Hockey 5’s
Avoca Hockey Club was the first hockey club in Ireland to invest in FIH approved Hockey 5’s boards (two sets), as we se huge benefits and potential in terms of this exciting approach to hockey, in addition to benefits in developing our players.
We run Hockey 5s sessions and competitions throughout the season for players across all our teams. It's a brilliant way to sharpen your touch, improve your decision-making under pressure, and — most importantly — have a lot of fun. Keep an eye on our fixtures and social media pages for upcoming Hockey 5s events!
What is Hockey 5s?
Hockey 5s is an exciting short-format version of outdoor hockey, designed to be fast, skilful, and accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Whether you're a seasoned club player or new to the sport, Hockey 5s offers a fantastic way to get on the pitch and enjoy the game. Introduced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 2014 for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, Hockey 5s has since grown rapidly in popularity and is now played in over 60 nations worldwide — and it's a great fit for the Irish club scene.
How is it Played?
Hockey 5s is an invasion game played between two teams, each with four field players and a goalkeeper. Matches consist of two halves of ten minutes each, with a short halftime break — just 20 minutes of hockey in total, but every second counts.
The playing area — known as the court — is smaller than a standard pitch. While dimensions can vary slightly, FIH regulations set the maximum court size at 55m x 42m and the minimum at 40m x 28m. The court is marked with a centre line and two quarter lines, similar in concept to the 23m lines in the traditional game.
One of the most distinctive features of Hockey 5s is the use of boundary boards. These boards enclose the entire court along the sidelines and keep the ball in play, resulting in fewer stoppages and a much faster flowing game.
Key Differences from 11-a-Side
Hockey 5s will feel familiar to any field hockey player, but there are some important differences that make it a unique and exhilarating format:
Scoring — Goals can only be scored from within the attacking half of the pitch. There is no striking circle or D, opening up the game considerably.
No Penalty Corners — Penalty corners don't exist in Hockey 5s. Instead, they've been replaced with a simpler "challenge" play. A challenge is awarded when a defender commits a foul in their own half that denies a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The ball is placed on the quarter line, and only the attacker taking the challenge and the opposing goalkeeper may remain in that half.
Substitutions — Teams are allowed up to four substitutions at any time during the match, keeping players fresh and giving everyone a chance to get on the pitch.
Why Play Hockey 5s?
With a smaller field, fewer players, and boundary boards that keep the ball in play, Hockey 5s is a fast-paced format where players have more opportunities to test their individual skill, and there are chances for lots of goals in a short period of time.
It's also wonderfully adaptable. While there are specific requirements for playing surface and equipment at elite level, the guiding philosophy of Hockey 5s is its adaptability for grassroots development. It can be played on natural grass, synthetic turf, and hard recreational play areas — making it an ideal introduction to the sport and a great way to develop core skills in more informal surroundings.
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