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Field Hockey · Interesting Facts

Chapter 1: History & Origins

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown

The early rules, beach games, pioneers and odd beginnings of the sport.

1.11Rossall's Beach Game

A public school on the Lancashire coast played hockey on the sand, by the tide tables.

Test 1Rossall's beach gameTake a test

  1. The grass fields were too wet for rugby at that time of year, so they went down to the shore.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  2. The pitch vanished under the sea at high water, so the game ran by the tides.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  3. Each line was gone with the next tide, so it was drawn afresh every match.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  4. Play goes back at least to 1867, six years before anyone wrote the rules down.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  5. The rouge came from the school's early football, which imitated the Eton field game.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  6. With no forward passing allowed, close control was the whole of the attacking game.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  7. Association hockey arrived as an organised school sport only at the end of the 1960s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  8. At least 1867, 1873, 1900, the end of the 1960s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  9. 3 yards, 6 paces, 20 paces, 80 paces.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · recall

  10. As in rugby, the ball could not go forward by a pass, so dribbling ruled.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey) · applied

1.12The Surbiton Minute Book

The rules of 1876, as copied into a club's minute book, show a strange early game.

Test 1The rules of 1876Take a test

  1. The extracts open the Hockey Museum's chronology of how the rules changed.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. Right into the 1970s the rule book still described the ball by reference to a cricket ball.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. Its width could run anywhere from 50 to 80 yards as well.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. The roll came in at right angles to the line, and the roll-in lasted almost a century.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. That same 15 yards later became the radius of the marked striking circle.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. There was no menu of penalties yet, only the ball brought back and a bully.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. No measurements were given, so a committee's eye was the only test.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 7 feet, 6 yards, 15 yards, 50 yards.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 1876, 1886, 1900, 1908.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. The shoulder limit lasted a long time: the rule capping stick height was deleted only in the early 1980s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.13The Code of 1886

The Hockey Association's first code, with flags, three taps and white-painted balls.

Test 1The Hockey Association's code of 1886Take a test

  1. Flags stood where the modern 23-metre line now runs.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. Three taps stayed the ritual for over a century.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. No substitutes were allowed either, so the eleven who started had to finish.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. It took until the 1970s before two were allowed, and even then a player could not come back on.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. The stick itself had to be wood; towelling and rubber grips belong to much later days.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. Field players could stop the ball with a hand or foot, but could not kick it away.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. The code simply did not mention any goalkeeping equipment.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. One, two, three and five: the shape widens as it goes up the field.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 4 yards, 5 yards, 15 yards, 25 yards.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. Traditional leather-covered cricket balls were simply painted white.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.14Umpires Through the Years

From appeals and fixed halves to cards and signals: how the umpire's job changed.

Test 1How umpiring changedTake a test

  1. From 1907 umpires could apply the rules without being asked.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. It also made each umpire responsible for the whole of one side-line.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. Its first meeting followed on 25 July that year.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. It was formally written in as a rule only in 1927.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. The 1886 code had allowed either two umpires or one with two linesmen.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. From the 1970s a temporary suspension had to last at least five minutes.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. The Hockey Museum's chronology calls it a trip to the sin bin.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 1907, 1936, 1959, the 1970s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. April 1900, July 1900, 1927, the 1970s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. Green, yellow and red were all brought in during that decade's changes.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.15Corners Before Today

The penalty corner began as a fix for defenders' fouls, and kept on changing.

Test 1How the penalty corner changedTake a test

  1. The same year brought the penalty bully, for stopping a certain goal.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. The attackers, meanwhile, waited outside the circle.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. The rest of the team had to wait at the 25-yard line.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. Before that they had needed only to get behind the 25-yard line.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. The same year cut the defenders behind the back line from six to five.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. The first common rule book for men and women tightened what had not been umpired rigorously.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. With no stop required any more, the corner became a quicker routine.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 1908, 1961, 1987.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 1908, 1987, 1996, 2003.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. The corner is taken again one defender short, and in theory this could go on until the defence had gone.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.16The Bully's Long Goodbye

Hockey's oldest restart faded out over a hundred years, one rule at a time.

