Indoor Hockey is a version of Outdoor or Field Hockey. It developed in Europe in the 1950s especially to allow keen hockey players to continue enjoying their sport during periods of poor winter weather. But as it is an exciting and enjoyable version of the game it is immediately played in many locations around the earth. It can indeed be played on any dense, smooth and flat surface however is usually played in a sports hall.

The pitch is therefore smaller than an outdoor field. It is only 44 metres by 22 metres at most. Something else which distinguishes an indoor pitch from an outdoor one is that indoors there are 10cm boards down the longer pitch side-lines. This keeps the ball in play more and so helps to build a accelerated, flowing and exciting game.

For indoor hockey, two teams of 6 players compete against each other using their 'hooked' sticks to play a miniature, dense, often white however sometimes coloured, ball. In indoor hockey the ball may only be pushed and not hit or flicked. Except for a shot at intention, it may only be played along the ground. Players skilfully push, pass and dribble the ball.

But, as in field/outdoor hockey, the fundamental point of the game is score by getting the ball into the opponents' intention. To do that, they have to get the ball past the other team's goalkeeper, who protects the intention, and logically, tries to keep the ball out!

Latest Indoor Hockey: