Essay on Hockey: Hockey is the national game of India. It is played with a stick and a ball. The game requires two teams, and each team comprises 11 players. The main aim of each team is to score as many goals possible against the opponent team. India has bagged six gold medals till date in the Olympics. It is a popular outdoor game. The period between the years 1928 to 1956 are considered the golden period of Indian hockey.
Essay on Hockey 500 Words in English
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Below we have provided Hockey Essay in English, suitable for class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 students.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky
Hockey is the national sport of India. The word hockey is said to be originated from the French word Hoquet that means shepherd’s crook. There is evidence suggesting that hockey was first played in Egypt and Ethiopia, and there are proofs in museums that suggest that this sport was also one played by the Greeks, the Romans and the Indians. India’s first hockey club was formed in the city of Calcutta, better known now as Kolkata. In the year 1925, the Indian Hockey Federation was formed, which gave a chance to all players to play and prove themselves on a global scale.
India becomes world champions in hockey by winning the gold medal at the Amsterdam Olympics in the year 1928. Various trophies are associated with hockey. They include Lady Rata Trophy (for women), Ragaswamy Cup, Dhyan Chand Trophy, Scindia Gold Cup and many others. The Indian men’s hockey team currently holds the fifth rank in world rankings while the women’s hockey team stands at the ninth place internationally.
Types of Hockey
Bandy also known as Banty, is a form of hockey which is mostly played in Mongolia and the Scandinavian countries. It is the national sport of Russia and has its roots originating in England. It comprises of 8 to 11 players and is played on a rink the size of a football pitch.
Field hockey is a form of hockey played on grass, gravel or any other sand-based artificial turf. It is also the national sport of Pakistan. The British army was responsible for spreading this game, especially in India. This form of hockey has become increasingly popular in women as well. Countries like India, Pakistan, Argentina, Australia, etc. excel at playing field hockey.
Ice hockey is a variation of hockey that is played in an ice rink with players on skates or roller blades. Instead of a ball, they have to score with a puck which is like a rubber disk. It is frozen before any match to reduce the friction and bounce on the ice. It is the national sport of Latvia and is the national winter sport of Canada. It is more prevalent in North America and Europe.
Ice Sledge hockey is another type which is played on ice by people suffering from disabilities in the lower body. Canada leads in this type of a variation, and much of the equipment required for this game was first developed there.
Rules of Hockey Game
There are a few basic and standard rules which are to be followed while playing this sport. Only two teams are to play at once with eleven members each. Players can be substituted any number of times. Only two players are allowed to touch the ball at once, and no third person can intervene.
The players should not swing their sticks too high to avoid hitting other players. The ball cannot be kicked or touched by the legs. It should come in contact only with the stick. Using the backside of the hockey stick can attract a penalty. Only the face of the stick should be used in this case.
Importance of Hockey
Playing hockey has numerous health and mental benefits. Hockey is a sport which helps you coordinate your eye movement with your body movement. It helps to burn excess body fat and also aids in time management. It can lead to people exploring their inner and hidden talents. It also leads to the formation of long-lasting social relationships and gives a sense of pride in playing the national game of our country. The start-stop nature of the game along with intervals in between allows you to have a better cardiovascular system and increases your metabolism. It is a full-body workout and also helps boost the brain and its functioning.
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