The stick and ball game family

Although its exact origins are unknown, in the Beni Hasan tombs in Egypt, 4,000 year old drawings were found which show a simplified version of the game we would now call hockey.  The modern game was developed in 19^th century England, and with the rise of the British Empire this form of the sport was spread across the globe, which is one of the main reasons that hockey is so popular worldwide today.

The Irish game hurling, or camogie for women, can be dated as far back as 700BC, and like hockey, in the 19^th century the modern rules were created. Shinty, played predominantly now in Scotland, has similar historical roots, and both perhaps had an influence on the hockey we play today.

Lacrosse was first played by the Native American Indians, originally called “stick ball”, with the ball being made out of wood and then later out of deerskin. The name “Lacrosse” was invented by French missionary Jean de Brébeuf in 1636, and it is argued by many that this was derived from the French term for field hockey, which was “le jeu de la crosse.”

So, what are the differences? Hurling is played on a pitch that more resembles a rugby pitch than a hockey pitch, and the goals are a cross between football goals and rubgy posts. If the ball is hit into the bottom half of the goal, the team earns three points, whereas hitting it into the top half earns one point. The stick, or hurley as it is called, has a larger,flatter uncurved head, and players can use this to whack the ball into the air or hit it along the ground. They are also allowed to kick the ball and catch it in their hand, although only a limited number of times (it’s complicated!). The players also wear helmets as shoulder to shoulder contact is permitted.

Shinty is played on a similar sized pitch and is also a physical contact sport. The stick, or caman, is shaped more like a hockey stick than the hurley, but the ball is much smaller and lighter than a hockey ball, made out of leather. A player can stop the ball with his feet (so yelling foot at the umpire apparently would have no effect) and also with his chest; he can use the palm of his hand too but he is not allowed to catch it. Also, unlike hockey, both sides of the stick can be used.

The lacrosse field is closer in size to a hockey pitch, just slightly bigger. Like ice hockey, the ball can be played behind the goal. There is an offside rule, with a certain number of players needing to be in the offensive or attacking areas at one time; midfielders can flow between. The sticks of course are different again, with nets on the ends of them; the ball is passed from net to net between the players, and it hits the ground a lot less.  Like hurling and shinty, it is a contact sport and helmets are worn for protection.

So, is hockey getting back to its roots? Today, the hockey ball is getting played in the air more and more, with 3.D. skills, aerials and drag flicks. It’s not a contact sport, although in the men’s World hockey league final last night there seemed to be nearly as much physicality in the game as the clips of hurling or lacrosse I have seen. Will we soon be wearing helmets on the hockey pitch? We already have face masks at short corners, who’s to say it won’t get taken a step further in the future?

No, hopefully that won’t happen, because these sports are different in their own right; the similarities and variations are wonderful to see. It would be sad if they morphed into one another, as they are all exciting to watch and play. Hockey remains non-contact, and although the ball is now more airborne, the majority of the play is still along the ground, unlike the others. Like its cousins, it has its unique qualities which make it an entirely different sport.

So, here’s to the fans of lacrosse, hurling, camogie, shinty and hockey across the globe; it seems we are an extended family of stick and ball games!