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Hockey
Hockey , (field), an
11-a-side stick-and-ball field game. It is also
played indoors with 5-, 6-, or 7-a-side. An
amateur sport, field hockey is played outdoors
with sticks and a ball. The sport has been an
Olympic sport for men since 1908 and for women
since 1988. It is especially popular in India
and Pakistan.
RULES OF THE GAME
Dimensions of a Field Hockey Pitch
Hockey pitches have approximately the same
dimensions as rugby and football pitches, and
often all these sports are played on the same
pitch. The goals are 12 ft (3.66 m) wide and 7
ft (2.13 m) high. Penalty strokes are taken from
the penalty spot, which is 7 yd (6.40 m) in
front of the centre of the goal line.
A standard field or pitch may be of various
surfaces (there are all-weather, artificial
pitches) but is traditionally grass. The goals
are 4 yd (3.66 m) wide and 7 ft (2.13 m) high. A
hockey stick may be of any length to suit an
individual player but it must weigh between
12-28 oz (340-794 g). The head may not be more
than 4 in (10 cm) long and it must be of wood.
It has a flat face on its left-hand side and
rounded edges. The diameter of a legitimate
stick is gauged by whether or not it will pass
through a ring 2 in (5 cm) in diameter. The ball
may be of any material, sewn or seamless. It
should weigh about 5y oz (160 g) and have a
circumference of about 9 in (23 cm). A game
lasts 70 minutes (35 minutes each way) with a
half-time interval of 5 to 10 minutes. It is
controlled by two umpires, one for each half of
the field mostly remaining outside the field of
play.
Originally, all teams played with five forwards,
supported by three halves and two backs, plus a
goalkeeper. Gradually other systems evolved
leading to a variety of more flexible
formations, with players usually classified
simply as attackers, midfield players, and
defenders. There is a high degree of mobility
and adaptability, the players changing positions
according to immediate needs.
The game is started, and restarted after
half-time and after each goal by a pass-back
from the centre of the pitch. All players other
than the striker take up their positions in
their own half of the field. No member of the
team without possession may be within 5 yd (4.57
m) of the ball. The pass-back may be hit or
pushed and must be directed along the half-way
line or into the defending half of the field.
The striker may not play the ball again until it
has been touched by another player (of either
team). After certain stoppages the game is
restarted by a bully. For this a player from
each side stand opposite each other side-on with
the ball between them. Each player taps the
ground behind the ball, and then, with the flat
face of the stick, taps the opponent's stick
above the ball, three times alternately before
attempting to play the ball. This is done very
rapidly. Other players must be at least 5 yd
(4.57 m) from the ball.
As in all stick-and-ball games the idea is to
pass the ball in order to gain ground and
advantage as a prelude to scoring a goal. There
are five main types of pass used in the modern
game: hit, push, reverse push, flick, and scoop.
The flick and the scoop lift the ball into the
air. Players can also “carry” or propel the ball
with the stick and dribble it along the ground.
To do the latter the ball is tapped and dragged
from left to right with a rolling action of the
handle and wrists.
For a goal to be scored the whole ball must pass
over the goal line, between the goal posts and
under the cross-bar. And the ball must have been
hit by, or glanced off, the stick of an
attacking player in the circle. A field goal may
only be scored from the shooting circle.
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