The sport of hockey has three variations. The more traditional 11-a-side game is what we see at the Olympic Games and in the televised matches that are broadcast on the pay-per-view channels. There’s a new version that seems to be favoured by International Governing Body, the FIH, which is Hockey 5’s. This code has had its criticisms, in terms of the aesthetic qualities that comes having only four outfield players, safety concerns around being able to shoot from outside the circle and the focus on this short hand variation of the sport, when there is already another one firmly established across the world and worthy of celebration.
Indoor hockey is a six-a-side alternative to the larger outdoor game. It is a variant developed in Germany during the 1950’s and quickly spread to other countries, with national teams such as Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands becoming particularly strong in the international competitions. However, it isn’t just Central European teams that have done well in indoor hockey. Former Soviet states and Baltic countries have proven themselves worthy of merit. Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic are all placed well within the FIH World Rankings. The Iranian men’s team are also ranked third in this list, well above their outdoor rankings. This seems to be a common thread that runs through the top teams in the world and why we see some variation in the national sides that compete for honours. Similarly for club teams, although the European competitions have been dominated by the Germans; indoor hockey has provided opportunities for sides hailing from national federations that are traditionally smaller in the outdoor scene, the chance to compete and medal at a high level.
It has also given the chance for players to make a name for themselves, even become specialists. There are those have found success in both indoor and outdoor codes of hockey, sometimes even creating a name for themselves in the 6-a-side version. Michael Körper springs to mind, as one of the more well known figures in the Austrian men’s side. His national team is far more competitive in the indoor competitions then the outdoor events, thus helping him to achieve greater recognition. Other players are able to find success across the board, with greater opportunities in the different tournaments. Lisa Altenburg, for example, has won medals in both indoor and outdoor tournaments, including gold at the 2018 Indoor World Cup and a bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games.
In Britain we have several players and clubs who do well at indoor hockey. The English Super 6’s tournament is the pre-eminent indoor event in the country. Surbiton, Wimbledon and East Grinstead tend to dominate the Premier Divisions across both the men’s and women’s championships. Simon Faulkner and Richard Lane have both made good careers for themselves playing the six-a-side version of the game at East Grinstead, with even Czech internationals Filip Neusser (a world renowned goalkeeper) and Katerina Lacina both having turned out recently for this club, in the South-East of England. However, Bowdon Hightown make a strong showing in the women’s setup, with GB Olympic medalists Sam Quek, Sally Walton and Tina Cullen involved there. Additionally, Buckingham Ladies won their first national title in 2020, with the help of coach Zak Jones.
There has been several success stories across Scotland, as well. Dundee Wanderers have traditionally had a very strong side. They have produced several international standard players, including former outdoor co-captain Becky Bruce (née Ward), Emily Dark of the GB EDP and Charlotte Watson who has played a few games for Great Britain. Even from the men’s side, they have also given starts to local lads Ross and Niall Stott. Ross, is one of the hockey correspondents at the Half Court Press and has appeared regularly on the podcast, while his brother played for GB at the Olympic Games. One of Dundee’s main rivals is Clydesdale Western, with the women’s teams meeting regularly in the Grande Finale of the Scottish Indoor Championships. Inverleith Hockey Club also tend to do quite well, having won the National Championships and representing their country at continental competitions on more than one occasion, they regularly give opportunities for players to develop. Derek Salmond, who is the club’s men’s player of the decade and has played for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, still turns for the indoor side. Greg Mackenzie is a specialist indoor goalkeeper for Inverleith, and has recently been capped at international level for his country. Furthermore, in terms of Scottish goalkeeping, both the senior men’s and women’s outdoor goalkeepers have had successful careers in indoor hockey, having won Bundesliga titles, whilst playing over in Germany. Amy Gibson is a well respected goalie, who has recently returned to the UK, after having spent several years at Der Club An Der Alster. Tommy Alexander is still out there, playing to a high level, currently with Alster Hamburg. These experiences can only benefit their respective national teams.
