Indoor field hockey

Indoor field hockey is an indoor variant of the "traditional" field hockey (which is played outdoor). It is not to be confused with other so-called indoor hockey like Rink hockey, ...

Indoor hockey field

Indoor field hockey is commonly called Indoor hockey in the countries where Rink hockey is not played. It is traditionally and mainly played as a pass-time by outdoor field hockey players during the off-season, when the outdoor pitches are not available due to winter conditions. Tough, it is played in regular championships, at national and international levels. The first Indoor field hockey cup was organized in 2003. It saw emerge countries not reputed as strong field hockey countries at the outdoor international level.

The indoor field hockey differs from its outdoor parent at some points:

• The playing field is smaller than an outdoor. An indoor pitch is a minimum 18m (maximum 22m) wide by minimum 36m ( maximum 44m) long, divided by a center line. The shooting circle is a semi-circle measured out 9m from each goal post. Side-boards planks mark the sidelines helping to keep the ball in the field. The pitch is made of wood or synthetic gum.
• The goal cages are also smaller: 2m high by 3m wide and a minimum of 1m deep.
• A team consists of 6 players on the pitch, 5 field players and 1 goalkeeper, with 12 players maximum in a team.
• The game is divided in 2 periods of 25 minutes.
• The players may not hit the ball, just push it or deflect it, ad may not raise the ball except in the shooting circle, with the purpose of scoring a goal.
• The balls and the sticks are similar, even if the players use to prefer lighter sticks than for the outdoor game.

Due to presence of the side-boards planks and the smaller-scaled field, Indoor field hockey is a really quick, technical and physical game.

External link

• The FIH (http://www.fihockey.org)

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