Alberta_Rose

If you ask most Canadians, they consider it a girl's game too

Novocastrian

Well, they're clearly wrong. Although at least they're fully inconsistent: most Canadians consider Iced Hockey to be a boy's game.

Lord Vader

What is with the Candy Cane sticks? that should be the number one rule change. It will open up the passing aspect of the game a lot.

Alberta_Rose

The old English head sticks were similar to the ice hockey ones. The shorter heads came in with the advent of the "Indian Dribble" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_h...ck#Head_length

Steve_P

Same as when I went to school.

iaink

The grammar school I went to (All boys) we had the winter choice of Rugby, Cross country, or Hockey. Soccer was for working class oiks, so not an option. Around that time they were national hockey champs, and the current England Coach was one of a number of boys representing england at U16 and U18 level.

Once I had the chance to drop Rugby (It was compulsory in the first couple of years) Hockey was a no brainer. I got quite good, Uni 1st XI, county teams etc.

Germany are a strong team 6:0 is no disgrace. Someone else got thumped 12:0 already in this world cup. I doubt many in England could name many of the English team either? I imagine climate has something to do with the relative popularity of the two here.
Short head makes for better ball control, and the hooked ones are very good for dragging the ball. You have to use only one face of the stick, so the ability to turn the head over the ball is critical to dribbling fast. A long flat ice hockey style head just doesnt work for that. If someone came up with an ice hockey stick with a similar short head design and perfected field hockey dribbling skills it would confuse the hell out of the defence men and goalies Passing isnt a problem, I dont really know why (ice) hockey players need a foot long head to aim for, a decent player will take the puck on the same inch of the stick everytime anyway

Souvy

Are we still talking about hockey?

<coat, please>

iaink

I'll get your hat too

Lord Vader

A longer blade makes for better puck control at high speeds and allows for different types of shots, slap, wrist, snap, backhand. The games appear quite different outside the obvious ice vs grass/turf.

iaink

Different games...ya think!

The only thing I can think that the longer toe would help with is deflecting a shot on target while screening in front of the keeper, but as you say, different games.

The whole backhand / reverse thing is the biggest difference... I dont think all those left handed (ice) hockey players would be too thrilled to have to change now! All field hockey stick are right handed.... gets too dangerous to go in for the ball if you dont know which side you are going to get whacked from if they try and hit it while you are going for it. Full on hit seem relatively rare in (ice) hockey, apart from slap shots that your tend to see coming a mile off, its all push and flick movements.

Oink

Ahh, now that explains it all.

iaink

Yeah, I was smart enough to pass the 11plus Shame they never taught me no grammar innit.

I was pissed off though that unlike many I didnt get a new bike for doing so

Oink

They didn't have the 11 plus when I was at school.

iaink

Just as well eh

Lord Vader

So I wouldn't be able to play grassed hockey. I shoot left, even though I am conservative.