Field Hockey
7th/ 8th Grade Field Hockey Unit
Study Guide
Background Information
It's pretty tough to find a game that is more fun than field hockey, in large part because it's a fast-paced, exciting sport that can be played by individuals of all ages and skill sets. Another great thing about field hockey is that it can be played virtually anywhere.
Our classes type of hockey originally evolved as an adaptation of ice hockey for play on the streets. Street hockey, which was played on pavement, used modified ice hockey equipment. But this equipment did not hold up to street use. In 1963, a few sport equipment companies began developing plastic sticks and pucks that could be utilized both indoors and outdoors on smooth surfaces. The original floor hockey rules were adapted from the National Hockey League rules. Today’s game of floor hockey is different from ice hockey in many ways, one being the use of protective equipment.
Basic Field Hockey Rules
1. You may only use the flat side of your stick.
2. You must be properly attired – pennies/jerseys for opposite teams.
3. 10 field players plus a goalie play at one time.
4. The field hockey game lasts for two 30 minute halves. (We play two, 15 minute halves in class)
5. Substitutions – the field player must exit the field at the 50, only then can the new player step onto the field.
6. The ball cannot go in the air, especially on free hits. This is judged by the discretion of the ref. The exception is a shot on goal, as long as there is not a player in the direct line of the ball and no one is in harm’s way.
7. Self –start. When taking a hit into the circle, whether it is a free hit or long hit, you cannot directly hit into the circle. You must pass it first or carry the ball for 5 yards before hitting the ball into the circle.
For free hits anywhere else on the field, you may either: take a direct hit, pass to one of your players, or carry the ball for 3 yards before hitting it.
8. Any time a foul occurs in either team’s circle, a corner hit will be called.
Fouls
1. The ball cannot hit your feet.
2. You cannot raise your stick above your waste during regular play. If you are taking a free hit, it is up to the discretion of the ref.
3. You cannot tackle (go for the ball) from behind. You must face your opponent head on (shoulder to shoulder) if you are fighting for the ball.
4. No third party. It is one vs. one at all times. Once another player tries to go for the ball, a foul is called.
5. Obstruction – when your back is turned to another player and you are between the ball and that player.
Rules & Regulations of Game Play
Team members: A typical team has 6 players:
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(One) GOALIE: Protector of the goal. The goalie can use their hands, feet, or stick to stop shots coming into the goal area. If a goalie catches a puck, they must throw it to the side of the goal box, NOT forward or toward the opponent’s goal.
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(One) CENTER: A player who may travel the entire court playing offense and defense.
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(Two) GUARDS: A defensive player who tries to keep the puck out of their defensive area. These players can not go across the center line or the middle line of their areas.
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(Two) FORWARDS: An offensive player who works with their center in scoring goals. They may not cross the center line or the middle line in their areas.
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Game begins with face off at centerline and resume there after each goal.
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Face off is called when ball is out of play, caught by any player other than goalie, or a goal is scored. Official will drop ball during face off.
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Two 5-minute running time halves will be played with no time outs allowed.
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Goal is scored when player hits, sweeps or pushes the ball into the net directly off stick or it is deflected off one of their teammates or defensive player into net.
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A player may advance ball with their feet, but MAY NOT kick it directly into net to score. If a player kicks ball/puck, ball defects off defensive player into net - goal counts.
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A ball/puck CANNOT be thrown into the goal to score.
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When a goalie catches or stops the ball, they must be given room to release it to one of their players by hand or stick.
2 minute Penalties:
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HIGH STICKING: anytime the stick is raised above the knees.
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SLASHING: intentional or unintentional hitting with stick.
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INTERFERENCE AND CHARGING: anytime opposing player pushes a player out of position.
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ELBOWING: using one's elbow to hit an opponent
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CROSS CHECKING: use of stick to push opponent out of the way
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TRIPPING AND HOOKING: use of stick to trip or hold back an opponent from playing the ball
Removal from Game:
1. Immediate removal from game and/or game suspensions for player with 2 or more penalties.
2. Unnecessary roughness, unwillingness to play within the spirit of intramurals or deliberate intention to hurt someone.
Vocabulary Terms:
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Forehand: When a player shoots or passes with the bottom hand pushing the stick forward
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Backhand: When a player shoots or passes with the bottom hand pulling the stick forward
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Dribble: (also known as stick handling or puck handling) Using both sides of the blade to control & move the puck
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Face-off: Games begin with a face-off between centers where the puck is dropped between them. All other players must begin outside the center circle. The object of a face-off is to pull the puck back to your side. Both players' sticks must start on their side and remain in contact with the floor until the puck is dropped. Face-offs may also occur in a team's zone.
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Goal: Each score is worth one point. A goal counts when a puck crosses the goal line. A puck kicked or hit by the hand into the goal is not a score.
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High sticking: Penalty called when a player lifts the blade above the waist, winds up, or follows through when attempting an illegal shot (slap-shot)
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Hooking: Illegal use of the hockey stick to "hook" another player (This is a penalty.)
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Icing: When a player on the defensive side of the floor sends the puck down the length of the floor and it crosses the designated line without being touched by a teammate
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Offside: When players move or cross out of the designated areas assigned to their position
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Penalty: Consequence given for roughing, high sticking, hooking, or other misconduct fouls that are illegal (The player charged with the penalty will sit out of the game for a designated period of time - usually two minutes in official hockey. Any player who accumulates five penalties during a game will be disqualified from playing.)
