HOCKEY

Hockey
Field hockey is played on gravel, natural grass, sand-based or water-based artificial turf, with a small, hard ball. The game is popular among both males and females in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In most countries, the game is played between single-sex sides, although they can be mixed-sex.

Modern field hockey sticks are J-shaped and constructed of a composite of wood, glass fiber or carbon fiber (sometimes both) and have a curved hook at the playing end, a flat surface on the playing side and curved surface on the rear side.
Techniques of hockey
The basic factor in hockey for victory is the control over the ball. Once a player gets the possession of the ball and can gain control over it he can be master of the game.
Next important factor is the release of ball for accurate and calculated passes till the goal is scored. As hockey has become a competitive sport, the players have to remain mentally alert and physically fit all the time together with the determination to win, the confidence to win can be acquired through continuous and dedicated training.
Court
The hockey ground should be rectangular. Its length is 100 yards and width between 55 yards to 60 yards.

Qualities of individual player
Goalkeeper
Following traits are important for a successful goalkeeper

• Perfect and sharp eyesight
• Presence of mind
• Sharp in taking decision
• Sound physical fitness
• Boldness and courage
• Ability to hit with either foot

Full-back
To be a successful full-back a player must possess the following traits.

• Strength to hit powerfully
• A good height and well built physique
• Ability to intercept opponents
• Speed and knowledge of each player’s position
• Sense of anticipation

Half-back
Half-backs are the link between the defense and attack and must possess the following qualities

• Ability to intercept opponents
• Perfection in pushing and scooping
• Knowledge of individual player’s position
• Presence of mind
• Stamina and ability to cover forwards
• Sense of anticipation
• Accuracy in stick work and passing

Forwards
Forwards are the ones who play an important role in the decision of the match. They must possess the following qualities

• Perfection in stick work
• Knowledge of exact position of players covering him
• Instinct to judge the position where to send the pass
• Precision of speed and timing
• Hard drive
• Proper coordination of footwork and body movement
• Flicking skill

Rules of Hockey

• The match is played between two teams each consisting of eleven players.
• The duration of a hockey match consist of two period of thirty five minute each, with an interval of five to ten minutes.
• After interval the teams change sides, so that both the team get equal conditions of play.
• At the start of the play, captain toss for the side.
• The hockey ground should be rectangular. Its length is 100 yards and width between 55 yards to 60 yards.
• About two feet high play posts are placed at each corner of the playground.
• Goal is situated at centre of goal line and is made of two perpendicular posts four yard apart, joined together by a horizontal bar at a height of severe feet form the ground.
• Inside the goal nets are placed 18 inches high goal-boards. The side boards are placed at right angles to the goal line.
• A white line 16 yards distant form the goal, take each perpendicular post as centre and forming a quarter circle’ is called the “striking circle”.
• The official hockey ball must be scam less or sewn like a cricket ball and made of white leather.
• The weight of ball should neither be more the 5-3/4 ounces nor less than 5-1/2 ounces
• The circumference of the ball should neither be more than 9-1/4 inches nor less than 8-11/16 inches.
• The hockey stick should be made of wood and cane and should have a flat face on it’s left hand side only. The blade should not have on inset of metals. The extremity should have round edge only.
• The size of the stick including the binding should be such that it can be passed throw a ring having a diameter of two inches. The total weight of stick should not be more than 28 ozs. Nor should it be less than 12 ozs.
• No players shall be permitted to where anything either in footwear or otherwise, which in the opinion of umpires may be dangers to other players.
• To bully the ball to start a game, to restart it after a goal is scored and after half-time, a player of each team stand squarely facing the side lines, each with his own goal line on his right, and placed on the ground between the two players. Each player shall tap with his stick three times before striking the ball to put into the general play.
• While the bully is played to put the ball into play all other players shall be nearer to their own goal-line than the ball is and none of them shall stand within five yard of the ball.
• When striking the ball no part of stick shall be raised above the shoulders either at the beginning or at the end of the neither stroke nor May ball above the height of a player’s shoulder be stopped in the air by any part of the stick.
• The ball shall not be played in such a way as is either dangerous in itself of likely to lead to dangerous play.
• The ball shall not be stopped on the ground or in the air intentionally by any part of the body except the hand.
• The ball shall not be picked up, kicked, thrown, carried or propelled, in any manner or direction, except with the stick.
• A player shall not obstruct by running in between an opponent and the ball nor shall he interpose himself or his stick as an obstruction to the opponent.
• A player shall not by running in between an opponent and the ball nor shall he interpose himself or his stick as an obstruction to the opponent.
• A goalkeeper is allowed to kick the ball or stop it with any part of his body only while the ball is inside his own circle.
• If the ball strikes an umpire, it shall remain in play.
• If the ball gets lodged in the goalkeeper’s pads dress any player of empire, the game will be suspended and will be restarted by a bully on the spot where the incident took place.
• A goal is recognized as scored if the ball passes wholly over the goal line, between the vertical posts and under the horizontal cross bar and only when it is while inside the striking circle.
• A player is considered off side when he is nearer to the opponent’s goal line ahead of the ball while on opponent’s side of half of the field, when at least two to the opponent’s are not nearer to their own goal line.
• If the ball passes wholly over the side line, the ball shall be placed at the spots where it crossed the line and shall be pushed in along the ground without undue delay be a player last touched the ball.
• If the ball is passed wholly over the side line, by a player of a attacking team and no goal is scored, the game shall be restarted by a free hit by a player of defending team exactly opposite the place where it crossed the goal line at a distance of 16 yards from the line.
• If the ball is sent wholly over the goal line, unintentionally, by a player of the defending team from a distance of less than 25 yards from the goal line, a corner shall be awarded to the opposing team.
• If a ball is sent wholly over the goal line intentionally by a player of the defending team from any part of the ground, a penalty corner shall be awarded to the opposing team.
• A corner shot is hit by a player of the attacking team from a spot on goal line or side line, within 3 yards of the corner flag post nearer to the point where the ball crossed the goal line.
• When the corner hit takes place, up to 6 players of the defending team shall stand outside the field of play behind their own goal line and rest shall stand beyond the center line until the hit has been made.
• All the players of the attacking team, except the player taking they hit shall be in the field of play and have both feet and sticks outside the circle.
• Direct shot form a corner hit cannot be made at goal unless the ball is first stopped on the ground by a player of the attacking team or so touch the stick or person of a player of the defending team.
• In a penalty corner a free hit hall is taken by the attacking team from any spot on the defender’s goal line on either side of the goal, but not within 10 yards of the goal post.
• There shall be two umpires. Each umpire shall take one half of the ground for the whole game. Each shall take the whole of one side line but shall give corner decisions for his own half of the ground only.
• An umpire shall blow his whistle either to start and each half of the game of to enforce a penalty or to suspend the game for any reason or to indicate when the ball as crossed to goal line/side line, or to signal a goal or to start a stroke during the game etc.
• If a player, or an umpire, be incapacitated, the umpire is second umpire, shall suspend the game temporarily. When the game is resumed, it shall be restarted by a bully on a spot to be selected by the umpire.