45 field hockey terms explained, including bully, drag flick, scoop, marking and penalty corner, each with a short definition.
Field hockey terminology reaches from the rulebook to the sideline shout, and a newcomer hears both in the first ten minutes of a match. The words related to field hockey below name the strokes, the set pieces and the markings on the pitch, and the words associated with the stick and the card system sit alongside them. Use the field hockey glossary further down when you need one term explained quickly rather than the whole vocabulary at once.
Must-Know Field Hockey Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Backstick
- Bully
- Center pass
- Dribble
- Flick
- Goal circle
- Hit
- Injector
- Jink
- Long corner
- Marking
- Midfielder
- Obstruction
- Penalty corner
- Push
- Scoop
- Striker
- Tackle
- Tomahawk
- Trap
- Umpire
- 16-yard hit
- Advantage rule
- Carry
- Drag flick
- Flat stick
- Free hit
- Reverse stick
- Stick check
- Sweep
Field Hockey Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 16-yard hit | A free hit for the defense taken 16 yards from the goal line, given after the ball crosses the backline off an attacker. |
| 23-metre line | The line across the pitch 23 metres from each backline. Play restarts and free hits inside it follow their own rules. |
| Advantage rule | The umpire lets play run on if stopping it would punish the team that was fouled. |
| Aerial | A lifted pass sent high over the heads of other players to a teammate further up the pitch. Also called an overhead. |
| Backline | The line at each end of the pitch. What happens when the ball crosses it depends on who touched it last. |
| Backstick | Hitting the ball with the rounded back of the stick, which is illegal and gives the ball to the other team. |
| Bully | The old restart in which two players tapped sticks over the ball before playing it. Largely replaced in modern rules. |
| Cap | One appearance for a national team. A first cap is a player's debut, and a career total is counted in caps. |
| Carry | Moving the ball along with the stick while keeping possession. |
| Center pass | The pass from the middle of the pitch that starts each half and restarts play after a goal. Also called a push back. |
| Danger | The umpire's call for play that risks hitting someone, most often a lifted ball into a crowded area. |
| Drag flick | A powerful lifted shot dragged along the ground before release, the standard weapon at a penalty corner. |
| Dribble | Running with the ball under control, tapping it along with the stick. |
| Feet | The foul called when the ball hits a field player's foot. The other team gets a free hit. |
| Flat stick | Laying the stick flat on the ground to block a pass or shot. |
| Flick | A wrist-driven stroke that lifts the ball off the ground, used for penalty strokes and short shots. |
| Free hit | The restart given after a minor foul, taken where the foul happened with opponents five metres away. |
| Goal circle | The D-shaped area in front of goal. A shot only counts if it is taken from inside it. |
| Goal-side | Standing between your opponent and the goal you are defending, which is where a marker wants to be. |
| Goalkeeper | The only player allowed to use body and pads to stop the ball, and only inside their own circle. |
| Green card | A warning card. The player is suspended briefly before returning to the pitch. |
| Hit | A full swing at the ball, used for long passes and hard shots. |
| Injector | The player who pushes the ball out from the backline to start a penalty corner. |
| Jink | A quick dodge that beats an opponent, sometimes by lifting the ball over their stick. |
| Long corner | A free hit from near the corner flag, given when a defender puts the ball over their own backline unintentionally. |
| Marking | Staying close to an opponent so they cannot receive the ball or turn with it. |
| Midfielder | A player working the middle third, linking defense and attack and covering the most ground. |
| Obstruction | Blocking an opponent from playing the ball with your body or stick instead of playing it yourself. |
| Penalty corner | A set piece given for a foul by the defense inside their circle. The attack restarts from the backline with a limited number of defenders. |
| Press | Pushing the whole team up the pitch to win the ball back early instead of dropping into a defensive shape. |
| Push | A pass or shot made by pushing the ball along the ground without a backswing. Quick and accurate. |
| Red card | Permanent removal from the match. The team plays on a player short. |
| Reverse stick | Playing the ball with the stick turned over, on the left-hand side of the body. |
| Scoop | Sliding the stick under the ball to lift it over a stick or a defender. |
| Self-pass | Restarting a free hit by playing the ball to yourself and moving off with it. |
| Stick check | Knocking the ball away from an opponent with your stick. Careless attempts give away a free hit. |
| Striker | The furthest forward player, whose job is to score. |
| Sweep | A low, wide swing that sends the ball hard along the ground. |
| Tackle | Taking the ball off an opponent legally, by timing the stick onto the ball rather than the player. |
| Toe | The flat end of the stick head. Players talk about controlling the ball on the toe. |
| Tomahawk | A reverse stick hit, swung with the stick head turned over. Useful for shots from unexpected angles. |
| Trap | Stopping and controlling the ball, usually flat on the stick, before playing the next pass. |
| Turf | The watered artificial pitch the modern game is played on. It makes the ball run faster and truer than grass. |
| Umpire | One of the two officials on the pitch. They call fouls, award set pieces and issue cards. |
| Yellow card | A temporary suspension of at least five minutes. The team plays short while the player sits out. |
#1 Backstick
An illegal move where a player hits the ball with the rounded back side of their field hockey stick. It leads to a foul and possession is turned over to the other team.
