Features of the Game
Field hockey is very similar to soccer in terms of strategy — defence and positioning, in fact, is at the heart of the sport, which is played on a pitch nearly the size of a soccer field. Offensive opportunities are further minimized by the fact that goals can be scored only from within the goal circle. However, the elimination of the offside rule in 1998 was designed to encourage offense, and has led to more wide open and exciting play and an increase in goals per game. In addition to the offside rule being removed, umpires have been instructed to avoid stopping the game for fouls, such as the ball touching the foot of a player, if no benefit is gained. The ball can now also be played with the edge of the stick, as opposed to only with the flat part of it, allowing new ways to strike the ball at the goal. Another rule implementation to quicken the pace of the game is the rolling substitution, whereas before, players had to wait for a stoppage in play for substitutions.

Field hockey positions.
There are four positions in field hockey: forwards, defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers. Forwards are the offensive players who attempt to score goals and the defenders protect their net. Midfielders, as in soccer, are the link between defenders and forwards. They also can play a checking role, as they try to clog the middle of the field. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence on the pitch.

Scoring.
Despite a renewed emphasis on scoring, games can be very defensive with attackers struggling to break free of defenders. Players patrol the pitch looking for open space to break free on offense while players try to maintain close proximity on the defensive side. The top nations in field hockey usually possess one or two game-breakers: superbly talented players who can make the difference by using their speed to find open space and take full advantage of the rare chances to score.
Capitalizing on penalty corners and penalties can also profoundly affect the outcome. Teams that can consistently cash in on these scoring opportunities give themselves a strong chance for victory.

Field hockey physiology.
Field hockey players tend to be slim and are built for endurance and speed. Superb hand-eye coordination for ball-handling skills is necessary, as is great agility for maneuvering around opponents and ball striking.