Sports Glossaries
	Glossary Index	Search Site

advance

To push, shove, or advance the ball in any way, using body, hands, or feet rather than the stick. Advancing is a foul.

attacker

See forward.

Top of Page

back line

One of two lines marking the lengthwise boundaries of the field. The goal line is the section of the back line between the goal posts.

ball

Field hockey uses a ball of solid plastic, with a circumference of 8 13/16 to 9 ¼ inches, weighing between 5 1/2 and 5 3/4 ounces.

blade

The flat side of the stick's head, which is used for hitting the ball.

bully

A method of starting or re-starting play, similar to the face-off in ice hockey. The referee places the ball on the ground between two opposing players. They tap the flat sides of their sticks together three times and then go for the ball.

Top of Page

center line

The line that divides the field into two halves.

center mark

A spot in the middle of the pitch where the ball is placed for a bully.

center pass

A pass from the center of the field, used to start a half or following a goal. The player must pass the ball to a teammate who is at least 1 meter back. Also known as the "pass back" or "push back."

clear

To move the ball away from the goal after an attack by the other team has been stopped.

cover

To position oneself between an opposing player and the ball.

Top of Page

D

The goal circle, so called because it's shaped like a D.

dangerous play

An action that could result in injury to any player, including the player performing the action. It includes an illegal tackle, a raised ball, and playing the ball while lying on the ground.

defender

See fullback.

dribble

To control the ball with short strokes of the stick while on the move. Also used as a noun.

Top of Page

flick

To raise the ball from the ground into the air with a quick movement of the stick. The ball must not rise more than 18 inches above the playing surface. Also used as a noun.

forward

A player positioned in the offensive end of the field, whose chief job is to score. Also called an attacker.

free hit

A play awarded for any infraction outside of the goal circle. It takes place at or near the spot of the infraction, and all opposing players must stand at least five yards away.

fullback

A player positioned in the defensive end of the field. Also called a defender.

Top of Page

game

A field hockey is made up of two halves, each 35 minutes in major contests, with a half-time intermission of 5 to 10 minutes. See also overtime.

goal

The field hockey goal is a net, 7 feet high, 12 feet wide, and 4 feet deep.

goal circle

Actually a D-shaped area made up of two quarter-circles, measured 16 yards out from each goal post and joined by a short straight line. An attacking player must be within this area to score. Also known as the "shooting circle" or "striking circle."

goalkeeper

Each team must have a goalkeeper among its eleven players. The goalkeeper is allowed to use the kickers and leg guards, as well as the stick, to propel the ball. The hands may also be used to stop the ball, but not to grasp it.

green card

A card issued by the referee as a warning for a minor rules violation.

Top of Page

halfback

See midfielder.

high stick

Raising the stick above shoulder level; a violation.

hit

A swinging movement of the stick toward the ball. See also flick; push; scoop.

Top of Page

inner

A forward who plays in or near the center of the field. See also wing.

interchange

A temporary switch of positions by teammates.

Top of Page

jab

To poke continually at the ball in an attempt to make the attacking player lose possession.

Top of Page

kicker

Protective equipment that covers the front and sides of the goalkeeper's shoes, allowing him or her to kick the ball.

Top of Page

link

A midfielder.

long corner

If a defending player unintentionally kicks the ball over the back line, it is put in play on the back line about 5 meters from the corner flag, and the attacking team is given possession.

Top of Page

mark

To guard an opponent closely.

midfielder

A player who plays both offense and defense, patrolling the middle area of the field. Also known as a halfback.

misconduct

Offenses that include intentional violations, time-wasting, rough or dangerous play, or any bad behavior. Green, yellow, or red cards may be issued for misconduct.

Top of Page

obstruction

Field hockey players may not use their sticks or bodies to prevent other players from hitting the ball. Doing so is obstruction. It's also obstruction if the goalkeeper lies on the ball. See also third-party obstruction.

overtime

If a game ends in a tie, teams may play a sudden-death, ten-minute overtime period, with the victory going to the first team that scores a goal.

Top of Page

pass back

The center pass.

penalty corner

When a defending player deliberately hits the ball over the back line, the attacking team is awarded a penalty corner. The ball is placed on the goal line at least 10 yards from the goal and an offensive player is given a free hit from that point.

penalty stroke

If a defending player fouls an opponent in the goal circle, a penalty stroke is awarded. The ball is placed 7 yards (6.4 meters) from the goal and only the goalkeeper is allowed to defend.

pitch

The field hockey playing area. The pitch is 100 yards long by 60 yards wide, divided by a center line and two 25-yard lines, one in each half of the field.

push

It is a push when a player moves the ball with a short, pushing movement of the stick, with both the ball and the head of the stick in contact with the ground.

push back

The center pass.

push in

See side in.

Top of Page

raised ball

Lifting the ball more than 18 inches above the ground with a hit is an offense, known as a raised ball, if it is dangerous or likely to lead to dangerous play.

red card

If a player is guilty of an intentional foul, such as deliberate body contact or verbal abuse of officials, the referee issues a red card, which results in ejection from the game and suspension of the player for the team's next game.

reverse stick

To turn the stick so that the blade points to the right, allowing a hit or push in that direction.

Top of Page

scoop

It is a scoop when a player raises a stationary or slowly moving ball off the ground with a shovel-like movement of the stick, which is placed slightly under the ball.

shooting circle

See goal circle.

side in

A pass that puts the ball back into play after it has gone out of bounds. Also known as a push in.

sixteen-yard hit

When the offense commits a foul in the goal circle, the opponent is given a free hit at the top of the circle, 16 yards from the end line.

stick

The field hockey stick is made of wood or fiberglass and has a curved head that is flat on one side and rounded on the other. Only the flat side of the stick can be used to strike the ball.

stick interference

Using the stick to hit an opponent's stick, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

striking circle

See goal circle.

Top of Page

tackle

An attempt to take the ball away from the opponent, using the stick.

third-party obstruction

Positioning oneself between the ball and an opponent, thereby allowing a teammate unobstructed access to the ball.

time-wasting

Any action or non-action that keeps play from continuing or resuming within a reasonable period of time.

trapping

The act of stepping on the ball or covering it with the body; a violation.

Top of Page

wing

A forward who plays near the sideline. See also inner.

Top of Page

yellow card

An intentional foul, such as rough play or a high stick, is penalized by suspending the player from the game for five minutes or longer. The penalty is signaled with a yellow card presented by the referee. The team plays short-handed, as in ice hockey, for the suspension period.

Top of Page