Back to: Jss3 Physical and Health Education (BST)

Introduction

Ball games are a popular pastime enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. These games typically involve the use of a ball and can require a wide range of physical abilities, including throwing, striking, and kicking. From baseball to tennis, football to golf, and everything in between, ball games offer endless opportunities for fun and competition.

One of the most exciting ball games is hockey. This game is played with a ball and a stick on a rectangular field that measures 91.40 meters in length and 55 meters in width. The objective of the game is for each team to score as many goals as possible by striking the ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Hockey is a high-speed, physically demanding game that requires players to possess a variety of skills, including speed, control, good reaction time, teamwork, and cooperation. Each team is made up of eleven players who work together to outmanoeuvre and outscore their opponents.

The sticks used in hockey are long and curved at the end, making them perfect for striking the ball with precision and power. The game is played on a variety of surfaces, including grass, turf, and even ice, depending on the location and the season.

While hockey is a popular sport around the world, it is especially beloved in countries such as Canada, where it is often referred to as the national sport. Hockey has a large and dedicated following of fans who love to watch the fast-paced action and the skillful play of the players.

In the first three weeks of learning about ball games, you will have the opportunity to focus on hockey and develop your understanding of the rules, techniques, and strategies involved in playing this exciting game. Whether you are a seasoned player or a newcomer to the sport, hockey offers endless opportunities for fun and challenge, making it a favourite among sports enthusiasts everywhere.

History and Development of Hockey

Hockey is a popular sport played worldwide, with a rich history and development that dates back to ancient times. The game has evolved over the centuries, from a sport played on horseback to a game played on a field with hockey sticks and a ball.

The origins of hockey can be traced back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Persia, where it was played in various forms. The Greeks played a game called “kerētízein,” which involved hitting a ball with a curved stick. The Romans played a similar game called “harpastum,” which was played with a small ball and a stick.

In the Middle Ages, hockey evolved into a game played on horseback, known as “polo.” Polo was played by wealthy nobles and was a popular pastime in Europe and Asia.

In the 19th century, hockey was played in various forms in different parts of the world. In Canada, the game was played on ice with a puck, while in England, it was played on grass with a ball.

The modern form of hockey, as we know it today, originated in England in the 1860s. The first hockey club, the Blackheath Hockey Club, was formed in 1861. In 1875, the Hockey Association was formed in England to establish rules and regulations for the game.

Ten years later, in 1886, the International Hockey Federation (IHF) was formed to oversee the game worldwide. The IHF established standard rules and regulations for the game and organized international tournaments, including the Olympics.

Today, hockey is played in over 100 countries around the world and is a popular sport in many regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia. In Nigeria, the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) was formed in 1962 to promote and develop the sport in the country.

Nature of the Game of Hockey

Hockey is a thrilling and fast-paced sport that is played between two teams of eleven players, including a goalkeeper. The game is initiated by a centre pass at the start of the match, and the teams line up in a formation that resembles that of football, with the same number of players on the field.

The objective of the game is simple but challenging: each team must use their skills in dribbling, passing, and hitting the ball to get it into the striking circle, which is located near the opposing team’s goalpost. Once the ball is in the striking circle, players have the opportunity to hit it into the goalpost of the opposing team to score a point.

The gameplay is fast-paced, with players constantly moving around the field, strategizing and trying to outmanoeuvre their opponents. The ball can be hit using the stick, or players can use their feet to move it around. In addition to scoring goals, players must also focus on defending their own goalpost and preventing the other team from scoring.

A hockey match is typically divided into two halves, each lasting 35 minutes, with a 10-minute interval in between. This ensures that players have enough time to rest and regroup before returning to the field for the second half.

