Hockey is a popular team sport around the world that is played on the field and, in some countries, indoors. Field hockey is played primarily on artificial turf – with one goalkeeper and ten field players.
The technically demanding game is widespread on all continents – and the “hockey family” continues to grow. There is a national hockey association in 120 countries around the world. The German Hockey Association (DHB) is very successful worldwide with its women’s and men’s national teams.
Fun Factors
Whether small or large, female or male: hockey is a sport that is open to everyone. In no other team sport, for example, the proportion of female athletes is so high. There are very playful variations of hockey for three to five year olds to train their motor skills.
Fat Loss
When playing hockey, the body burns a lot of calories, but it burns carbohydrates rather than fat. Because the high and short loads hardly stimulate fat metabolism.
Cardiovascular System
Constant movement with high peak loads puts a lot of strain on the cardiovascular system, but only has moderate health-promoting effects through an improvement in basic endurance.
Back Friendship/Protection of the Joints:
High strain on the back due to the crouched running position required when in possession of the ball. The best protection is well-trained core muscles. In addition, the artificial turf and hall floor put a lot of strain on the ankles.
Endurance
Hockey is a very dynamic game that requires players to do a lot of running and move the ball quickly. That’s why the focus is on strength and speed endurance. The general basic endurance, which is important because of its health effects, is therefore trained less in the game itself. The training of basic endurance is therefore always part of the training program in preparation for a playing season.
Coordination
High demands on coordination skills: Due to the demanding playing technique, the ability to react, feel for the ball, the ability to orientate and concentrate are required. The bat has a rounded and a flat side at the end – also called the club. The ball can only be played with the flat side of the racket. That’s why the racket has to be rotated quickly around its own axis, for example when making a backhand shot or pass. Precision and ball security are therefore crucial for success.
Power
Playing hockey primarily trains the leg, arm, shoulder and core muscles.
Contraindication
Hockey is not recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, back problems, joint problems (especially ankles) and overweight (increased joint stress) as well as for older people due to the high levels of stress.
Equipment / Costs
Special artificial turf shoes are essential for the outdoor season and indoor sports shoes for the winter season. In addition, shin guards are mandatory as part of the equipment. Goalkeepers must wear special protective equipment (helmet, protective mask, larynx, arm and leg guards and a jockstrap). A team jersey (shirt, shorts, socks) is required for competition. Also: membership fee and (usually also) admission fee to the hockey club.
It is also recommended that field players wear mouth guards to prevent injuries to their teeth. It can happen that the hockey ball jumps off the stick and can endanger the mouth area. A so-called backhand glove is also advisable. It protects the back of the hand that grips the hockey stick. When defending against the ball, for example, the hockey stick is often placed on the ground in order to deprive the opponent of the opportunity to play the ball past the defending player. In this position, contact with the hockey ball can occur, especially at the height of the stick hand.
Risk of Injury
Compared to other team sports, the risk of injury from direct impact from the opponent is rather low because hockey is essentially an almost physical game. The opponent must not be pushed away with the body or the bat. The path to the ball must not be actively blocked. There are risks to joints, tendons and ligaments from the artificial turf pitch. Fingers and hands can be endangered by the opponent’s hockey stick or hockey ball.
Rules of the Game
This sport is offered to children in many hockey clubs and larger sports clubs, usually from the age of six. The basic idea and rules of hockey are similar to football. The aim of the game is to place the plastic ball, which weighs around 160 grams and is moved or hit with the hockey stick, into the opponent’s goal. The club of the hockey stick at the bottom is curved on one side and flattened on the other side. The hockey ball may only be played with the flat side.
The team that scored the most goals during the season won. In the adult area, field hockey is played for 4 x 15 minutes, and indoor hockey is played for 2 x 30 minutes. If a game is to be decided, a 7-meter or penalty shootout follows in the event of a draw. In the penalty shootout, the player must run towards the goalkeeper from the quarter line of the field within eight seconds in order to beat him and put the ball in the goal.
The Team
In field hockey, each team consists of up to 16 players (including goalkeepers). This means that in addition to the eleven players on the field, the team has five players who can be substituted in and out as often as desired. In indoor hockey, a team consists of a total of twelve players (including goalkeepers), of which six are on the field in the Bundesliga. The games are led by two referees who pay attention to errors and fouls. In field hockey, time penalties of between two minutes (green card) and between five and ten minutes (yellow card) can be imposed for rough and dangerous play. In indoor hockey, these time penalties are one minute for a green card and two to five minutes for a yellow card. A red card indicates a dismissal.
The Game
The hockey ball may only be moved or hit with the hockey stick. You are not allowed to hit in the hall. The goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with his feet and body. In contrast to football, in hockey it is forbidden to cover the ball with your own body (blocking) to the opponent. The hockey ball must be accessible to both parties at all times. To score a valid goal, a player from the attacking team must have touched the ball in the shooting circle. If the defending team commits a violation of the rules within the shooting circle, such as blocking or physical play, for example with the foot, a penalty corner is awarded. This can also be issued in the event of intentional rule violations within the defensive half. If a safe goal is prevented by a minor violation of the rules (e.g. body or foot on the goal line) or a serious violation of the rules (intentional foul), the referees will punish this with a penalty.