The sport of field hockey or just hockey, as its known in most of the 112 countries it is played is widely considered

one of the top six sports in the world. The sport is said to be the oldest team sport in history. The games roots can date back to 4000 years ago. It was known as the ball and stick game. Other countries call the sport hockey. In 1850 hockey became a popular sport in English schools. When first played a cube was used instead of a ball. Mens Field Hockey Clubs started to form in England. The sport was originally considered too dangerous of a sport for women. It became socially acceptable because women were allowed to play croquette and lawn tennis. By 1887 the first Womens Field hockey club was formed in England. In 1901 Field Hockey was introduced to Americans at Harvard University. Started in the Olympics in 1908. The International Hockey Federation was formed. By the early 1970s, 72 countries belonged to the federation. Womens hockey became a medal sport in 1980. Today, there are 19,000 players, coaches, officials and fans who are members of U.S. Field Hockey Association. There are lots of benefits in playing field hockey and also lots of techniques and skills have to learned to played the hockey game. As well we all know coordination is key in field hockey, though physical endurance is important as well. Players should work on individual skills often to become a good player. Here is some important skills, such as Ball check is a technique which should stop the ball from running out of a players control box and into the reach of an opponent. Receive the ball as in forehand receiving. Once the ball is under control and within the control box, move the left hand to the back of the stick and use it to turn the stick. Roll the stick in the right hand so it travels over the ball and ends up with the toe of the stick pointing at the feet, and the face pointing behind and against the ball. Once the ball has been checked or stopped, turn the stick back with the left hand, and use the shake-hands grip. Players should now be in a position to dribble, pass, or shoot once again. There is 5 types of dribble which is speed dribble, power dribble, Indian dribble, spin dribble and lifted dribble. The speed dribble is otherwise known as the forehand or open field dribble. This is mainly used when a player has lots of space in front of them to gain some ground quickly. It can also be used to cut across the pitch making it hard for the defender to tackle. The power dribble can be used to make extra space. This dribble uses both forehand and reverse stick positions to allow changes of direction. A good power dribbler must be balanced, quick, agile, and coordinated. The Indian dribble is also known as the zigzag. The aim of this dribble is to try and unbalance an opponent by maneuvering the ball from side to side in front of the body. Keeping them guessing as to which side to defend against. Spin dribble is used to protect the ball when

turning away from a defender. Lastly, the lifted dribble is otherwise known as the jink or the motorcycle. It is a complex dribble but a good one to use when in trouble. If a defender has blocked the forward path with their stick low to the ground, execute the lifted dribble, using both hands, on either side of the body. Whilst dribbling the ball lift it at least 10 cm into the air and then touch it to the left or right before it drops to the ground. The second skills for field hockey is role of a defender is to stop an opponent attacking the space in front of goal, by getting into a position to block or slow the attackers run. To successfully defend a one-on-one situation keep the ball in front of the body and stay the correct distance from the ball. Engaging distance is also known as approach distance, and is the distance players need to move to in order to pressurise an opponent. The give side of this technique is often referred to as push back, and involves the defender realising they are getting too close to an opponent. When this happens move back away from the attacker and resume the correct defensive position, before pressuring the ball again. The head of the sticks should be on the ground in front of the feet. Pressure the ball, but stay balanced and in a defensive position, be aware of the distance from the ball, and look for opportunities to tackle. Futher more, to be mentally prepared means preparing ahead of time to be your best. This increases your self-confidence and keeps you focused during the game because you will have thought in advance about what you want to do in any situation. This in turn will improve your performance. Just as you exercise your body to be in shape to play the game, you must exercise your mind to be in shape to play the game. If your body is ready but your mind is not, you will probably not get the results you want. Mental preparation for a game should start long before the puck drops. It means thinking about how you will position yourself, challenge your opponents and manoeuvre the puck. By the time the game begins, you should already have visualized your performance. Both players and coaches need to have a personal mental game plan, which means a personal strategy on how they intend to perform during the game. As you go up in levels, you will encounter more and more talented athletes. While team skills are equal and player skills are comparable, the difference between success and failure will be found in the mental game.

There was a lot of benefits in playing hockey. First and perhaps most obvious is the benefit hockey gives to developing stronger and more defined muscles. Hockey is a sport that requires quite a bit of leg strength, particularly in your quad and calf muscles. In order to be able to generate quick bursts of speed, you need to be able to use your leg muscles to propel

yourself forward on. This also requires strong core strength which hockey will build. Youll need strong abdominal muscles for balance and overall body strength. Lastly, it may not seem as obvious but it can get exhausting to hold onto a hockey stick for the entirety of a game and be able to aim your shots at the puck accurately. The more you practice, the more hockey will help you build strong arm and shoulder muscles. Another health benefit of ice hockey that may not be as outwardly obvious but is just as crucial to your overall physical health is increased stamina. This refers both to lung capacity, as well as the ability to keep on with whatever activity youre currently engaging in, whether its hockey or something entirely different. Hockeys fast paced practice and game environment is optimal for increasing your stamina so you can perform longer, no matter what activity you happen to be engaged in.