Hockey is a fun game that has roots tracing back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Hockey is defined as a game using a stick and a ball (or puck.) Throughout the years, different forms and variations of hockey have evolved. Here are some of the most-played types of Hockey:
Field Hockey
Field hockey makes use of small ball, and is played on an artificial turf made of sand, grass, or gravel. The game started in England in the 18th century, but it was just in the 19th century when it became more established.
Field hockey is usually played in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and Africa by both sexes. It is considered as the national sport of Pakistan and India. The game can be played by mixed genders, although most of the time it is between the samegenders.
Field Hockey is governed by the International Hockey Federation, composed of 116 members. Men’s field hockey has been inducted in the Olympics since 1908, while Women’s field hockey had been played in the Olympics since 1980.
Field hockey sticks are made up of carbon fiber, glass fiber or wood. The sticks are J-shaped, with a curved, flat end.
Ice Hockey
As the name suggests, Ice hockey is a game played on an ice court. It is a popular form of Hockey in Europe, Canada, Latvia, Finland, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. The game is said to have started during the 19th century in Canada and the Netherlands. However, the current form of Ice Hockey was created in 1975 by the students of McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
It makes use of a 3-inch puck made up of rubber. The puck is frozen to reduce friction when played. Ice Hockey sticks are made of composite, graphite, or wood. It is L-shaped, with a flat bottom.
Ice Hockey is governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The most famous Ice Hockey league is the National Hockey League or NHL.
Men’s Ice Hockey has been played since the 1920 Olympics, while women’s ice hockey was inducted just recently in 1998. The rules of Olympic Ice Hockey are slightly different from the rules of NHL.
Inline Hockey
Inline hockey is a type of game similar to Ice hockey. The court is a dry rink, with a line in the middle and goals at each end of the court. This game is played by two teams, with each team composed of a goalie and 4 skaters.
Inline Hockey is played in three 15-minute phases, with several variations from Ice hockey rulings. The rules are governed by IIHF, although American and Canadian Inline Hockey associations deviate from the IIHF statutes.
Roller Hockey
Roller Hockey is also known as International-style ball hockey or Quad Hockey. It also goes by the moniker Hoquiam me Patens. Although Roller Hockey requires players to use skates, it was developed long before skates were invented. Roller Hockey is enjoyed by athletes from over 60 countries, and it became a demonstration sport during the 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.
