On the eve of Finals, I want to explain some peculiarities of Hockey rules that you may or may not know. I strongly recommend you to watch the finals.
But before I begin, just a quick update! India finished 9th (along with Argentina) after defeating South Africa 5-2, India’s 5th worst performance in 15 world cup tournaments. Time to refocus, regroup and move on.
Hockey is a very disciplined and tightly controlled game, unlike soccer where fake injuries, arbitrary extra injury time and few other dramas are “part” of the game. If you have watched hockey, you may or may not have realized some peculiarities of the rules. So, here I go:
– One is not allowed to push the ball out of the field deliberately. That is a foul. If it happens inside the penalty circle, then one gets a penalty corner. You may have seen the player driving the ball near the baseline. Opponent just cannot push the ball out of the field.
– During the penalty corners, there are four defenders and the goalie. All other defenders are at the fifty-yard line. If the defender (or goalie) can successfully defend and shoot the ball to these players at the fifty-yard line, it creates a very exciting counteroffensive opportunity. Super high-speed attack indeed!
– When the ball is scooped, whoever establishes the position first at the receiving end, gets to control the ball. If the opponent is within 5 meters while the receiving player controls the ball, then there is a foul. Now imagine scooping a ball inside the penalty circle. Either opponent has to clear 5 meters of space or risk a foul (and hence get a penalty corner)
– After a foul is called, if any player touches the ball, there is two-minute suspension, no drama, no pushing the ball, no arguments where the ball should be. (Remember all that stupid extracurricular activity in soccer!)
– One gets 40 seconds to prepare for the penalty corner and 30 seconds to celebrate after scoring the goal. Clock is stopped during this time, as well as during any injury. Nobody has to predict any extra time!
– One need not pass the ball while taking a free hit after the foul or if the ball had gone out of the field. Another smart way to maintain speed of hockey!
– Hockey allows unlimited substitutions (also called rotations). Typically, more than 100 substitutions happen in hockey, thereby creating breathtaking speed in the game. Rotation of course includes substituting goalie with other players or with another goalie. Many teams replace goalie with another player to improve attack if they are behind and time is running out.
– Typically more than 100 rotations happen in hockey, thereby maintaining very high speed of the game. Rotation of course includes substituting goalie with other usual players or with another goalie. India rotates goalies for every quarter. Sorry for taking all of you into the weeds (American term for “going in details”). But I Just thought that you may want to get ready for the Belgium-Germany finals knowing these details. Woohoo!