#2 Bully
A method used to restart the game where two players tap their sticks together before competing for control of the ball. It’s a tradition reminiscent of how games were started in the past.
#3 Center Pass
The pass that starts the game and begins play after a goal is scored, taken from the center of the field. It’s a strategic moment for teams to gain initial control of the ball.
#4 Dribble
The act of maneuvering the ball on the field by tapping it with the stick while running. Dribbling requires skill and control to evade opponents and maintain possession.
#5 Flick
A quick, wrist-driven shot that propels the ball into the air towards the goal. A flick is often used during penalty corners and strokes due to its accuracy and speed.
#6 Goal Circle
Also known as the shooting circle, it’s the D-shaped area where attacking players must be inside to score a goal. Goals shot from outside this circle are disallowed.
#7 Hit
A powerful stroke made by swinging the stick at the ball, usually for long-distance passing or shooting at the goal. It’s a fundamental skill demonstrating both strength and precision.
#8 Injector
In field hockey, the injector is the player who puts the ball into play during a penalty corner. The injector pushes the ball out from the backline to their teammates positioned around the shooting circle, initiating the play.
#9 Jink
A nimble maneuver where a player swiftly lifts the ball over an opponent’s stick to avoid a tackle, effectively maintaining possession. This skillful technique adds a surprise element, often creating space for a shot or pass.
#10 Long Corner
Awarded to the attacking team when the ball is unintentionally played over the backline by a defender, a long corner involves a free hit from the corner of the pitch. It’s an opportunity to press the attack just outside the goal circle.
#11 Marking
A defensive strategy where a player is assigned to stay close to an opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball or making effective plays. Effective marking can restrict the opponent’s contribution to the game.
#12 Midfielder
A versatile player positioned in the middle area of the field, playing a crucial role in both defense and attack. Midfielders must have good stamina and ball-handling skills to support their team across the entire pitch.
#13 Obstruction
A foul occurring when a player uses their body or stick to prevent an opponent from playing the ball. The obstructing player may be penalized with a free hit awarded to the opponent.
#14 Penalty Corner
A vital set-piece awarded for an offense by the defending team inside their goal circle or for an intentional offense in the penalty area. The attacking team gets a chance to shoot on goal from a designated spot near the goal circle edge.
#15 Push
A basic but essential skill in field hockey, a push is a method of passing or shooting where the player uses a controlled movement to slide the stick along the ground before releasing the ball. This technique allows for accuracy and speed in ball distribution.
#16 Scoop
A technique used to lift the ball into the air by sliding the stick under the ball and lifting it quickly. The scoop is often used to pass the ball over longer distances or to clear defenders in congested areas.
#17 Striker
The forward-most player on a field hockey team whose primary role is to score goals. Strikers need to have a keen sense of positioning, precise stickwork, and a quick shot to outmaneuver defenders and the goalkeeper.
#18 Tackle
A defensive move aimed at taking the ball away from an opponent by intercepting their stick or the ball itself. Effective tackling requires good timing and coordination to avoid fouls and regain possession for the team.
