Hockey : Sainsbury's 2015 School Games

In its most common form, a hockey match consists of two teams of 11 players competing to score more goals than each other by hitting, pushing, flicking or slapping a ball using a hockey stick. Matches last 70 minutes, two periods of 35 minutes, and are most commonly played outdoors on artificial turf pitches. Key skills include passing, tackling, carrying the ball (dribbling along the ground) shooting and 3D skills. Participants need a Hockey stick, shin guards, appropriate footwear and a mouth guard. Goalkeepers wear a helmet and padded body armour on their feet, legs and upper body.

As hockey is a team game, it is an excellent way to develop communication skills and learn to work effectively with other people.

History

Versions of hockey can be traced back hundreds of years but the modern version of the game was developed in Britain in the 1800s as an alternative option to football for cricketers during the winter months. The first organised club was the Blackheath Football and Hockey Club, which dates back to at least 1861.

Rules

In its most common form, a hockey match consists of two teams of 11 players competing to score more goals than each other by hitting, pushing, flicking or slapping a ball using a hockey stick. Matches last 70 minutes, two periods of 35 minutes, and are most commonly played outdoors on artificial turf pitches. Key skills include passing, tackling, carrying the ball (dribbling along the ground) and shooting. Variations include Indoor Hockey, played on a wooden floor between teams of six players and in England, Rush Hockey, a new small-sided version played by teams of four or five. Participants need a Hockey stick, shin guards, appropriate footwear and a mouth guard. Goalkeepers wear a helmet and padded body armour on their feet, legs and upper body.

Meet the Mentor

The Sainsbury's 2015 School Games athlete mentors will be available to answer questions and offer advice. The 2015 hockey mentor is Charlotte Hartley.