Field Hockey is a form of hockey played on a large rectangular field by two, eleven-person teams. Players use small, hooked wooden sticks to advance a ball up the field with the intention of putting it into the opposing team's goal.

Field hockey is a popular, internationally played game where players use small, hooked sticks to score goals on a large outdoor field. Games are played between two teams of 11, and consist of two 35-minute halves. Players are allowed to make contact with the opposition, but only after making a play on the ball. Umpires discipline illegal behavior with a three-tier penalty card system. At the end of play, the team with the most goals is the winner.

Score more goals than the opposition by using a small wooden stick to put a ball into the opposition's goal.

Field hockey is played on a 100-yard by 60-yard rectangular field, with goals placed at opposite ends. Teams consist of eleven players on the field, and up to five substitutes on the bench. Games are divided into two 35-minute halves. Prior to the start of play, a coin toss decides which team receives the initial possession. At the start of each half, and after goals are scored, play begins with a pass from the center of the field. Players may only use the face of the stick to make contact with the ball. Tackling is permitted so long as the tackling player doesn't make contact with the opposing player before making a play for the ball. Players may not deliberately use their bodies to push a defender. Umpires use a three-tier penalty card system of warnings and suspensions in response to illegal behavior. The team with the most goals at the end of play is the winner.

Evidence of games played with a ball and curved sticks dates back over 4000 years. Modern field hockey was developed in English public schools in the early 19th century. The first international championship was played in 1895. Field hockey was an Olympic event in 1908 and 1920, before being dropped. In 1924, the Federation Internationale de Hockey sur Gazon (FIH) was founded to serve as the sport's international governing body. By 1928, field hockey had been reinstated to the Olympic program, where it has remained. Beginning in the 1930's, India and Pakistan became global powers, having been introduced to the sport by British servicemen in the late 19th century. Today, the sport is played by both men and women in many countries around the world. In recent years, South American teams have emerged as global powers.

Ball
Goalkeeping Pads
Goals (2)
Shin Guards
Stick

Field hockey is a relatively safe sport, due to a minimal amount of contact between players. Common injuries include pulls, sprains and tears to muscles and joints, as a result of constant wear.

Field hockey players must possess great speed and endurance due to the large size of the playing area. These can be obtained through lower body weight training and running long distances.

Green Card - results in an official warning from the umpire

Indian Dribble - ball handling technique of rapidly and repeatedly pushing the ball from right to left and then from left to right

Penalty Stroke - awarded when defenders commit a deliberate foul that deprives an attacker of possession or the opportunity to play the ball

Red Card - results in a permanent exclusion from the rest of the game, and usually a certain period of time or number of matches in the future

Yellow Card - results in a temporary suspension, which must be for a minimum of 5 minutes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey