A predominately female sport, field hockey features two competing teams with sticks attempting to shoot a ball into the opposing goal. Field hockey sticks are shorter in length than traditional hockey sticks and have curved ends like candy canes, making it much harder to control the ball. Aside from athleticism, field hockey requires exceptional team work and communication to score goals, making the role of team captain all the more important. Field hockey captains wear an armband on one arm to designate they're the team's leader. More than a uniform accessory, that armband comes with significant responsibilities.
Identification
A field hockey armband is a piece of elastic material, usually no more than two or three inches wide, worn on the upper arm to identify the captain. In lieu of an armband, captains may wear some other distinctive mark on the upper arm or shoulder to indicate their captaincy, or they may even wear the armband around one of their shin guards, according to NCAA rules. However, most captains opt for the traditional arm band due to its simplicity and comfort. Captain armbands may be any color, although yellow and other bright colors provide the most visibility for umpires and spectators.
Significance
Each field hockey team must appoint one captain to wear the armband. Teams must also choose an alternate captain who would assume the arm band and captaincy should the regular captain be injured, suspended or ejected from the game.
Features
Wearing the captain's armband allows a player to address the umpire and discuss any on-field officiating matters, such as to receive an explanation or to raise a possible concern. The captain also takes responsibility for the entire team, ensuring each player's conduct adheres to league rules and that all player substitutions are carried out accordingly.
Considerations
While a tremendous honor, serving as a field hockey team's captain also comes with responsibility. The captain must represent the team at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct from the captain reflects poorly on the entire team, and it's the responsibility of the captain to ensure all players compete according to the rules and maintain a respectful attitude toward opponents and umpires. If the team incurs any penalties for delay of game, illegal substitutions or personal misconduct, the captain receives a yellow card, resulting in a five-minute suspension from play.
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