by Dan Adkisson
Ice hockey and field hockey are two very popular sports. However, ice hockey outshines field hockey in terms of popularity and publicity even though field hockey came before. But modern sports fans prefer to watch almost every type of sport and don’t really care how publicized a sport is.
To them, there’s no difference between the sports they like. They could be checking out Quaker State 400 odds one moment and then switching to NHL and field hockey matches the next. With that in mind, let’s have a look at the key differences between ice and field hockey.
How do the rules differ between ice and field hockey?
There are a few key differences between ice and field hockey. One of the most obvious is that ice hockey is played on, well, ice, while field hockey is played on grass or turf.
In addition, the playing surface of an ice rink is much smoother than a field, so the puck moves faster in ice hockey, which is also why a ball is used in field hockey.
Finally, there are differences in the rules of the two sports. For example, in ice hockey, there is a limit of 6 players that can be on the ice for each team at one time. In field hockey, each team is limited to 11 players (10 field players and one goalkeeper).
What are the differences in the equipment used for ice and field hockey?
The main difference between the equipment used for ice and field hockey is the type of stick. Field hockey sticks are typically made of wood and resemble a hook at the end, while ice hockey sticks are usually made of composite materials and are L-shaped ate the end.
Another difference is in the skates. Ice hockey skates are designed to provide stability and traction on the ice, while field hockey players used special shoes that are designed for use on artificial turf.
The final major difference is in the protective gear. Ice hockey players wear heavier padding to protect them from the hard surface of the ice, while field hockey players only wear shin and teeth protection.
What is the difference in popularity between ice and field hockey?
There is a significant difference in popularity between ice and field hockey. Ice hockey is by far the more popular of the two, especially in the U.S., Canada and Northern Europe. Both sports have a following of around 2 billion people.
Even though there are major differences between two hockey sports, they are essentially quite similar. Fans of both sports enjoy them equally despite the differences.