|
Hockey
Field Hockey is a fast paced and overwhelming team sport in which players make use of sticks to strike a ball into their opponents' goal. Over the last few years, hockeys had emerged as a popular and breathe taking team sport on the global sporting showground.
History
The foundation of hockey is not known. Early Greek carvings demonstrate players using curled sticks to hit a small thing. Only men played hockey for many years. In 1889, the All England Women's Hockey Association was recognized. Men's hockey has been part of the Summer Olympics since 1908. International Hockey Rules Board is responsible for the rules and regulations of the game which is same for both genders
The Equipments
A goal coop stands in the middle of each goal stripe. The coop has two goal posts. The posts are connected by a crossbar. A net is attached to the posts and crossbar. A backboard 18 inches (46 centimetres) high and 4 yards (3.7 metres) long is placed inside the net. Sideboards at least 4 feet (1.22 metres) long and 18 inches (46 centimetres) high are attached to the backs of the goal posts at right angles to the goal line.
Each player holds a hockey stick with a curved end that is even on its left side and rounded on its right. The even side is used to strike the ball. Generally players use sticks that vary from 86 to 94 centimetres in length. The hockey ball is about 23 centimetres in perimeter and weighs about 160 grams.
The game
The game is divided into two halves, each of 35 minutes. At half time the players swap ends. The team is composed of 11 players out of which one is goalkeeper who prevents the goal. The basic groundwork consists of five forwards, three halfbacks, two fullbacks, and a goalkeeper. Two referees take charge of the game, occasionally supported by one or two timekeepers. A goal is achieved each time an offensive player knocks the ball so that it crosses the goal stripe between the goal posts and under the crossbar. The team that scores the maximum number of goals is a champ
The Rules
The rules permit no body contact or dangerous hitting and stop a player from playing a ball over shoulder level with any part of the stick. The goalkeeper may punt the ball or prevent it with any part of the body, collectively with the hand, but only when the ball is within the striking circle. The referee announces a penalty if any of these rules is disobeyed.
|