The Basic Skills in Hockey

Hockey is a fast-paced, physical sport that requires a range of different skills. Here are some of the basic skills required in hockey:

1. Skating: Skating is the most fundamental skill in hockey. Players need to be able to move quickly and efficiently around the ice. This includes basic skating techniques like gliding, stopping, turning, and changing direction.
2. Stickhandling: Stickhandling refers to the ability to control the puck with your stick. This involves a combination of wrist, hand, and arm movements to manoeuvre the puck around defenders and maintain possession.
3. Shooting: Shooting involves striking the puck with the stick in order to score a goal. There are different types of shots in hockey, including wrist shots, slap shots, and snapshots.
4. Passing: Passing involves moving the puck to a teammate. This can be done with a basic push pass, a backhand pass, or a saucer pass (a high, arching pass that travels through the air).
5. Checking: Checking is a defensive skill that involves using your body to block or disrupt an opposing player. This can include body checking (using your body to hit the opponent) or stick checking (using your stick to knock the puck away from the opponent).
6. Positioning: Positioning refers to the ability to maintain the correct position on the ice in order to make plays on offence or defence. This includes understanding how to move as a unit with your teammates, how to anticipate plays, and how to stay in position to receive a pass or defend against an opponent.
7. Fitness: Hockey is a physically demanding sport, so players need to have good cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility in order to perform at their best.

 Facilities and Equipment in Field Hockey

Field hockey is a sport that requires certain facilities and equipment for a safe and successful game. The followings are the facilities and equipment necessary for field hockey:

1. The Pitch: The field hockey pitch is a rectangular field that measures 91.40 metres long and 55 metres wide. The pitch is divided into two equal halves by a centerline parallel to the sidelines. At each end of the pitch, there is a goal that measures 2.14m (7ft) high and 3.66m (12ft) wide. The pitch also includes a striking circle that measures 14.63 meters and a penalty spot with a diameter of 0.15m within the striking circle. The two other prominent markings on the goal line are the short corner mark, which is 4.55m, and the long corner mark, which is 9.14m.
2. Hockey Stick: The hockey stick is an essential piece of equipment for the game. The stick is generally made of wood, fibreglass, Kevlar, and/or carbon fibre composites. The length of the hockey stick is usually between 80-95cm (31-38″), and it has a rounded handle and a J-shaped hook at the bottom. The stick is flat on the left side and slightly curved from the top to the bottom of the face side of the stick. The weight of the stick varies by sex, with the men’s stick weighing 28 ounces and the women’s stick weighing 23 ounces.
3. Hockey Ball: The hockey ball is a hard, spherical leather ball similar to a cricket ball. The standard hockey ball has a circumference of 224-235mm and weighs 156-163g.
4. Goalkeeper Helmet: The goalkeeper helmet is worn by the goalie to protect the head and face during the game.
5. Goalkeeper Elbow Pads: The goalkeeper’s elbow pads are used to protect the goalie’s body during the game.
6. Leg Pads: The leg pads are worn by the goalie to protect their legs from being hit by the players’ stick or ball.
7. Shin Pads: The shin pads are worn by all players to protect their shins during the game.
8. Shoe Blocker: The shoe blocker is used by the goalkeeper to protect their feet during the game.
9. Shoes: Field hockey shoes (or boots) are specialized shoes worn by players to provide a good grip for running and turning.
10. The goal posts: These are two vertical posts that are positioned at each end of the field hockey pitch, which marks the goal area. The posts are usually made of metal or wood and must be 2.1 meters apart. The height of the posts is 3.66 meters and the width is 2.13 meters.
11. The sideboards: These are boards that run along the sides of the field, which prevent the ball from leaving the playing area. The boards are typically made of wood or plastic and are usually 460 mm high.
12. The backboards: These are boards that run along the back of the field, which prevent the ball from leaving the playing area. The boards are typically made of wood or plastic and are usually 460 mm high.
13. The nets: These are attached to the back of the goal posts, and are designed to catch the ball when it enters the goal area. The nets are usually made of nylon or polypropylene.
14. The flag posts: These are used to mark the corners of the field, and are typically made of plastic or metal. They are usually around 1.5 meters tall.
15. Knee caps: These are protective gear worn by field players to protect their knees from injury during play. They are usually made of foam or plastic.
16. Abdominal protector: This is a protective gear worn by field players to protect their abdominal area from injury. It is usually made of foam or plastic.
17. Glove (for the goalkeeper): This is a specialized glove worn by goalkeepers to protect their hands from injury when they make saves. It is usually made of leather or synthetic materials.
18. Kickers (for the goalkeeper): These are protective gear worn by goalkeepers to protect their feet from injury when they kick the ball. They are usually made of foam or plastic.

