The Rising Popularity of Hockey5s

First played in preparation for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Hockey5s ia a fast-paced, highly skilled, shorter format of field hockey, designed to be adaptable to multiple surfaces and spaces. It’s been rising in popularity over the past decade and growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Let’s take a look at what the game entails, how it differs from traditional field hockey, and the surfaces it can be played on.?

What Is Hockey5s?

Hockey5s is a shorter and faster variant of traditional field hockey, where each team plays with five players rather than the traditional eleven. It was first introduced in 2013 with the intent of improving hockey viewership figures by making the game quicker and simpler, and made its first appearance on an international stage in the 2014 Youth Olympics in China. Ever since, hockey5s has steadily grown and is now played by over 60 nations worldwide.

Why Hockey5s?

Field hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, but there is still room for it to keep growing and reach even bigger audiences. Hockey5s aims to do that, by being a simpler, more adaptable and more accessible version of the game. It’s a very unique game, as it can be played with a strict set of rules (for international matches, for example), or with more room for variation (for local or grassroots level). At the international and elite level, there are precise field measurements and turf specifications, but when it comes to community level, the field size and surface type can be adjusted to your needs.?

How Do You Play Hockey5s?

A Hockey5s match lasts for 20 minutes and is divided into two 10 minute halves with a short two-minute break in between. The game has simplified rules, such as the lack of striking circles and penalty corners. Besides those differences, the rules are mostly the same as traditional field hockey.?

With the smaller field, reduced player numbers and simplified rules, play becomes very fast paced. Players can really show off their individual skills in Hockey5s, with plenty of opportunities for goals in a short period of time.?

Where Is Hockey5s Played?

Hockey5s is a super-fast, highly skilled game, which has been designed to be adaptable to multiple surface types, environments and spaces. The court for hockey5s is around half the size of a regular hockey field. The size can differ slightly between competitions, but FIH regulations state that the maximum size acceptable for a Hockey5s court is 55m x 42m, and the minimum size is 40m x 28m.?

Unlike with regular field hockey, there are no striking circles marked on a Hockey5s court. There is a central line dividing the court into two equal halves, and two more dashed lines called quarter lines. There’s also a circular penalty spot between the quarter line and the central points between the two goalposts on each side. Unlike in field hockey where a player needs to strike the ball from inside the striking circle to score a goal, players are allowed to shoot from anywhere to score a goal in Hockey5s.

The rules of do not specify the type of surface on which the game must be played. In fact, it’s totally acceptable to play the game on any surface including natural grass, synthetic turf and hard recreational play areas. Hockey5s can be played virtually anywhere at any time, whether it be on a dedicated Hockey5s court, or a full-size field hockey pitch which has been adapted to suit Hockey5s play.

Talk To Us About Hockey5s

Here at AS Sports, we are proud to offer a range of synthetic hockey surfaces, suitable for both 11v11 field hockey and Hockey5s. From sand-dressed and sand-filled surfaces, perfect for schools and facilities looking for a multi-sport surface, to the water-based surfaces favoured by professional and semi-pro clubs, we can provide you with the perfect surface for your needs. Take a look at our hockey services page for more information, and get in touch to book a free consultation with our team.?