The equipment used in field hockey has evolved over time, with players in the 1800s using leather-covered cricket balls and today's enthusiasts utilizing balls made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, that don't absorb moisture as the old balls did. In fact, there are several rules for field hockey equipment employed today.
Goalkeeper Gear
The goalkeeper has equipment that is specific to the position. He needs a full helmet that also has full-face protection. The goalkeeper also wears leg pads. These cannot be more than 12 inches wide. The goalkeeper uses hand protectors as well, which cannot be more than 9 inches in width and 14 inches in length, according to USA Field Hockey. The goalkeeper also wears a different colored shirt than the other players on her team.
Stick
Field hockey players use a stick that has a straight handle and a curved head. The playing side of the stick is the lower left-hand portion, and this is smooth and flat. The nonplaying side on the right is smooth and rounded along the entire length of the stick. Players are required to use the flat side on the ball. The stick is not allowed to weigh more than 737 g.
Ball
The ball is to be made of solid plastic. It must weigh 5 1/2 oz to 5 3/4 oz. It needs to have a circumference that's 8 13/16 inches to 9 1/4 inches. The ball usually is white, but if the teams agree, another color can be used. The ball is just a little bigger than a baseball, according to Egan and Connolly.
Safety Guards
Players must wear mouth and shin guards. The shin guards are made of lightweight foam or plastic. These are needed to protect players from balls that can sometimes reach speeds of 100 mph.
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