The Rules And Regulations Of Hockey

Hockey is a popular sport that is played by millions of people around the world. Like any other sport, hockey has rules and regulations that must be followed in order to ensure fair play and safety for all players. Here are some of the main rules and regulations of hockey:

1. Number of Players: Each team must have six players on the ice at all times, including one goaltender.
2. Substitutions: Players can be substituted on the fly, meaning that players can switch in and out of the game while play is ongoing.
3. Equipment: All players must wear helmets, skates, and gloves. Additional protective gear such as shin pads, elbow pads, and mouthguards are also recommended.
4. Offside: If a player enters the offensive zone before the puck, they are considered offside and play is stopped.
5. Icing: If a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line and it crosses the opposing team’s goal line without being touched by another player, icing is called and play is stopped.
6. Penalties: Players who break the rules can be penalized with a minor penalty, a major penalty, or a misconduct penalty. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature of the infraction.
7. Faceoffs: Play begins with a faceoff, where two players from opposing teams face each other and attempt to win control of the puck.
8. Overtime: If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period is played with sudden-death rules. The first team to score wins the game.
9. Shootout: If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout is used to determine the winner. Each team takes turns shooting at the opposing goaltender, and the team with the most goals at the end of the shootout wins.

Hockey game officials

Hockey is a fast-paced and physical sport that requires a team of officials to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game. There are several different types of officials who work together to enforce the rules and keep the game running smoothly. Here are the main types of hockey game officials:

1. Referee: The referee is the main office on the ice, responsible for enforcing the rules and making most of the calls. They wear a striped shirt with a number on the back and carry a whistle to signal penalties, offsides, icing, and other infractions. The referee also drops the puck at the start of each period and after the goals.
2. Linesmen: There are two linesmen in each game, and they work with the referee to enforce the rules and make calls. They wear a different coloured striped shirt from the referee and carry a whistle as well. The linesmen are responsible for calling offsides, icing, and other violations that occur on the blue lines.
3. Video goal judge: The video goal judge is responsible for reviewing any close or disputed goals to determine if they were legally scored. This official sits in a booth above the ice and has access to multiple camera angles to review the play.
4. Penalty box attendant: The penalty box attendant is responsible for keeping track of players who have been assessed penalties and making sure they serve their time in the penalty box. They also open and close the penalty box doors as needed.
5. Timekeeper: The timekeeper keeps track of the game clock and announces the start and end of each period. They also record goals, penalties, and other statistics during the game.
6. Scorekeeper: The scorekeeper records goals, assists, and other statistics during the game. They also keep track of the players on the ice and make sure that the correct players are credited with each play.

Values of the Game of Field Hockey

Field hockey is a sport that is widely enjoyed by people of all ages, and it offers numerous benefits to its players. The values of the game go beyond just physical exercise, as it also promotes mental toughness, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

One of the most significant benefits of playing field hockey is the total body workout that it provides. This is due to the fact that the sport involves a combination of aerobic and anaerobic elements, making it an excellent way to improve overall fitness. The fast-paced nature of the game ensures that players are constantly moving, which helps to enhance physical and mental fitness.

Another advantage of playing field hockey is that it strengthens and tones all of the major muscle groups in the body. The sport requires the use of the legs, arms, core, and back muscles, which all work together to produce the necessary movements. This not only improves muscle strength but also enhances body coordination and balance.

Field hockey helps to improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and breathing during gameplay. This leads to calorie burn, fat loss, and improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness. This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Furthermore, playing field hockey can help to maintain a healthy body weight. The sport burns calories, which helps to control body weight and reduce the risk of obesity. Obesity is a significant risk factor for a range of health problems, so maintaining a healthy weight is vital for overall health and well-being.

Aside from the physical benefits, the game of field hockey also promotes mental toughness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It requires players to think critically and make quick decisions while under pressure, which helps to develop mental agility and resilience. Additionally, players must work together as a team to achieve their goals, which fosters a sense of community and cooperation. Finally, the sport encourages sportsmanship and fair play, teaching players to respect their opponents and abide by the rules of the game.