Hockey
Brief introduction of Hockey
Hockey is an outdoor game that is played in a rectangular field. It is played by two teams, with 11 players in each game. One of the players is dressed in pads and helmet, and stands before the goal with a hockey stick that is shaped like the English alphabet ‘J’. This sport needs players to have a lot of athleticism and stamina, as the game requires them to run with the stick for scoring a goal.
Things required to play Hockey game
- The sport is played with a hard stick, known as the hockey stick. Each player has this wooden stick, the flat side of which is used to hit the ball. The stick may be turned around, so as to be able to strike the hockey ball both ways. However, if the back of the stick is used by a player, a foul would be called.
- The hockey ball is a hard ball that is durable, and very strong in construction to last despite multiple hits from the wooden hockey stick.
- For the purpose of protection, players have to be dressed in gum shields and shin pads. Goalkeepers have to put on more padding as they are at a higher risk of being hit by the hockey ball. Part of the dress of a goalkeeper include leg guards, chest pad, padded gloves, helmet and face mask. A few players also put on face masks and eye masks.
- The game is played in a pitch that is 60 yards in width and 100 yards in length. There are 3 lines that run across the whole width of the pitch. Two of these lines are of 25 yards. There is a half way line that can specify some areas of the pitch from players. There is a goal at every end of the pitch, which happens to be 4 yards in width. There is a 16 yard line around the goal. These are the sole parts of the pitch players can hit from. A goal that is scored exterior to the 16-yard line would not be regarded as valid.
Required skills to play Hockey game
- Skating
You have to practice skating backward and forward. Keep the knees in a bent form at the time of skating, to be able to get maximum power and range. Push a leg off and elevate the opposite leg for practicing ice gliding and keeping your balance maintained well. Glide back the feet into a C-shape while trying to skate to the backward direction.
Before you begin to play hockey, skate! This will make you feel confident while playing Ice hockey. Use your skates to grip the ice and take side-steps for improving the game playing performance. These are referred to as ‘Crossovers’. While skating, you can use these for quick change of your directions.
- Braking
Practice braking. Turn the feet sideways and push down into the ice, to come to a halt. This will help you to stop suddenly as you play the game of Ice Hockey.
- Flick
Flick the wrist forward to take fast and precise shots. Shift the body weight onto the rear leg. Keep the puck as near to the blade’s middle as possible. You have to sweep the puck ahead and then flick the wrists at the final moment, to offer momentum to the puck and then thrust. Once you finish your shot, ensure that the end of the blade of your stick points to the direction that you wish to strike the ball to. It can assist you in guiding the puck at the time of following through.
- Shot
You have to also work on your hockey shots, such as:
- Shooting for corners
- Shooting hard
- Backhand shot
- Quick release
- Slap shot
- Snap shot
- Wrist shot
How to play the Hockey game?
- The aim of hockey players is to use a stick to hit the ball to a goal. Each time the ball enters the goal, the team that hits the ball manages to get a point. The team that is found to notch up the maximum number of goals by the end of the game is declared to be the winner. If both teams manage to score the same number of goals, the game comes to a draw.
- On the field, hockey players have to take all their respective positions. A team uses a center pass to begin the game, and goes on attacking the other team for scoring a goal. The player who takes the center pass may stand only in the field’s other half whereas his team members have to stand in their half – to defend the goal. The one taking center pass is allowed to hit the hockey ball in any way or direction.
- A standard hockey match goes on for duration of 70 minutes, and comprise of two 35-minute halves. Matches, at times, end in a draw. However, as compared to other matches, there should be a winner in the official matches. If the game comes to a draw in any case, more time is given, and if there is still a tie the match winner is decided by a penalty flick competition.
Some important rules to play Hockey
In Field hockey, some of the most important rules are:
- Each team has to comprise of 6 substitutes and 11 actual players.
- Each player hits the balls with one side of their hockey stick.
- A player scores a goal when he hits the ball with success into the goal of the opponent from an area of 16 yards.
- The stick is used to dribble or pass the ball. No body part should be allowed to touch the ball intentionally in an attempt to maneuver it. If a player does that, it is regarded as an infringement or foul.
- An infringement / foul also occur when any player attempts to intentionally hit the hockey ball off another player to harm the latter, elevates the stick above the height of waist, or uses the rounded side of the stick for hitting the ball or hits the opponent’s stick to impede the play.
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