History of Field Hockey
(via Longstreth.com) The origins of field hockey can be traced to ancient Egypt, Persia, and Greece; but the game as we know it, was developed in the British Isles in the late 19th century. In 1901, field hockey was brought to the United States by an English woman, Constance M.K. Applebee. She spread the game to Vassar, Wellesley, Holyoke, Radcliffe, and Bryn Mawr Colleges. Her influence helped field hockey grow in schools, colleges, and clubs. In 1920, the first US Touring Team set sail for England. In 1922, the United States Field Hockey Association was formed as the national governing body for the sport.
Since field hockey was introduced into this country by a woman, the sport has been played mostly by female athletes in the US. However in other countries field hockey is widely played by both men and women. In 1930, the Field Hockey Association of America was formed as the governing body for the men’s game. In 1993, the men’s and women’s associations merged into the USFHA, which is the official field hockey organization recognized by the Olympic Committee. The USFHA women qualified for the 1980 Olympic games, but the boycott prevented them from participating. In 1984, they earned a bronze medal in the Los Angeles games and have since competed in the 1988 (Seoul, Korea), 1996 (Atlanta), 2008 (Beijing), and 2012 (London) Olympic games.
Since field hockey was introduced into this country by a woman, the sport has been played mostly by female athletes in the US. However in other countries field hockey is widely played by both men and women. In 1930, the Field Hockey Association of America was formed as the governing body for the men’s game. In 1993, the men’s and women’s associations merged into the USFHA, which is the official field hockey organization recognized by the Olympic Committee. The USFHA women qualified for the 1980 Olympic games, but the boycott prevented them from participating. In 1984, they earned a bronze medal in the Los Angeles games and have since competed in the 1988 (Seoul, Korea), 1996 (Atlanta), 2008 (Beijing), and 2012 (London) Olympic games.
The Game
(via Longstreth.com) Field Hockey is played on a field which is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide. Top-level field hockey is played on synthetic surfaces, which makes the ball run faster and more smoothly, but most high school games in the US are played on grass. The high school game consists of two 30-minute halves. Each team is permitted two time-outs per game. The game is started and re-started after every goal by a center pass. The player taking the center pass puts the ball into play in any direction using a hit, push, or self-pass.
The object of the game is to work the ball into the shooting circle -- a semi-circle extending 16 yards from each goal line and score goals. Goals can only be scored when touched by the attacking team’s stick inside the opponent’s shooting circle. (This is an important rule to understand, since there are many times when a goalkeeper will allow the ball to enter the goal when she knows that it has been hit from outside the circle.) Each goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar. If the ball is lifted into the goal, the umpire may rule that it was a dangerous hit and may disqualify what looked to be a goal.
The object of the game is to work the ball into the shooting circle -- a semi-circle extending 16 yards from each goal line and score goals. Goals can only be scored when touched by the attacking team’s stick inside the opponent’s shooting circle. (This is an important rule to understand, since there are many times when a goalkeeper will allow the ball to enter the goal when she knows that it has been hit from outside the circle.) Each goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar. If the ball is lifted into the goal, the umpire may rule that it was a dangerous hit and may disqualify what looked to be a goal.