English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “The Game of Hockey” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

The Game of Hockey

The game of hockey is a very popular game all over the world. It is also called one of the best outdoor games.

The game has British origins. It went to different countries of the world with the British armies. The sepoys of the British army used to play this game in order to keep fit and agile.

The game is played on a large field, whose dimensions are similar to those of a football field. The length of the field is a hundred yards and it is sixty yards wide. These measurements may occasionally vary. The boundaries of the game are well marked and so are the centre and the touchlines.

This game is played with Balls, Hockey sticks, goal-posts, and protective guards for the goal-keeper. Two teams consisting of eleven players face each other on the field. They are dressed in shorts and shirts. These clothes bear team colors. They wear specially made fleet shoes on their feet. Two referees and two linesmen oversee the game.

During the game, the object of the players is to hit the ball with their sticks so that the ball can pass through their opponent’s goal.

The game begins with a toss. The winner of the toss is entitled to choose any side of the field. The captains of both teams arrange their players according to a previously thought game plan. However, a general arrangement of the players could be like this-Five forwards of the team stand around the center-line. Their job is to play an offensive game and try to pass the ball through the opponent’s goal, Three half-backs are placed behind the forward line. They serve the dual purpose of attack and defense. Behind them stand two full-backs. Their duty is to defend the goal and hit the ball back to the forward players. The goal-keeper defends the goal. He can touch the ball with any part of his body. However, he has to strike the ball with the stick. The goal-keeper has to remain alert all the time. The final outcome of the match depends upon the alertness of the goal-keeper.

At the beginning of the game, the ball is placed in the middle of the center-line. Two players, one from each side bully the ball. To bully the ball off, each of the first taps the ground on his own side of the ball and then his opponents’ stick three times alternately.

This game has many advantages. It strengthens and develops the muscles and invigorates the body. Our nerves become steady and our eyes become quick by keenly watching the ball. Constant running reduces fat and increases oxygen intake into the body. This game also teaches us to be attentive and careful, besides the virtues of patience and endurance. We learn the value of co-operation and harmony from this game.

In all the practice of this game does a lot of good to the youth, society, and the country as a whole.