veldhockey

Veldhockey, or field hockey in English, is a team sport played on a rectangular turf field by two teams of eleven players each. The object is to score goals by hitting a hard ball into the opponent’s net with a hockey stick that has a curved head. The sport is governed internationally by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The standard international pitch measures about 91.4 meters in length and 55 meters in width, with goals 3.66 meters wide and 2.14 meters high. The ball is usually white or brightly colored to improve visibility. In Dutch, veldhockey is the term used for field hockey.

Play is initiated with a center pass and proceeds with players moving the ball along the field using the flat face of the stick, while attempting to avoid fouls. Only the goalkeeper may play the ball inside the back line of the goal circle; players may not kick or use their feet to propel the ball. Common set pieces include penalty corners for the attacking team and penalty strokes, awarded for certain fouls inside the circle. Matches are often played in two halves, commonly 35 minutes each, totaling 70 minutes, with a halftime interval.

Equipment includes a stick, a hard plastic ball, shin guards, mouthguards, and appropriate footwear. Sticks come in left- or right-handed configurations and may be made from wood or composite materials. Goalkeepers wear specialized protective gear. Substitutions are allowed on many levels, with rolling substitutions common in modern play.

Veldhockey originated in the 19th century in Britain and spread worldwide through colonial and sporting networks. It is particularly popular in the Netherlands, Australia, India and parts of Europe and Asia. The sport is governed by the FIH, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is featured in major international events such as the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games, along with the FIH Pro League.