Hockey in Nigeria

Hockey in Nigeria

A fast game of stick and ball

Hockey is a sports game played on grass fields or ice fields; it is played with sticks with a round, flat side to move the spherical, usually a white ball, to score a goal.

Considering some countries’ limitations to ice, just as Nigeria is one of them, field hockey is generally practiced rather than ice hockey. However, there are numerous types of hockey games, such as underwater hockey.

Field hockey uses a ball, while ice hockey uses a puck. Both sports use a curved stick of differing strength to strike an object. Considering the physical elements in ice hockey, i.e., body checking, players wear more protective outfits than in field hockey.

The massive increase in speed in ice skates over shoes makes ice hockey a very fast sport. An ice hockey game is played on an ice-covered rink in three 20-minute periods, while field hockey is played in four 15-minute quarters on a pitch of about 100 by 60 yards (91.4 by 55 metres).

Complete hockey teams comprise eleven players, which include five forwards, three halves, two backs, and a well-equipped and guarded goalkeeper. As in football, team size and formation vary depending on the coaching strategy and level of play.

A goal is scored in hockey when an attacker plays the ball from inside the shooting circle in front of the goal and it does not leave the circle before wholly crossing the goal line. Low scoring is one of the characteristics of a hockey game, and players must not play the ball or raise their sticks in a dangerous way.

It’s against the rules for a player to use the back of the stick or to lift the ball dangerously. Goalkeepers wear full protective equipment, including a helmet with a face guard, while field players wear shin guards and mouthguards, and defenders may wear face masks when facing penalty corners.

Artificial (synthetic turf) pitches are now compulsory for all international tournaments and national competitions, though some national divisions and local levels still play field hockey on grass fields.

In 1928, the game was initiated in Nigeria, four years after the hockey federation was formed to normalize the game internationally.

Benefits of hockey

Just like every other sport, the game of hockey is much more than fun or as competition, as it greatly affects our health and general wellbeing, and some of the benefits of playing this game include;

Playing hockey helps to develop physical fitness.

Hockey games can also help in reducing stress; which can make one have a clear mind on both social and academic pleasures.

Playing hockey game can also help to reduce body fat; it’s very effective in burning calories and as well helps in the development of muscular strength.

It can also help in boosting the human brain. Playing hockey is a great way of developing the spirit of teamwork; because playing with 11 people gives a sense of teamwork as everyone works towards achieving success.

A hockey game involves the communication of message through eyes and gestures; which helps to improve one’s communication skills.

Explore more on SitesNG

• Contact Nigerian Hockey
• Hockey Competitions and Players
• History of Hockey in Nigeria
• All sports in Nigeria
• Nigerian athletes
• Nigerian sports statistics