for women. Dutch clubs have a rich history in these tournaments, with teams like HC Bloemendaal and HC Den Bosch winning multiple times.

Growth of hockey internationally

Hockey is growing worldwide and more and more countries are participating in international tournaments. This can be seen in the growing number of hockey players active in various leagues. The Netherlands has one of the largest hockey communities in the world, with more than 200.000 active players.

Conclusion

International hockey is an exciting and growing sport, in which the best players in the world come together to compete for their country or club. With tournaments such as the Olympic Games, the World Championship and the Hockey Pro League, there is always something to look forward to for hockey fans around the world.

How does that game actually work?

Okay, so you have eleven players per team, including a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only one allowed to touch the ball with his or her body, but only within the circle. The other ten players are field players and may only touch the ball with their stick. There may be a maximum of five reserve players and unlimited substitutions are allowed. Each player must wear shin guards and hold a stick. And don't forget to put in your mouthguard, otherwise you'll be toothless!

The stick and the ball

The stick is a hockey player's most important tool. It has a convex side and a flat side and is made of wood, plastic, fibreglass, polyfibre, aramid or carbon. The curvature of the stick is limited to 25 mm since September 1, 2006. The ball weighs between 156 and 163 grams and has a circumference between 22,4 and 23,5 cm. Usually the outside is smooth, but small pits are allowed. Dimple balls are often used on water fields because they roll faster and bounce less.

The field

The playing field is rectangular and 91,4 meters long and 55 meters wide. The boundaries are marked with lines that are 7,5 cm wide. The field of play includes the area within the side lines and back lines, including the lines themselves. The field includes everything within the field fence, including the fence and dugouts.

The game

The object of the game is to score as many goals as possible. The team that has scored the most goals at the end of the match wins. The ball may only be touched with the stick and must be hit or pushed into the opponent's goal. The goalkeeper may touch the ball with any part of his body inside the circle, but outside the circle only with his stick. There are different types of fouls, such as striking an opponent or playing the ball with the back of the stick. In the event of an infringement, the opponent is awarded a free hit or a penalty corner, depending on the seriousness of the infringement. And remember, fair play is important in hockey!

The history of field hockey: from ancient Greeks to Dutch glory

Did you know that the ancient Greeks already played a kind of hockey with a stick and a ball? And that from the Middle Ages the British played a game called bandy ice on hard surfaces such as ice and hard sand? The curvature of the stick gave rise to the name hockey, which refers to the stick's hook.

From bandy players to field hockey in the Netherlands

Field hockey was introduced in the Netherlands by Pim Mulier in 1891. It was the bandy players who started playing field hockey outside the winter season when there was no ice. The first hockey club was founded in 1892 in Amsterdam and in 1898 the Nederlandsche Hockey en Bandy Bond (NHBB) was founded.

From exclusive men's affair to Olympic sport

In the beginning hockey was still an exclusive men's affair and ladies had to wait until 1910 before they could join a hockey club. But it wasn't until the 1928 Olympics that hockey became really popular in the Netherlands. Since then, the Dutch men's and women's team have jointly won 15 Olympic medals and won the world title 10 times.

From soft ball to international standards

In the beginning, the Dutch hockey players were rather idiosyncratic with their game. For example, they played with a soft ball and the teams were often mixed. The stick had two flat sides and no other country could follow the special Dutch rules. But for the 1928 Olympic Games, the rules were changed to international standards.

From marble relief to modern sport

Did you know that there is even a marble relief from 510-500 BC. exists on which two hockey players can be recognized? It is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. In fact, the original game variants only had the use of some kind of stick as an agreement. Only after the Middle Ages was the impetus given for the emergence of modern hockey as we know it today.

Conclusion

Hockey is a fun sport for the whole family and you can play it in different ways. So choose a variant that suits you and get started!

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.