This variation obviously has many benefits that allows for diversity in participation and success. We, the stakeholders of the sport, already have a short hand for the sport that provide the advertised benefits of Hockey 5’s. This begs the question of what makes indoor hockey special? What exactly is the uniqueness of this game that makes it such a good spectacle? Let’s explore a few details together…
Set Up of Indoor Hockey
There are a few differences in the rules of indoor hockey compared to the outdoor game. Firstly, the pitch is smaller, the court being 18 to 22 metres wides, by 36 to 44 metres long, with the shooting circle measured 9 metres out from each goal post. Teams consist of six players, including a goalkeeper, with a maximum of 12 in the squad with rolling substitutes. The FIH standard time for games is 20 minutes in each half. In the German leagues they play 30 minutes each way, with the opportunities for time outs to be called for team talks.
Additionally, there’s a unique playing style to the game. Players are unable to strike, or hit the ball, only being allowed to push or deflect it. The only time that the ball is allowed to be lifted is when a shot on goal is attempted. This provides an increase in difficulty levels for indoor hockey. These conditions on the players, when combined with the smaller pitch, mean that individual skill and anticipation, as well as team work and movement off the ball is essential in order to succeed. An over reliance on physical attributes, such as speed and power over longer distances are ineffective. Players are encouraged to play the game, instead of using physical force.
This has training benefits. If players are able to take the technical skills and decision making experiences that they have gained from indoor hockey into the outdoor game then this can create a better spectacle for televised events such as the Olympic Games. The two variations, although mutually exclusive, can help each other in terms of development of players, teams and media coverage.
Spectacle of Indoor Hockey
The way that indoor hockey has been set up has allowed for a fast, exciting and entertaining spectacle that, in my opinion, is vastly superior to Hockey 5’s. By having six players on the pitch, instead of the five in the newer version, allows for a better aesthetic. The additional player allows for more passing moves to be made, with give and goes available all over the court and attacking overloads being encouraged. The reduction of this by one inadvertently encourages the more physical traits associated with the 11-a-side code, such as sprinting past an opponent and whacking the ball as hard as you can. Six players on a team makes for a better passing game.
The shorter game times can also have a positive effect on the consumption of the sport, from a fans point of view. With the standard 40 minute matches, more fixtures can be played in a day and give the perception of better value for money with regards a ticket stub. Spectators can turn up at a venue and take in a variety of different teams, playing styles and famous faces, all within one afternoon. The appeal of this can be easily marketed to create additional revenue streams for clubs, national governing bodies and federations. It can also act as a method of inspiration for future generations of players. The watching of skilful players at a high tempo can get spectators hooked and kept in the game. Indoor hockey is an advert for the wider sports fans to get involved…
Practicalities of Indoor Hockey
There are a variety of practical ways in which running and organising an indoor hockey team is cheaper, easier and more accessible. As mentioned earlier, the playing area for the game is a lot smaller than the 11-a-side outdoor code and potentially more cost effective. It is currently played in sports halls which can be found in towns and cities across the length and breadth of Britain, in leisure centres and community hubs. This would be a fantastic place to go to in order to escape the climatic experiences in England, Scotland, or Wales, especially during the winter months. There’s also no reason why the sport can’t be played outdoors, under the same rules and regulations, if that’s what clubs want to do.
The obvious benefit of indoor hockey is that team managers can work with fewer players, thus needing a smaller pool of talent. If a club is based in a smaller hockey community, or a national team has fewer registered players than their neighbours then the six-a-side game could be the answer to being competitively viable. This has worked for national sides such as Austria, Iran and Poland. It could also work well for Ireland, Scotland and Wales, who all have a history of producing talented players in small waves. By having the opportunity to put out teams with smaller squad sizes, these national sides will be able to compete at a higher level on a more consistent basis. If the league structure is given time, space and funding in order to flourish then this will have a positive effect on the international teams, improving the technical skill sets and decision making processes of those involved, as well as their chances for success. Indoor hockey has the potential to raise the standard of play within any given hockey playing country.
