1. Which of the following materials are field hockey sticks *not* allowed to be made from?
Answer: Metal
Field hockey sticks are not allowed to contain any metal as this could create sharp edges if the stick was damaged which could injure other players. Hockey sticks were traditionally made of wood and many players particularly at beginner or recreational level still use wooden sticks, however more expensive sticks are now often made from a mixture of fibreglass, aramid fibre (such as Kevlar) and carbon fibre.
2. How many players are on the field for each team in an official field hockey match?
Answer: 11
Field hockey is much closer to soccer than ice hockey. There are ten players on the field plus the goalie.
3. Since 2015 what has been the maximum permitted length of a field hockey stick?
Answer: 105cm
In 2015 a maximum length of 105cm (41 inches) was introduced for field hockey sticks, prior to this there had been no maximum length. As well as a maximum length there is also a maximum weight for hockey sticks of 737g, although most players use a lighter stick than this.
4. How many players from each team are allowed on the field at any one time?
Answer: 11
There are eleven players per team allowed on a hockey field at any time, up to five additional players are allowed in a squad and these can be substituted in and out as many times as is desired during the course of the match. The team who are in possession of the ball are called the attack and the other team the defence.
5. There is one player on a field hockey team who is allowed to play at the ball with their hands and feet. What name is used for this position?
Answer: Goalkeeper
Each team is allowed to have one goalkeeper on the field during matches. The goal keeper can use any part of their body to deflect the ball away from the goal including their hands and feet which other players would receive a penalty for doing. Goal keepers must wear a helmet, leg guards and footguards and they are also allowed to wear additional protective equipment such as hand guards and chest guards.
6. What are the referees called?
Answer: Umpires
There are usually two umpires, one for each side of the field. Some games have more than two.
7. What side of the stick are you allowed to use?
Answer: flat side only
The referee will call a foul if they use the back (curved) side of their stick. Players have to flip their stick over instead. Players can use most of the flat side of the stick, as long as the ball does not touch their hands.
8. What does the referee call if somebody blocks another player from getting to the ball?
Answer: Obstruction
Obstruction is when you block somebody from getting to the ball, whether intentionally or not. You can turn your back to a player, but you have to be moving your feet and the ball if you have it.
9. According to the rules of field hockey, how many ways can you hit a ball?
Answer: 3
The sweep hit is getting down really low to sweep your stick along the ground. The push pass is to push the ball to a teammate. Your stick does not make a sound when you do this. The most common type of hit is the drive. This is like an ice hockey slapshot.
10. Where was field hockey invented?
Answer: Scotland
It was first played in the Scottish highlands in the 1700s. It used to be called Shinty.