In hockey, how many players per side are on the field in modern field hockey?
VerifiedAnswer: 11
Explanation:
In modern field hockey, each team fields 11 players on the pitch at any given time during a match. This includes 10 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper, making it a total of 22 players on the field when both teams are considered.
The team composition typically includes defenders, midfielders, forwards, and the goalkeeper. Each position has specific roles and responsibilities, with defenders focusing on protecting their goal, midfielders controlling the game's tempo, and forwards working to score goals. The goalkeeper has special privileges, including the ability to use their body and equipment to stop the ball within the shooting circle.
This 11-player format has been standardized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and is used in professional leagues, international tournaments, and Olympic competitions worldwide. Teams can make substitutions during the match, but the number of players on the field must always remain at 11 unless a player receives a card penalty that temporarily reduces the team size.
