Hi, how are you, my name is Libby. I have been participating in field hockey since I was in 2nd grade. My aunt played field hockey, and got me and my cousin into the sport. She was a goalie for the U of M. I have played on a team every year since 2nd grade. I played for my school for 2 years and really enjoyed it. It is a great way to meet new friends.

History of Field Hockey
Rules
Equipment
 

Field hockey has been around for many years. It is one of the most popular sports in the U.S. Field hockey dates back along time. Like the times of the ancient olympic games. There has been pictures of people drawings in a tomb found in Egypt of men playing field hockey more than 4,000 years ago. Field hockey started to evolve in the early 19th century in England. They passed the game onto India who passed the game on to and many european colonies. The first international competition was held in 1895 in Europe.

    Field hockey may sound very confusing when really it isn't. Field hockey has many many rules. Some people find the rules ridicules. But that is what makes it such a cool sport.

• The ball can not touch your foot that is called a foot.
• You can not spin around the ball that is called obstruction.
• You can only lift the ball into open spaces otherwise it is a dangerous ball.
• You can only score from inside the circle other wise it does not count.
• If there are any penalties called inside the circle on the defense it is a short corner (a free hit on the end line) the offense get to take the hit.
• If there are any penalties called on the offense it is a 20 yard. hit coming out. The defense takes the ball to the top of the circle or any where  on the 20 yard line and takes the hit.
• If a player "jumps" in front of the goalie it is a stroke. That is when a player on the offense gets to take a shot from a certain point and hopefully scores a goal.
• If the ball is hit out by any person the ball goes to the other team on the line where the ball was hit out.
• You can not hack at the other persons stick or you will be called for hacking.
• You can not push another player w/ any part of your body or it is there hit.
• You must give the person taking the 5 yards, or they get to move up another 5 yards

These are field hockey sticks they only come right handed. They also vary in companies. The stick size varies by how tall you are. It should only come up to your hip bone.
  These are field hockey balls. They are all the same size. They vary in colors, company and what they are made of. Certain types of balls are made for indoor use only other are for out door and indoor.
When  playing traditionally you wear a kilt. Now colleges and professional's where shorts more (spandex). You also wear a jersey they can vary in what they look like.
 

    "Before the home run...
    before the lay-up...
    before the slap shot...

    There was a ball and a stick..." www.usfieldhockey.com/