Talk:Field hockey

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Regarding the introduction, I'm not sure whether field hockey is that much more common than ice hockey in Korea. I'm Korean, and I've often wondered myself which sport Koreans think of when they hear the word "hockey". It might even be that more people think of ice hockey when they hear the word, in spite of the fact that our field hockey teams are infinitely better than our ice hockey teams. Or it may just be because my high school was an ice-hockey-playing school. For now I'll add Korea alongside Germany there... --Iceager 10:32, 16 Aug 2004 (UTC)

I think trying to identify the finer points of language usage in Korean, Hindi, Urdu, Dutch, German, Afrikaans, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and so on is kind of getting irrelevant to the article, so I restated the original point. The Korean usage would be very relevant to the Korean-language Wikipedia, of course.

By the way, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi! :)--Robert Merkel 10:48, 16 Aug 2004 (UTC)

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I removed the bit about it being the Indian and Pakistani national sport. By any sensible definition, cricket is the national sport of both countries, as anybody from a fellow cricket-playing nation who has spent 30 seconds talking to a citizen of either country would know. They are not that strong in international competition either since the widespread introduction of synthetic fields in the 1980's. --Robert Merkel 22:10, 14 Sep 2004 (UTC)

What about some kind of history

I think it lacks a kind of history: Persian origin, big evolution of the rules (I remember, my grand-father used to throw the ball with the hand the put the ball back into to the pitch !), introduction and spreading of synthetic fields, ... I will start something that way, if everybody agrees. Any ideas welcomed. Lvr 08:41, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Definitely, though be careful about claiming an exclusively Persian origin; I believe there were a number of similar games in a number of cultures throughout history and dating to prehistoric times. I'd also suggest you add a seperate section on "history and rules evolution" to avoid cluttering up the description of how the game is played today with too many digressions on how the game was played in the past (except in a few rare cases where the information might be helpful). Anyway, great idea and I look forward to working with you on this. --Robert Merkel 13:42, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I will begin with some kind of separated page to avoid confusion while working. Do not hesitate to check my spelling. However, don't expect to have something quickly. As mentionned on my page, I'm a slow paced wikipedian ! Lvr 15:09, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I have written the first two chapters of history, at Field hockey history. Do not hesitate to rephrase my poor English. Lvr 14:46, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

"Field Hockey" page history

They are a couple of stuff that were removed from this page:

• a diagram of the pitch,
• links to other wiki

Why has this been removed. Shouldn't it be convenient to bring it back. See: this old page. Lvr 16:43, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I don't know why they were removed, they shouldn't have been, I've added them back in again, it isn't hard to add in again, and next time just be bold and do it yourself!

I was wondering about some copyright problems (for the image at least) ! Lvr 10:57, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

As the image description page says, I created it and placed it into the public domain. --Robert Merkel 13:49, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I'll be bolder next time ! Lvr 14:46, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Other "would be nice" topics

I have plan to add a section with

• the leading countries. I should not change too often !
• indoor hockey (If somebody has facts about latter issue (such countries where it is played, national competitions, ...), I'll be glad to have them).
• Other things that are missing ???

Lvr 14:46, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Summer Sport Category

I removed this Summer Sport Category. I guess it depends of the general weather of each country. Here in Central Europe, we won't play hockey during the summer because it's too hot ! We play it in automn, winter (except for a few weeks) and lent. Lvr 09:14, 17 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Agreed. That category is misconceived anyway as I've argued at length, and I've placed in on Categories for deletion. --Robert Merkel 12:56, 17 Sep 2004 (UTC)

A Dominant Sport??

Hi there,

i am from northern ireland and i am a keen player of the sport.I have been playing since I was very young along with my family who also play. My brother and I have got to a good standard,my brother represented ireland and under age levels and i got a trial for under 16. But the sport here takes a back seat to other sports like rugby and I feel that when I have watched my brother play against teams like the dutch, spanish and germans that they are far superior and wonder is this due to hockey being a popular sport or that the players are just simpply better and have good coaching from a young age? Jc22 19:08, 14 May 2005 (UTC)

Hockey is very popular in the Netherlands, as far as I can say. Lvr 09:00, 17 May 2005 (UTC)

While hockey's not a "dominant sport" anywhere in the world it seems to be most popular in those countries that you mention, as well as Australia, India, and Pakistan. By the law of averages the best players from a larger pool will tend to be better than those from a smaller pool, all other things being equal. In addition, those nations you mention have strong leagues where the best players play against each other regularly and are expertly coached. Finally, they spend money developing their very, very best players for international competition. So the answer to your question is probably "yes", to both popularity and better coaching. --Robert Merkel 12:30, 17 May 2005 (UTC)