Most people think the only difference between ice hockey and field hockey is that ice hockey is played in a skating rink, and field hockey is played on a field. But there are other differences, too. Here are some of them.
RULES
OFF-SIDES: In ice hockey, an offensive player can’t be in the attacking zone when the puck isn’t in the attacking zone. But in field hockey, there’s no off-sides rule.
FACE-OFF: To resume play in ice hockey, the official drops the puck between the two teams’ centers, who then slap at the puck with their sticks. But in field hockey, play resumes with something called a bully. The ball rests on the field between two players. The players slap their sticks together three times, then slap at the ball.
CHECKING: In ice hockey, players are allowed to check, or use their bodies or sticks to push another player out of the way. Field hockey does not allowing checking, whether with a stick or a player’s body.
SCORING: In ice hockey, a player can score from anywhere on the ice. However, in field hockey, players must be inside the striking circle to score. The striking circle is a semi-circle around the goal.
EQUIPMENT
Field hockey players wear cleats, but ice hockey players wear skates.
An ice hockey stick is shaped like an L, but a field hockey stick is shaped like a J.
Field hockey is played using a ball, but ice hockey is played using a puck.