Field Hockey is a sport that combines ice hockey with soccer to create an exciting and intense sport filled with technique, cooperation, and determination. Learning the essential parts of field hockey is critical to success.
This article will help you examine exactly what you should do if you are interested in playing field hockey.
Understanding the rules
One of the most fundamental approaches to getting started with playing field hockey is understanding the ruleset.
At first glance, the rules of field hockey may seem complex, but you can understand the ins and outs of the game within a bit of time.
Field hockey players are required to be appropriately attired with shin guards, mouth guards, and, if you are in the USA, goggles. After you are suited up, you can take the field with ten outfield plays along with a goalkeeper on each side. Contrary to the fundamentals of soccer, ice hockey players must not use their feet to hit the ball, notwithstanding goalies.
After you have your team, the field hockey games last for two-35 minute periods. During the game, there are unlimited number of substitutions. The outgoing substitutions must exit the field at the 50-line. Only then can the new player step onto the field.
Hockey players are not allowed to trip or push an opponent or physically maltreat a player. Hockey is a non-contact sport, and all fouls result in a free hit or a ‘penalty corner’ for the non-offending team, depending on where the infringement occurred and the severity of the foul.
Getting the right equipment
Field hockey accessories can come in many forms. The best approach to prepare yourself for field hockey is to have a mixture of performance and training equipment.
It’s important to consider things such as cones, balls, and field hockey accessories such as a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and performance wear. The primary go-to’s would be dri-fit athletic wear to keep you cool during your game.
Cleats are essential during field hockey. Field Hockey cleats are similar to a typical baseball or soccer cleat. However, field hocket cleats are made with longer rubber studs, so a player can better grip the grass/turf field when running.
Another beneficial thing to have when starting field hockey is training cones. Training cones can help you train stickhandling, a critical use with changing direction, or when moving around an opposing player. You can also implement training cones into your team’s cooperation practice with passing drills.
After you get your clothing and training cones, you will need to find a field hockey stick that works best for you. The field hockey stick will extend yourself when playing and should be something you are attuned to. There are various brands, shapes, and sizes of field hockey sticks. Everyone has their preference, but it is important to have a stick that can easily carry and move around while running.
The final piece to your uniform will be leg guards, these will be used to protect you from hits and injuries to your legs and knees. The plastic shell of protection and cushion of the pad is the only way a player can safely block a shot, take a stick slash, or fall to the ground. It is also beneficial for the player to use the leg guards frequently, as the more you become comfortable with the leg guards, the more you will forget you are wearing them during play.
Cardio
Cardio is a must for explosive and dynamic play when it comes to field hockey. When first preparing for field hockey, bringing your field hockey stick when running is a huge benefit to gaining control of your breathing.
Another good cardio drill is suicides, where you run back and forth in 10-yard increments. This way, you would gain stamina for ball handling transitions quickly. With the speed that field hockey is played, it is inevitable for the field hockey ball to transition from person to person and team to team. The better you quickly switch from one direction to the next, the better you will be to out-pace the opponents.
When focusing on cardio before field hockey, it is important to keep it simple and not over-complicate what you are doing. The main goal is to expand your stamina range. This can be done through sprints, long-distance running, and, of course, running field suicides to get the edge on the opponents.
Field hockey can seem like a complicated sport when you first look at it, but you can ensure that you have the basics covered with this guide. You go into your first practice and game with the right equipment, general knowledge, and enough cardio that you can rise the ranks keep building out your field hockey dynasty.
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