#19 Tomahawk
Also known as the reverse stick hit, the tomahawk is a type of shot or pass made using the reverse side of the stick. This skillful maneuver is often used to surprise defenders and goalies with an unexpected shot angle.
#20 Trap
The action of stopping and controlling the ball, often using the stick, to gain possession or prevent the ball from going past a player. A good trap is essential for maintaining ball control and allows players to prepare for their next move.
#21 Umpire
An official responsible for enforcing the rules of the game during field hockey matches. Umpires ensure fair play, monitor for fouls, and manage the timing and safety of the game through their calls and signals.
#22 16-yard hit
A free hit awarded to the defending team when the attacking team unintentionally hits the ball over the backline or when an attacker commits a foul within the shooting circle. The hit is taken 16 yards from the goal line, approximately the top of the shooting circle.
#23 Advantage rule
A rule that allows play to continue if the team against which an infraction has been committed benefits more from the play continuing than from having the infraction called. The umpire may call back the play and penalize the original infraction if the advantage does not ensue.
#24 Carry
In field hockey, to carry means to maintain possession while moving the ball around the field with the stick. It’s crucial for advancing the ball and evading defenders, often seen in skilled dribbling maneuvers.
#25 Drag Flick
A drag flick is an advanced skill where the player propels the ball with a sweeping motion at high speed towards the goal, typically used during a penalty corner. It combines the power of a hit with the control of a push.
#26 Flat Stick
A defensive technique, the flat stick refers to placing the stick flat on the ground to stop or deflect the ball. This maneuver is effective for blocking shots or passes and is a fundamental defensive skill.
#27 Free Hit
After a minor foul, a free hit is awarded to the non-offending team similar to a free kick in soccer. It’s taken from where the infraction occurred and the opposing team must stand 5 meters away.
#28 Reverse Stick
The reverse stick is when a player uses the opposite, or backside, of the stick to control or shoot the ball. It’s a versatile move that adds unpredictability and can catch opponents off guard.
#29 Stick Check
A stick check is a defensive move aimed at dispossessing the opponent by knocking the ball away with one’s stick. However, careless stick checking can lead to fouls if not executed properly.
#30 Sweep
A sweeping motion used to hit the ball, where the player extends their arms and swings the stick in a wide arc close to the ground. This technique is used for passing over longer distances and can also be effective in defensive situations to clear the ball from danger areas.
FAQ
What is a cap in field hockey?
A cap is one appearance for a national team. A player’s first cap is their international debut, and the total number of caps is the usual way of describing how long they have played at that level.
What is it called when the ball hits a player’s foot in field hockey?
It is called feet, and it is a foul for every player except the goalkeeper inside their own circle. The umpire gives a free hit to the other team.
What is it called when the ball is lifted high down the pitch?
An aerial, also called an overhead. The ball is flicked high over the players in between and has to be received safely, with defenders giving the receiving player space to take it down.
What is a push back in field hockey?
The push back is the center pass that starts each half and restarts the game after a goal is scored. It is taken from the middle of the halfway line.
What is the bully in field hockey?
The bully was the traditional restart, with two opposing players tapping their sticks together over the ball before playing it. Modern rules use it rarely, and most restarts are now taken as a free hit or a center pass instead.
They group into strokes (push, hit, flick, scoop, sweep, drag flick), set pieces (penalty corner, long corner, free hit, 16-yard hit), pitch markings (goal circle, backline, 23-metre line) and officiating (umpire, green card, yellow card, obstruction). The field hockey glossary above lists them all in one place.
What are some Field Hockey terms for beginners?
“Backstick,” “Dribble,” and “Push” are some Field Hockey terms beginners should start with. These relate to essential playing techniques and rules newcomers need to understand.
What are some funny Field Hockey terms?
“Bully” and “Jink” are some funny Field Hockey terms which add character to the sport, with ‘bully’ referring to a method to start or restart play and ‘jink’ describing a quick move to dodge opponents.
What is a famous Field Hockey phrase?
“A great save and clear by the keeper!” is a famous Field Hockey phrase, often exclaimed when the goalkeeper successfully stops a shot and clears the ball, highlighting a crucial defensive play.
