Field Hockey Glossary

Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Field Hockey.

Term	Plain-English Meaning	Example	Also Known As
Field hockey	A stick-and-ball sport played on a field or turf surface, distinct from ice hockey.	The team plays field hockey on an outdoor turf field.	Outdoor hockey
Stick	The curved field hockey stick used to control, pass, tackle, and shoot the ball.	The player stops the ball with the stick before passing wide.	Hockey stick
Ball	The small hard ball used in field hockey.	The ball rolls across the turf into open space.	Field hockey ball
Dribble	Moving the ball with small controlled touches while running or changing direction.	The midfielder dribbles into space before passing.	Ball carry
Pass	A controlled play of the ball to a teammate.	A defender passes up the sideline after winning the ball.	Feed
Receive	To control a pass so the player can pass, dribble, or shoot next.	The forward receives the ball near the circle.	Trap;first touch
Goal	A legal score when the ball crosses into the cage under the scoring rules.	The official awards a goal after an attacking touch in the circle.	Score
Cage	The field hockey goal structure.	The ball rolls just wide of the cage.	Goal cage
Shooting circle	The marked area around the goal that controls many scoring and penalty-corner rules.	The shot counts because it was played by the attack inside the shooting circle.	Circle;D
Free hit	A restart awarded after many fouls or out-of-play situations.	The attack takes a free hit outside the circle.	Restart
Self-start	A restart where the awarded player may begin by moving the ball herself if local rules allow it.	The player self-starts and dribbles into space.	Self pass
Hit-in	A sideline restart after the ball goes out of play over the side.	The team restarts with a hit-in from the sideline.	Side-in
Penalty corner	A structured attacking restart near goal for certain defensive fouls.	The attack sets up around the circle for a penalty corner.	Short corner
Penalty stroke	A major scoring chance awarded for certain serious fouls in scoring situations.	The official awards a penalty stroke after a likely goal is stopped illegally.	Stroke
Obstruction	A foul for unfairly blocking an opponent's access to the ball with body or stick position.	The player shields the ball and is called for obstruction.	Shielding
Dangerous play	Unsafe play such as dangerous stick use, unsafe raised balls, or hard balls into traffic under local rules.	The official stops play after a dangerous swing.	Unsafe play
Foot foul	A foul or stoppage related to the ball contacting a player's foot under local rules.	The ball hits a defender's foot and play stops.	Foot
Goalie	A goalkeeper who protects the cage, usually with special equipment and rules in formats that use goalies.	The goalie clears the ball out of the circle.	Goalkeeper;keeper
Save	A legal stop by the goalie or defense that prevents a shot from scoring.	The goalie kicks the ball away for a save.	Stop
Forward	An attacking player who often pressures defenders, receives passes, and looks for scoring chances.	The forward leads toward the circle for a pass.	Attacker
Midfielder	A player who links defense and attack and often covers a lot of field.	The midfielder supports the defense, then passes forward.	Mid
Defender	A player who protects space near the team's goal and starts attacks after winning the ball.	The defender marks a forward near the circle.	Back
Marking	Staying close enough to an opponent or passing lane to make receiving the ball harder.	The defender marks the open attacker near the post.	Covering
Small-sided game	A youth format with fewer players and often a smaller field to improve touches and learning.	The clinic plays a small-sided game without full adult positions.	Modified format
Substitution	A player change from the bench into the game under local timing and entry rules.	The coach rotates midfielders with a substitution.	Sub