Field hockey – also referred to as simply "hockey" – is a game played with a stick and a ball, where the aim is to manoeuvre the ball into the opposition’s goal. With the help of Ancient Greek artefacts, we know that a sport resembling hockey was played as far back as 510 BC.
Popular in Western Europe, Southern Africa, Australasia, and South American, both men's and women's hockey teams are followed by the whole world when at international competitions like the Olympics.
💯 Field Hockey Format & Scoring
The game generally has 2 teams of 11 – 10 outfield players and 1 keeper – and they can play the ball with the flat side, edges of the head, and handle of their sticks. A match usually consists of 2 periods of 35 minutes with 5 minute half-time intervals, but some international games consist of 15 minute quarters. The force in which the ball is hit combined with the determination of the players leads to the game’s feistiness.
The majority of hockey events are organised by the sport's international governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH).
