Play Field Hockey!
Field hockey is a sport for all, a sport for life. It’s one of the most popular sports in the world and an Olympic sport for men and women.
Whether it’s competing for a gold medal, playing with your neighborhood friends, being part of a club or school program - or coaching or umpiring - field hockey can provide a lifetime of fun and great moments. USA Field Hockey is here to welcome you and help you make the most of it.
Come Play Field Hockey!#
Field hockey is played throughout the United States in clubs and in multi-sport organizations such as elementary, middle and high schools, colleges and universities, park and recreation centers, YMCAs, camps and more.
Field Hockey 101
Click Here, opens in a new tabLearn the basics of the game with USA Field Hockey's Field Hockey 101 guide.
Find a Program Near You
Click Here, opens in a new tabThere are lots of great ways to get in the game! You can find a place to play near you by clicking below.
Dare to Differ
Click hereThere’s a stick waiting to be picked up. There’s a field hockey team waiting to be called yours. Game on. Dare to differ.
Become a Member
Learn MoreBecome a USA Field Hockey Member to support the organization and receive many valuable benefits - including tools & resources, insurance, and special pricing from sponsors and partners.
How to Play#
Field hockey, known as “hockey” outside of North America, is a safe and fun sport to learn and play. Hockey is played in many different formats and in all climates. Below are International Hockey Federation (FIH) governed competition formats.
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Played by men and women in the Olympic Games on a 100-yard by 60-yard field. All middle schools, high schools, clubs and colleges in the United States play 11v11 full-field.
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Official game format for inside play that has slightly different rules and equipment, including side boards.
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Fast small-sided game that can be played on any surface with minimal field markings and constant action. Elite competitions use specially designed boards that surround the perimeter of the field to keep the ball in play. Boards are not needed for recreational play.
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Further complementary version of the sport that is played in some parts of the world by athletes with intellectual disabilities.
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Complementary version of the sport played with a different stick that has holes for the sand to pass through.
Hockey is also played and enjoyed in multiple small-sided and modified game formats for recreational and developmental purposes and for some competitions. Here are a few popular versions that USA Field Hockey uses and recommends. Small-sided games can be adapted to suit the age and stage of development of the players. Goalkeepers are not essential but can be incorporated if numbers and resources permit. The goal of developmental and recreational formats is fun and action for all, as outlined by USA Field Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM), shown below.
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Common small-sided outdoor half-field format for athletes under the age of 14.
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An official standardized small-sided game format that can be played by boys and girls to learn basic game concepts in a stage and age-appropriate setting
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Perfect for players who are looking for a less physically demanding version of the game but still enjoy showing their skills and being involved in the team and social aspect.
Where to Play#
Field hockey is played throughout the United States in multi-sport organizations such as schools, park and recreation, YMCAs and camps, clubs, colleges and university, and more. USA Field Hockey has information, tools and resources specifically designed to help you and/or your organization get started and thrive with field hockey. Need help getting started? Reach out to sportdevelopment @usafieldhockey.com.
Clubs
Find a Club, opens in a new tabUSA Field Hockey has more than 300 member clubs located around the country that provide year-round field hockey playing opportunities for all ages – youth through older adult - and all abilities – beginner, recreational, competitive, and disability inclusion. USA Field Hockey Member Clubs are independently owned and operated and encouraged to follow USA Field Hockey’s highest standards for safety and sportsmanship.
State Chapters
Learn MoreState Chapters are volunteer-led extensions of USA Field Hockey, sharing responsibility for serving their local field hockey communities. This includes its various constituent clubs, schools and organizations and all stakeholder groups including players, parents, fans, coaches, umpires, program leaders, teams, leagues, donors and sponsors.
State Chapters focus on growing the game and inspiring and serving membership in their state, while developing their field hockey stakeholders to succeed both on and off the field.
Youth/Elementary & Middle School/Multi-Sport Organizations & Camps
Learn MoreKids of all ages love to pick up a stick and get in the game. Involvement in team sports is linked to higher self-esteem, improved social skills, better performance in school, and even better job outcomes. Most importantly, field hockey is fun!
This section includes parent and athlete resources as well as information for physical education teachers, school and multi-sport administrators, including how to start physical education and other school and recreational field hockey programs.
High School
Learn MoreMore than 60,000 high school student athletes play field hockey each year across 25 states, with more states getting in the game. Field hockey is a fall sport in all states.
This section includes parent and athlete resources as well as information for those looking to start a high school field hockey program.
College
Learn MoreWomen’s field hockey is played in almost 300 NCAA institutions and is a scholarship sport at the Division I and II levels. Additionally, college club field hockey is thriving, providing coed interscholastic league play and tournaments.
This section includes parent and athlete resources as well as information to support new NCAA college programs as part of Field Hockey Forward, USA Field Hockey and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s initiative to support and grow NCAA collegiate field hockey. Support for new college club programs is also available.
Adult
Learn MoreAdults can continue to play recreational and competitive hockey throughout their lives. USA Field Hockey is invested in field hockey as a sport for life and encourages people of all ages to pick up a stick and get in the game…or back into the game.
Boys
Learn MoreYes, field hockey is for Boys!
Did you know that in most countries, field hockey is more popular – or just as popular – among boys as it is for girls?
Boys field hockey is growing in the United States, with more clubs, camps and schools offering playing opportunities for boys of all ages. USA Field Hockey has a Junior and Senior U.S. Men’s National Teams that compete in outdoor, indoor and Hockey5s competitions.
Parents
Learn MoreParents are the drivers of youth sports. Parents can support their child's success in field hockey by being engaged and educated, and by taking on important leadership roles such as coaching and umpiring when possible. USA Field Hockey has tools and resources to support parents and to help optimize the field hockey experience for all.
American Development Model
USA Field Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) is a guiding framework for athletes, coaches, umpires, program leaders and fans to get into the sport earlier and stick with it longer.
The ADM is built on six core values and provides best principles for age and stage appropriate development on how, what and when we teach, train and play to maximize fun and enjoyment of field hockey.
Equipment
Field hockey is a safe and affordable game, requiring minimal equipment. USA Field Hockey offers affordable introductory equipment especially for beginners so you can get the ball rolling in your own backyard. Shop now for plastic or wood field hockey sticks and for USA Field Hockey’s oversized GO Balls, perfect for trying the sport.