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Power play: When the team with all their players (full strength) has an advantage over the team charged with a penalty that now must play with less players (short-handed)
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Roughing: Play that endangers resulting in a penalty (Examples of roughing may be slashing, contact with the goalie, pushing, blocking with the body, or tripping.)
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Slap shot: An illegal shot in floor hockey (A slap shot involves the swinging of the stick behind, slapping the puck, and the follow through which brings the stick high.)
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Sudden death: When two teams are tied at the end of a game and the first team to score wins and ends the game
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Wrist shot: When a player uses a flicking motion to move the puck (The stick remains in contact with the floor. There should be no back swing or high follow through. This is the best shot for speed and accuracy in floor hockey.)
DIAGRAM OF COURT
A=GOALIE
B=GUARDS
C=FORWARDS
D=CENTER
Coin Toss
Field Hockey games begin with a coin toss by the umpire. The home team gets to choose whether it wants heads or tails. The team that wins the toss gets its choice of either possession of the ball at the start of the game or the side of the field it would like to defend.
Teams
Each team puts 11 players on the field at a time — ten regular players and one goalie. Five substitution players remain on the sideline. In rare circumstances, a team will choose to pull its goalie off the field in exchange for an extra field player. The players on the sideline can be used as substitutes for any of the players on the field at any given time. The number of substitutions made is up to the umpire.
Positions
Positions in field hockey are not absolute. Generally, though, teams arrange players into defense, midfield, and attack. Most teams choose to have a goalie, but a goalie is not required. Many teams include a single sweeper who acts as a last line of defense in front of the goalie. The minimum number of players needed for a game to be considered a regulation game is nine, including the goalie. Depending on the division and/or league, however, this number can vary.
To have goalkeeping privileges, a player must wear a helmet and a jersey that is a different color than that of her teammates. A full protected goalie cannot leave her side’s defensive 25-yard line during play, unless the goalie is defending a penalty stroke.
Substitute goalkeepers — or “kickers” — do not wear the full goalie equipment; they only wear a helmet, different colored shirt, and sometimes goalie leg pads. Kickers are field players that play goalie only when their team does not have one, or if the team wants an additional player instead of a goalie. They can leave their side’s defensive end, but cannot use their feet or hands outside the 25-yard mark.
Stick Basics & Handling
The head of a hockey stick is hooked. The right-hand side of the stick is rounded, while the left-hand side is flat. The ball can be played on the flat, left-hand side of the stick, or on its edge; it cannot be played on the rounded side. This is natural for right-handed players and unnatural for left-handed players. Unfortunately for lefties, left-handed sticks are not allowed to be used in games.
To make a legal hit to the right without using the rounding side of the stick, a player must turn the stick over the ball and use the flat side. Taking a hit by reversing the stick head — turning the handle approximate 180 degrees over the ball — and striking the ball with a left-to-right swing with the flat side of the stick is called a “reverse hit.”
Keeping the ball under close control is called dribbling, or stick handling. Dribbling is used when running with possession of the ball. It helps a player maneuver past opposing players for a chance to shoot on goal. Other essential skills for playing field hockey are the ability to control, pass, push, stop, and shoot the ball with your stick.
Foot Foul
Field players are not allowed to use their feet, or any other body part, to control the ball. If the ball hits a player’s foot, the umpire will either award the other team a free hit or let the game continue if the other team gains an advantage. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use her hands, feet, and body to stop or strike the ball.
Air Ball
The ball is allowed to be lifted in the air as long as the referee does not consider the play to be “dangerous.” The referee will make that call if the ball could potentially hit or injure another player. The general rule is that the ball should not be lifted above the knee within five meters of another player. An exception to this rule is when the ball is raised by using a scooping or long-pushing action of the stick, or when there are no players in the same proximity as the ball. The ball cannot be hit into the air unless it is a direct shot on goal.
Scoring
There are three different ways to score a goal in field hockey:
- Field goal
- Penalty corner
- Penalty stroke
Field Goal
A goal can only be scored if the shot is taken within the “shooting circle,” a semi-circular area in front of the opponent’s goal. The shooting circle is also known as the “dee” or “D” for the defensive team. The ball must be touched by a player on either team inside the circle for it to count as a goal.
Penalty Corner
A penalty corner is awarded when the defensive team breaks certain rules inside the D, or when a defender commits an intentional offense outside the circle but within the 25 yard (23 meters) area.
Play is stopped for a penalty corner to allow time for both teams to set up its respective attack and defense positions. Defense is allowed five defenders, including the goalie on the end line.
One attacker stands on the end line 11 yards (10 meters) away from the goal and pushes the ball out to the attackers on top of the shooting circle who are waiting to take a shot on goal. The rest of the defensive team must stay behind the center line until the ball is pushed out by the offensive player.
In order for a goal to count during a penalty corner, the ball must travel outside the shooting circle before an offender can take the shot. The receiver will then push the ball back into the circle for a shot to be taken. The shot has to be taken inside the marked circle for the goal to count.
Read more at: http://fieldhockey.isport.com/fieldhockey-guides/field-hockey-rules-regulations