Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Field Hockey

Field Hockey is an exciting, intense, and physically demanding sport that requires a high level of fitness. Unlike in sports like American football, football and even rugby, success in hockey is all about players’ ability to manipulate the hockey stick in their hands and the ball on the field.

Field hockey evolved from similar games played in ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Greece, Persia, India, and South America, where stick-and-ball sports shared many characteristics with what we now recognise as hockey.

The modern game of field hockey has developed distinct rules and structure compared to its historical origins, making it a globally played sport with standardised equipment and regulations.

The aim of field hockey

The game consists of hitting a cork (usually white) ball with a wooden hockey stick into the opposition’s goal, following a formal structure and set of rules. In this game played under official regulations, a goal scored is counted as a point for the team that scored. A goal is only valid if the ball is struck from within the striking circle. The outcome depends on which one team scores the most goals at the end of the regulated match, and that team is declared the winner. Should the score be tied, the game is classed as a draw.

Field hockey is a game played between two opposing teams, each trying to outscore the other by building up play and scoring in the opposing team’s goal. Players take up specific field roles and work together as a team to do this.

A brief history of field hockey

Dating back to the middle ages, hockey has been said to have existed some 4,000 years ago! Modern field hockey rules were introduced in the early nineteenth century with teams from Britain, Spain, Argentina, India, Germany, Pakistan and Malaysia competing in some of the first international competitions organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which was formed in 1924. The FIH serves as both the international federation and international governing body for the sport, overseeing the development and regulation of field hockey worldwide.

Field hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1908, marking a significant milestone for the sport and establishing the Olympics as a premier international competition where teams strive for Olympic gold. Great Britain has played a prominent role in Olympic field hockey history, both as a host and as a successful competing nation.

The men’s game, or men’s field hockey, has a rich tradition in international tournaments, with the World Cup and world championship events further elevating its status. Over time, women’s hockey has also seen tremendous growth, with women’s teams achieving remarkable success in international competition, including the Olympics and World Cup, and establishing the sport’s global prominence for women players.

Types of hockey

Hockey is a diverse family of sports, with field hockey, ice hockey, and indoor hockey being the most prominent forms. Field hockey, governed by the International Hockey Federation, is played on grass or artificial turf with a ball and stick, and is known for its fast-paced, tactical gameplay.

Ice hockey, overseen by the National Hockey Association, is played on ice with a puck and stick, and features a different set of rules and equipment tailored to the icy surface.

Indoor hockey is a variation of field hockey, played on a smaller, hard court with a ball and stick, and is popular for its quick transitions and close-quarters action.

While each type of hockey has its own unique rules and style, the core objective remains the same: outscore the opposing team by getting the ball or puck into their goal. Whether played on turf, ice, or indoors, hockey continues to captivate fans around the world with its blend of skill, speed, and teamwork.

Scoring in field hockey

Goals are scored when the ball crosses over the goal line and into the goal except when the referee calls an infringement. For example, the ball must be struck with the player’s hockey stick and not with any part of their body. The player who scores is known as the goal scorer, and being the first goal scorer in a match is often significant, not only for the team but also in betting markets where wagers are placed on who will score first.

Goals are not only scored from open play, but they can also be scored from penalty corners and penalty strokes.

A penalty corner is where the defending side all line up along their goal line, then an attacking player in the corner passes the ball to their teammates lined along the 16-yard area. One of those players will attempt to smash the ball towards the goal in the hope of scoring.

Penalty strokes are similar to those in football, where one player places the ball on the penalty spot and then strikes the ball to hopefully score against the goalkeeper. All other players are behind the 16-yard line.

When penalty strokes are awarded you’ll notice a dedicated penalty stroke scorer replacing a player on the pitch, (hopefully) score the penalty and then is immediately returned for the player they substituted.

Rules of field hockey

Hockey teams have eleven players on the pitch consisting of goalkeepers, defenders

and strikers, with five rolling substitutes. The coach plays a crucial role in assigning positions, developing strategies, and ensuring that each player understands their responsibilities.

The substitutes are typically used to replace tired or injured players or to act in specific match situations like those at penalty strokes. Each position performs particular responsibilities in the match and must cooperate together to win the game. It is important for all players to follow each rule to ensure fair play and consistency across competitions.

Regulations regarding player’s clothing are strictly enforced to enhance safety and maintain compliance with official standards. The field is divided by a centre line, which is essential for organizing gameplay, starting the game, and enforcing positioning rules.

Field hockey positions

• The goalkeeper is the most crucial player on the team, responsible for defending the goal and blocking the opposition’s attempts to score.
• The midfield positions are the team’s engine room, linking play from the defenders to the attackers. Midfielders must possess excellent game distribution and a high level of situational awareness. Players occupy either the inside left, inside right or in the centre.
• Strikers are not as conventional as those employed in football. Yes, they are prolific goal scorers, yet they must also create width down the flanks maximising goal-scoring opportunities for other players in the team.

