WIND UP, BRING DOWN, WHACK!
Games are usually played with
a white ball so it is visible from
far away on the field.
Along with the ball and
stick is the gear for players.
Like ice hockey, goalies wear
different gear from other
players. Goalies must wear leg
pads, a helmet, gloves, chest
and shoulder pads, and a
Different companies
mouth guard. Mouth guards
colored balls
protect people’s mouths so so
their teeth don’t break. Like
soccer, regular field players wear
or deflect the ball with her feet or
only shinguards,which protect
body inside the goal circle, but
people’s shins, and mouth guards. All
outside the goal circle goalies can
players wear team jerseys and
only hit the ball with her stick.
matching socks. The type of shoes
Similarly, the task of defenders
players wear depends on the field
is to clear the ball out of the goal
surface. On grass, players wear
circle. Another name for defenders is
cleats. On artificial turf, players wear
b a ck s . L i ke s o c c e r, t h e t h r e e
tennis shoes.
defenders are left back, center back,
and right back. Goalies usually
The Positions
communicate with defenders the
The positions in field hockey
most.
are a lot like ice hockey and soccer.
Midfielders are similar to
On each field hockey team, there are
defenders and forwards. Another
usually:
name for midfielders is link s.
• 3 forwards
Midfielders have to be able to play
• 4 midfielders
both offense and defense. Like
• 3 defenders
soccer, left midfielder and right
• 1 goalie
midfielder are two of the midfielders.
Field players can be substituted
Also, forwards are also very
for any other field player, but each
important to a field hockey team.
player usually plays one position.
Forwards are primary goal scorers.
The goalie guards the goal and
They also spend most of the game
communicates with defenders and
between the midfield and the other
other teammates. The goalie can kick
team’s goal. Like soccer, left and
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