A young athlete in a wheelchair uses a field hockey stick to hit a bright yellow GO ball during an adaptive field hockey session.
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Field Hockey

Field Hockey

About

Most people recognize field hockey as a fast-paced team sport played on grass or turf with sticks and a hard ball. While it is a staple in many school athletic programs and highly popular internationally, the adaptive version of the game known as All Starz focuses on making the sport accessible to athletes with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Adaptive field hockey is a flexible team sport that prioritizes connection and teamwork. The game is designed so that players can learn the fundamentals, develop sport-specific skills, and compete in a supportive environment. While the domestic All Starz events are open to everyone with no specific disability qualifications, those looking toward international competition or qualifiers should be aware that specific eligibility requirements may apply depending on the event.

Competition

Competition in adaptive field hockey is structured to be inclusive, offering opportunities for both recreational play and elite international representation. In the United States, the primary competitive framework is the All Starz program, developed in collaboration with USA Field Hockey.

Domestic Events: The premier domestic event is the All Starz Winter Invitational, typically held in conjunction with national indoor tournaments. These events emphasize skill development and team camaraderie. Domestic adaptive field hockey events are open to all athletes regardless of specific disability qualifications, and teams are often divided into Novice and Advanced divisions.

International Competition: For athletes seeking higher-level play, adaptive field hockey is part of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ParaHockey ID program. This is a globally recognized competitive system specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

International Eligibility: Unlike domestic play, international events and qualifiers may have specific eligibility requirements. These often follow the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) or FIH classification standards for intellectual impairment.

Equipment

While traditional field hockey uses very hard materials, adaptive field hockey utilizes modified equipment to ensure the game is safe and successful for all participants. These adaptations focus on making the ball easier to track and the sticks easier to handle for athletes of all ability levels.

Adaptive Field Hockey Sticks: Players often use lightweight wood or composite sticks designed for better control. For beginners, “GO Sticks” are often used; these feature color-coded grips to help athletes identify correct hand placement and larger “sweet spots” to make contact with the ball easier.

The GO Ball: A central part of the All Starz program is the GO Ball. This is an oversized, lightweight, and softer ball compared to a standard hard plastic field hockey ball. Because it is bigger and travels more slowly, it is safer for players and provides more time to react and develop hand-eye coordination.

Safety Gear: To ensure a safe playing environment, players wear specialized field hockey shin guards that are thicker than those used in soccer, protecting the leg from the ankle to just below the knee. All players are also required to wear mouth guards and protective eyewear.

Visual and Auditory Aids: Coaches often use brightly colored cones, flat markers, and even balls with internal bells to provide sensory feedback, helping athletes navigate the field and understand game boundaries.

Programs near you

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