A beginner's guide to hockey.

Field Hockey Equipment List:

To get ready for field hockey, here's what you'll need:

1. Hockey stick: The MVP of your gear. Use it to hit, control, and pass the ball.

2. Ball: A small, hard plastic ball in white or orange.

3. Shin guards: Protect your shins and ankles from ball and stick hits.

4. Mouthguard: Keep your teeth, gums, and jaw safe.

5. Gloves: Shield your hands and fingers from impacts.

6. Eye protection: Gotta keep those peepers safe from flying balls and sticks.

7. Athletic supporter and protective cup.

8. Field hockey cleats: Special shoes with hard soles for good traction on the field.

9. Field hockey socks: Cushion and support your feet.

10. Field hockey bag: Carry all your gear conveniently.

11. Goalkeeper equipment (if you're a goalie): A longer, thicker goalkeeping stick, gloves, and a chest protector.

Remember, some gear is optional and depends on personal preference and level of play. Make sure your equipment fits well and is in good condition for safety and comfort.

Basic Field Hockey Rules:

Now, let's go over the basic rules of field hockey:

• The game is played on a rectangular field with goals at each end. The team with the most goals wins.

• Each team has 11 players, including a goalie. Substitutions can be made throughout the game.

• The game starts with a "push back" from the center of the field.

• Players can't use their feet to kick the ball, only sticks.

• If the ball goes out over the sidelines or end lines, play restarts with a hit-in or a corner hit, depending on where it went out.

• If the ball doesn't pass the back line after a shot on goal, it's a goal-hit.

• Making contact with other players or their sticks results in a free hit or penalty corner.

• The game consists of two 35-minute halves, with a halftime break of 10-15 minutes.

• If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a shootout or extra time may be used to determine the winner.

• Scoring: A goal counts as 1 point, and a penalty corner goal is worth 2 points.

• The team with the most points wins.

Field hockey is a thrilling sport that demands skill, strategy, and teamwork. Understanding these rules and scoring systems will help you appreciate the game even more.

Who are the best international teams in hockey?

Now, let's talk about the top international field hockey teams:

Belgium: A consistent team, winning gold in the 2020 EuroHockey Championship and placing high in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 EuroHockey Championship.

Australia: A highly successful team in field hockey history, with multiple Olympic gold medals and World Cup titles.

Netherlands: A dominant force in field hockey, boasting multiple European championships, World Cup titles, and an Olympic gold medal.

Argentina: A top-performing team, winning the 2018 World Cup and excelling in the Pan American Games and the Olympics.

Germany: A strong contender, securing the silver medal in the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 EuroHockey Championship.

These teams have consistently performed well in major tournaments, such as the World Cup, the Olympics, and the Champions Trophy. But keep in mind that rankings can change based on team form, injuries, and other factors. The field hockey world is highly competitive, and any team has the potential to cause an upset.

Some of the biggest hockey brands:

1. Grays: Grays International is a UK-based company that has been producing field hockey equipment for over 85 years. They are one of the most well-known and respected brands in the field hockey world. Grays is best known for its sticks, which are used by professional and amateur players around the world. They also produce other equipment such as bags, balls and protective gear.
   
   
2. Safejawz: Safejawz is a UK-based company that specializes in producing mouthguards for all sports including Hockey, MMA, and Rugby. The company was founded in 2014 by two athletes who were dissatisfied with the mouthguards that were available on the market. It has quickly gained popularity among  players for its high-quality and comfortable mouthguards.
   
   
3. STX: STX is a US-based company that produces a wide range of field hockey equipment, including sticks, gloves, bags, and protective gear. The company has been in the sports equipment business for over 40 years and has established a reputation for producing high-quality, innovative field hockey equipment. STX is also known for sponsoring some of the top national and international field hockey teams and players.

All three of these brands are well-established and respected in the field hockey world, they have a long history of producing quality equipment and are used by professional and amateur players around the world. These brands are constantly innovating and improving their products to meet the needs of the modern field hockey player.