Penalties in field hockey

Hockey players must control, pass, push, stop or shoot the ball with only the hockey stick. Players are not permitted to use their feet or any other part of their body to control the ball.

Only the goalkeeper is permitted to use their hands and feet to block or catch the ball.

A free hit is awarded when the ball hits an opposition player’s body or for other specific infractions. To take a free hit, the ball must be stationary, and opposing players must be at least five meters away. 

Free hits are strategically important for restarting play and can significantly impact the game’s flow. Players are allowed to pass to their teammates by scooping up the ball high into the air and dropping it to them. 

However, if the shot is deemed dangerous play, such as when the ball is lifted above knee height near opponents or poses a risk of injury, the referee may call the pass as an infringement. Dangerous play is determined at the umpire’s discretion and includes any action that could endanger another player.

Infringements caused inside of the ‘D’ will award the attacking team a penalty stroke. When this happens, the game is paused whilst the penalty is taken.

Other infringements include aggressive tackling fouls, such as making contact with an opponent’s stick or being too rough in attempting to remove the ball from their opponent’s control. It is up to the referees to police the game, and should players continually commit fouls then referees will show players any one of three coloured cards. In cases of simultaneous penalties or certain interruptions, play may be restarted with a face off, where two players face each other with the ball on the ground between them, tapping the ground and their opponent’s stick to put the ball into play.

Penalty corners and strategies

Penalty corners are among the most exciting and strategic moments in a field hockey match.

Awarded when the defending team commits a foul inside the shooting circle, a penalty corner gives the attacking team a prime opportunity to score. Teams and coaches spend significant time developing set plays for these situations, often employing techniques like the drag flick or slap shot to outmanoeuvre defenders and the goalkeeper.

The International Hockey Federation has established clear rules for penalty corners, including how the ball must be played from the back line and the positioning of defenders. Success in these moments often comes down to precise execution and creative tactics, making penalty corners a focal point for both players and fans.

Mastery of penalty corner strategies can be a game-changer, influencing the outcome of matches and providing key moments for field hockey betting markets.

Cards in field hockey

Field hockey has three different coloured cards for warnings and suspensions:

When a green card is shown, the player concerned has to leave the field for two minutes.

A yellow card is shown for a suspension where the card-issuing referee decides the time. Typically, this is for five minutes, however if the offence is more severe, the time may be exceeded by more than five minutes.

A red card, as with football, is an exclusion from the remainder of the game, without substitution. Players must also leave the pitch and surrounding team areas. Usually, a player shown a red card will miss subsequent matches due to the severity of the card being shown.

International competitions

Field hockey holds a prominent place on the world stage, with international competitions attracting the best teams from around the globe.

As an Olympic sport, field hockey features in the Olympic Games, where teams compete for the coveted gold medal under the watchful eye of the International Hockey Federation, the sport’s global governing body. Other major tournaments include the World Cup and the Champions Trophy, each showcasing elite talent and high-stakes matches. The FIH is responsible for organising these competitions, setting the rules, and ensuring fair play through innovations like video umpiring.

International competitions not only determine the world’s top teams but also drive the evolution of the sport, inspiring new generations of players and fans.

For those interested in field hockey betting, these global events offer a wealth of opportunities to place bets and follow the action as teams compete for international glory.

How to bet on field hockey: know the game

With this guide to field hockey, you should have enough to get started watching and betting on your first field hockey game. If you can follow the fast-paced action, you’ll find yourself hooked on speed-style matches packed with tactical team entertainment. For new fans, recreational play is a great way to get involved in field hockey at the grassroots level before progressing to more competitive formats.

Field hockey matches are typically split into four periods of 15 minutes. Traditionally, matches consisted of two 35-minute halves with a half time break, but the modern format now uses four quarters with shorter intervals.

Each team fields 11 players, including a goalkeeper. Played on artificial turf, the sport rewards skill, positional awareness, and swift transitions. With its quick pace and constant ball movement, it offers engaging opportunities for in-play betting and pre-match analysis alike.

What to consider when betting on field hockey:

• Recent form and world rankings
• Penalty corner conversion rates
• Goalkeeper performance under pressure
• Playing style (high press vs. deep defence)
• Injuries and squad rotation
• Tournament setting or surface type
• Performance and form of key athletes, as their impact can be decisive in winning matches

Popular betting markets include:

• Match winner
• Total goals over/under
• First team to score
• Draw no bet
• Correct score
• Handicap markets

Odds for field hockey are calculated in the same way as for other sports like horse racing, making it easy for bettors familiar with those markets to get started.

If you’re just starting out, explore betting tipsters who specialise in team sports or niche markets. Seasoned bettors can also benefit from using arbitrage betting software to identify the best available odds across sportsbooks.

When you place a bet and your selection is successful, your bet is considered won, and you receive your payout. Winning in field hockey betting is not only about luck but also about understanding the teams, athletes, and match dynamics.

With international tournaments, Olympic status, and a loyal fanbase, field hockey offers dynamic viewing and rewarding betting potential.