1. Olympic-style Games for Women
The Women's Hockey World Cup is the main event in the world of field hockey. Played worldwide since 1974, the games feature the best teams from around the world in matches held every four years. The World Cup is monitored and organized by the International Hockey Federation, the same organization that runs the men's games.
2. Cleopatra May Have Played
Field hockey is one of the oldest sports that's been recorded in history. Evidence has been found that men and women were hitting a ball with a stick back and forth over a filed as far back as the days in the Egyptian Nile area when Cleopatra ruled. During the 19th century, the games became regulated and rules and competitions were formed. Field Hockey gained a slot for men in the Olympic games in 1908. Women's field hockey joined much later in 1980.
3. Field Hockey: A Simple Game to Learn
Field hockey is played with a stick similar to ice hockey sticks, but it is curved at the end. Players shoot a solid plastic ball into the goal of the opposing team. The team with most points wins. Each side has 11 players, and they have two periods of play, each lasting 35 minutes. One player guards the team's goal. The ball must be dribbled and passed down the 100-yard field using the flat side of the stick. The players' sticks can only touch the ball; it is illegal to use the body to block or kick the ball.
4. Break a Tie With Overtime Play
In the World Cup Games, there is no tie. If at the end of the two periods, the teams are tied, then there are two seven-and-a-half minutes overtime sessions added. As soon as goal is made in overtime, a winner is announced. If the game is still tied after the overtime periods, then a shootout takes place with players lined up in front of the opposing goal. The goalie must fight off these attempts to save the team.
5. Penalties Are Strict
During regulation field hockey games, the players are strictly monitored. A player without a stick cannot interfere in the game. No pushing, kicking or shoving is allowed during game play. When a referee calls a penalty on a team, the opposing team gets a free shot at the goal when no other players may interfere with the shot. Players who continually break the rules can be suspended from play for five minutes or for the remainder of the game.
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