Field Hockey

History of English Field Hockey - 1363 AD

Imbued in English culture is a love and creator of Sports of all kinds.

I have a website where I have listed and linked to the 100+ various sports and games created by us Brits. One of our favorite games is Field Hockey which It is believed a club and ball game was first played over 1500 years ago by English Royalty.

The word 'hockey' was recorded in 1363 when Edward III of England issued the proclamation: "moreover we ordain that you prohibit under penalty of imprisonment all and sundry from such stone, wood and iron throwing; handball, football, or hockey; coursing and cock-fighting, or other such idle games".

The modern game grew from English public schools in the early 19th century. The first club was in 1849 at Blackheath in south-east London, but the modern rules grew out of a version played by Middlesex cricket clubs for winter sport. Teddington Hockey Club formed the modern game by introducing the striking circle and changing the ball to a sphere from a rubber cube. The Hockey Association was founded in 1886. The first international took place in 1895 (Ireland 3, Wales 0) and the International Rules Board was founded in 1900. Hockey was played at the Summer Olympics in 1908 and 1920. It was dropped in 1924, leading to the foundation of the (FIH) as an international governing body by seven continental European nations, and hockey was reinstated in 1928. Men's hockey united under the FIH in 1970.

The two oldest trophies are the Irish Seniors Cup, which 1st XI teams compete for, and the Irish Junior Cup.

The game had been taken to India by British servicemen and the first clubs formed in Calcutta in 1885. The Beighton Cup and the Aga Khan tournament commenced within ten years. Entering the Olympics in 1928, India won all five games without conceding a goal and won from 1932 until 1956 and then in 1964 and 1980. Pakistan won in 1960, 1968 and 1984.

In the early 1970s artificial turf began to be used. Synthetic pitches changed most aspects of hockey, gaining speed. New tactics and techniques such as the Indian Dribble developed, followed by new rules to take account. The switch to synthetic surfaces ended Indian and Pakistani domination because artificial turf was too expensive—in comparison to the wealthier European countries—and since the 1970s Australia, The Netherlands and Germany have dominated at the Olympics.

Women's hockey was first played at British universities and schools, and the first club, Molesey Ladies, was founded in 1887. The first national association was the Irish Ladies Hockey Union in 1894 and though rebuffed by the Hockey Association, women's hockey grew rapidly around the world. This led to the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) in 1927, though this did not include many continental European countries where women played as sections of men's associations and were affiliated to the FIH. The IFWHA held conferences every three years, and tournaments associated with these were the primary IFWHA competitions. These tournaments were non-competitive until 1975.

By the early 1970s there were 22 associations with women's sections in the FIH and 36 associations in the IFWHA. Discussions started about a common rule book. The FIH introduced competitive tournaments in 1974, forcing the acceptance of the principle of competitive hockey by the IFWHA in 1973. It took until 1982 for the two bodies to merge, but this allowed the introduction of women's hockey to the Olympic games from 1980 where, as in the men's game, The Netherlands, Germany, and Australia have been consistently strong.

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The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.

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My family tree has been traced back to the early Kings of England from the 7th Century AD. I am also a direct descendent of Sir Christopher Wren which has given me an interest in English History which is great fun to research.

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Developing Field Hockey Skills at Camp

Field hockey is a popular sport that has female athletes all over the country scrambling to learn more. For girls who are very serious about the sport and learning to perfect their moves on the field, there are plenty of field hockey camp opportunities available.

Generally held on college campuses where field hockey is played, these camps are designed to give potential high school and college level players and current ones, too, a serious crash course in training. Offering lots of practice time and special clinics, these camps can be ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about the sport or learn to become better at it.

Field hockey camp offerings generally come in one of two ways: residential and non-residential. The residential camps tend to cost a little more, but offer lodging, generally, on the hosting college campus. This means girls won't need to be driven to and from camp each day. Non-residential camps are designed for nearby players who can easily make it to daily sessions.

Camps of this nature can do a number of things for potential and current players, including:

* Skill development. This is the ultimate setting for field hockey skill development. With an opportunity for some serious one-on-one attention from qualified coaches, these camps and clinics can take a player and help push her towards her goals.

* Camaraderie. These camps are wonderful for developing friendships among girls who have a passion for the sport in their hearts.
* Discipline. These camps are not for the weak at heart. The idea here is to help serious players hone their skills. Those who are not willing to work shouldn't apply.

* Scholarship potential. While field hockey is played in high school, it tends to be a big college-level sport. Girls who want to earn scholarships need to show they have the right stuff on the fields. These camps can help them hone the skills to do just that.

* Specialized training. Many of these camps offer special training and clinics for certain positions. There are even all-day camps for goalies only, due to the special skills of this position.

Girls and their parents will find field hockey camps tend to be available at most institutions that field their own teams. From private high school campuses, public schools and even colleges, these camps are favorite summertime activities for many. Before signing on, it's a good idea to make sure the following is understood:

* Qualifications. Find out who will teach the clinics and what their qualifications are for doing so. Some camps offer high school coaches, others feature college level and beyond.

* Minimum requirements. Some of these camps are designed for advanced players. Make sure the requirements are understood before signing on.
* Session set up. It's a good idea to be clear on whether a camp is a day one or a residential course.

Field hockey camp can be a great way to help players advance their skills during intense training sessions. While they are a lot of work, many say they're a whole lot of fun, too.

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