Test 1The disappearing bullyTake a test

  1. It lasted until 1963, when the penalty stroke took its place.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. It is the ancestor of the free hit defenders now take after a ball goes over the back-line.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. It was first taken from a spot 8 yards from the goal.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. It became a centre pass that could go in any direction only in 1996.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. It still turns up today after, say, an injury stops play.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. The rewrite of that year kept the idea of the bully but simplified the ritual.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. That one change was made in the same year offside went experimental.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 1957, 1963, the early 1980s, 1996.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 1886, 1908, 2004.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. It looks the same as in the 1880s, except that the sticks now touch only once.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.17Hands, Feet and Sticks

What players could once do, and what they can do now that their grandparents could not.

Test 1Hands, feet and sticksTake a test

  1. Use of the hand by anyone but a goalkeeper went only in the early 1980s.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. The same rule stopped players using any part of the body except the hand to stop the ball.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. Lifting the ball had to be done by the safe scoop, not by chopping under a hit.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. That is roughly 790 grams; today's limit is lower.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. A hard forehand hit with the edge was banned again in 2007.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. Before then a shot at the head could not legally be stopped with a raised stick.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. A side could now play with eleven field players, a choice still seen at the very end of matches.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 1904, 2002, 2007, 2009.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 1904, 1938, the early 1980s, 2007.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. It came more than a century after the first code, which had not mentioned any goalkeeping kit.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.18From Yards to Metres

How a game once measured in yards, feet and ounces went metric, and what shifted on the way.

Test 1From yards to metresTake a test

  1. A conversion table for imperial users was put at the back of the book.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  2. That is why the stroke spot sits at an awkward-looking 6.4 metres today.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  3. The later fixed figure of 60 yards is about 55 metres, the width played on today.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  4. The same year let umpires advance a free hit by 10 yards for dissent.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  5. It is the dotted line you still see around each circle.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  6. The new limits were 9 inches long and 14 inches wide.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  7. It starts opposite where the ball went behind the goal-line.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  8. 1886, 1905, the 1970s, 1998.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  9. 9 inches, 14 inches, 36 inches.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · recall

  10. Attacking free hits had to be kept away from the circle, and the dashes made the distance easy to see.

    Source: The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books · applied

1.19The Apple

An Englishwoman who went to America for a short course in 1901 and stayed for the rest of her 107 years.

Test 1Constance ApplebeeTake a test

  1. She was born there on 4 June 1873.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  2. Bryn Mawr's alumnae magazine told stories about her under that very name.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  3. She had come for a summer course and showed the game at a seminar there.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  4. She began in 1904 and stayed into the late 1920s.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  5. She had lived through the whole rise of the game she brought across the Atlantic.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  6. The association became the national voice for a sport that was then almost all female.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  7. It finally closed after the 1994 season.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  8. 1873, 1901, 1904, 1922.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  9. 1901, the early 1920s, 1981, 1994.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · recall

  10. To this day American field hockey is played overwhelmingly by women, unlike nearly anywhere else.

    Source: Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 1901 · applied

1.20Olympic Comings and Goings

Hockey dropped in and out of the early Games, with some very odd tournaments.

Test 1Hockey's early Olympic odditiesTake a test

  1. Its absence pushed a French official to found the FIH that very year.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  2. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales each entered and each won a medal.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  3. Uhlenhorster HC went over as a club and represented the country.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  4. Japan took silver all the same, since only three teams had entered.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  5. The team trained on the deck on the way there.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  6. The sea swallowed them one by one as the players practised at sea.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  7. It was the condition that eventually folded the IFWHA into the FIH.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  8. Three, four and six.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  9. 1908, 1924, 1936, 1980.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · recall

  10. India scored 38 and let in just one, in the final against Germany.

    Source: Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments' · applied

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the FIH and its continental federations, national associations, The Hockey Museum, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, clubs' and makers' own histories, museums and named reputable media.

  • The Hockey Museum, 'History of the Rules of Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org), from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book and later rule books70
  • The Hockey Museum, 'Rossall Hockey' (hockeymuseum.org/rossall-hockey)10
  • Britannica, 'Constance Applebee'; Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, 'Lore: The Apple'; Vassar Encyclopedia chronology, October 190110
  • Olympedia, 'Hockey' (olympedia.org/sports/HOC) and its edition pages; bharatiyahockey.org, 'Golden Olympic Moments'10