All About Olympic Field Hockey - London 2012

Forwards, defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers make up the four positions in field hockey. Forwards are the offensive players who attempt to score goals and the defenders protect the net. Midfielders, as in soccer, are the link between defenders and forwards. They also can play a checking role as they try to clog the middle of the field. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence.

Depending on a team's particular strength, coaches can use different player alignments on the field. Common formations include three (forwards), four (midfielders), and three (defenders), or 4-4-2 and 5-3-2.

Despite the recent emphasis on scoring, games are typically defensive, with attackers struggling to break free of defenders. Players patrol the pitch looking for open space to break free on offence while trying to maintain close proximity on the defensive side.

The top nations in field hockey usually possess one or two game-breakers: superbly talented players who can make the difference by using their speed to find open space and take full advantage of the rare chances to score.

Capitalizing on penalty corners and penalties can also affect the outcome- another similarity to soccer. Scoring chances are rare, so the best teams consistently cash in on these scoring opportunities.

It's hard to imagine a sport dating back to the Twin Dynasty wars in Egypt, but field hockey has that kind of legacy and the distinction of being the oldest ball and stick game. Versions of field hockey trace back to at least 2000 BC, according to archaeological evidence, such as sketches of men knocking a ball around with sticks in the Nile Valley.

The sport grew in popularity in the Middle Ages. In fact, field hockey was banned in England for a short time because it kept people from training in archery, which was the foundation of its national defence. England claimed mastery of the modern version of field hockey, which was first played in English schools in the 19th century and is believed to have been adapted from the Irish game of hurling. (Hurling is played on a grass pitch, and its players use sticks to hit the ball in mid-air through an H-shaped goal).

After field hockey evolved in Great Britain it was spread throughout the British Empire by the army, gaining prominence in Pakistan and India.

Field hockey debuted at the 1908 London Olympics and resurfaced at the 1920 Games of Antwerp. The sport wasn't an Olympic fixture until 1928, which was also the start of India's 28-year stranglehold on the gold medal in the event. During that span, India won six straight gold medals and 30 consecutive Games in the process. India would win gold again 1964 and 1980.

When it comes to individual accomplishments, India once again leads the pack and one name stands alone, in a sense: Balbir Singh, a name shared by five different Indian players during their winning streak. The first Singh scored five goals in 1952, leading his team to gold in a 6-1 victory over the Netherlands.

Dhyan Chand was yet another legendary Indian player who scored 38 goals in 12 Olympic matches, helping his country win gold three consecutive times (1928-1936). Chand was also part of the highest scoring match in international play when his team crushed the U.S. 24-1 in 1932. Chand scored eight goals in that contest but was outdone by his teammate Roop Singh, who scored 10 goals.

Since India's dynasty ended in 1956, only the Netherlands (1996-2000) has won consecutive gold medals, and the country missed out on a three-peat in Athens when it lost to Australia in the final. Great Britain (1908, 1920, 1988) and Pakistan (1960, 1968, 1984) are the only other countries to claim top honours three times.

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