One of The Greatest Pastimes, Field Hockey

Have you ever had the feeling of sweat pouring down your face with the smell of victory in the air? Well that’s what the people who play field hockey go through every day. Field hockey is a fast paced, adrenaline rushing game for anyone who has the desire to play. Field Hockey can be broken down into three main sections, history, players and equipment, and how the game is played.

Where history of field hockey begins is unknown but there is evidence of a game played with a ball and stick dating back over 4,000 years to Nile Valley, Egypt. Other games similar to field hockey were played by the Greeks, Romans, Ethiopians, and Aztecs. Ancient Greek carvings have also been found that show players wielding crooked sticks and hitting a small object. The only players of field hockey were men for many years because it was thought to dangerous for women. But then in 1880, the All Women’s Hockey Association was born (“Field Hockey” World). The very first men’s hockey club, Black Heath, was organized in 1849, soon after the establishment of the Hockey Association in London occurred in 1886. In 1887, the very first women’s hockey club was established in East Mosl

Constance M. K. Applebee of the British College of Physical Education promoted the sport of field hockey in the US in the early 1900's (“Field Hockey” US Field) The United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) for women was established in 1922 the game was featured again in Amsterdam’s program in1928. In 1975, the U.S. field hockey team went to the first I.F.W.H.A. (World Championship of women's hockey) in Edinburgh, Scotland (10th), then five years later the team received an invitation to the first women's Olympic games tournament in Moscow (“Field Hockey” US Field). The U.S. boycott in the 1980’s Games prevented the team from entering the competition in Moscow. Four years had gone by when the U.S. received the bronze medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic games. The U.S. team would keep up its Olympic tradition with competing in Seoul in 1988 and Atlanta in 1996. After the FIH made the first women’s cup in 1975, the U.S. team started a striking string of eventful trips to the tournament in 1983. The U.S. qualified for every one of World Cup tournaments including a bronze medal finish in Dublin in 1994. The U.S Field Hockey team continues to keep the public aware and promote the sport as a lifetime activity (“Field Hockey” World).

The most important thing needed to play the game, the field. Both teams compete on a smooth grass surface or artificial turf field 100 yards (91 meters) long and 60 yards (55 meters) wide. Different lines divide the field into different sections. A goal line runs along the width of the field at each side’s end. A wide arc that is called the striking circle extends from each of the goal lines. A center line, (also called a 50-yard line,) runs parallel to the goal lines and divides the field in half. A goal cage sits in the middle of each goal lin

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