Hockey innovation: The Role of Hockey 5s
Hockey 5s is a refreshing and fast variant of field hockey that is drawing more and more attention worldwide. This game format combines speed, technique and intensity on a compact field. With five players per team and a continuous, dynamic game experience, Hockey 5s offers an exciting and accessible form of hockey for both beginners and experienced players. Thanks to faster game tempos and its innovative nature, the popularity of Hockey 5s is growing quickly, both recreationally and internationally.
Hockeyboarding
For Hockey 5s, solid and high-quality hockeyboarding is essential. W&H Sports offers two high-quality hockeyboarding solutions that are easy to build. Both variants consist of modular elements that are 200 cm long and 20 cm high and are powder-coated in any desired RAL color. With just four people, the boarding can be fully assembled within 15 minutes, including corner profiles and connections for hockey goals. Ideal for a fast and professional playing setup!
Len van der Hoorn
Need help?
We give personal advice tailored to the use, the environment and your situation.
Hockey 5s features
High speed
Due to the smaller field dimensions and the continuous action, the pace of Hockey 5s is significantly higher than in traditional field hockey.
Dynamic game flow
The boarding along the field ensures that the ball hardly ever goes out, keeping the game in constant motion.
More scoring opportunities
Since players may score anywhere on the field, there are more goal chances and a higher score per match.
Accessibility
The compact format and the smaller number of players make the sport more accessible for new regions and hockey countries.
Technical skills
Due to the speed and limited space, players develop their ball control, dribbles and passes faster than in field hockey.
Flexibility in playing environments
The alternative game variant can be played both indoors and outdoors, making it suitable for different surfaces and locations.
Hockey boarding
Hockey boarding ‘PROFI-line’
The hockey boarding ‘PROFI-line’ is a stable and easy-to-assemble boarding, consisting of modular elements with a length of 200 cm and a height of 20 cm. Hockey boarding ‘PROFI-line’ is double-layer powder-coated in any desired RAL COLOUR. This line has extra rubber between the boarding and plastic panel for the perfect rebound.
Hockey boarding ‘URBAN-line’
The hockey boarding ‘URBAN-line’ is a stable and easy-to-assemble boarding, consisting of modular elements with a length of 200 cm and a height of 20 cm. Hockey boarding ‘URBAN-line’ is single-layer powder-coated in any desired RAL COLOUR.
The boardings can be assembled by 4 people in approx. 15 minutes. A complete boarding consists of: 60 elements, 4 special corner profiles and 4 coupling pieces for existing hockey goals.
Maybe something for you?
Frequently asked questions
Hockey 5s is a fast and dynamic variant of traditional field hockey, where teams of five players face each other on a smaller playing field. This compact game format is designed to promote speed, technique and spectacle and is played with boarding, keeping the ball continuously in play. This makes the game variant attractive to players and spectators and ensures an intensive and enjoyable experience.
Hockey 5s is played with five players per team on a smaller field, using boarding to keep the ball in play. The game is faster, more dynamic and there are fewer restrictions on scoring goals.
Yes, Hockey 5s is accessible for players of all levels. With the smaller field and simple rules, it’s a great way to start playing hockey and develop skills
Yes, Hockey 5s can be played both indoors and outdoors, making it a flexible game format that is suitable for different weather conditions and locations
Yes, the sport is growing quickly and more and more international tournaments are being organized, including the FIH Hockey5s World Cup and other international series.
A Hockey 5s field is about half the size of a traditional field hockey field. This makes it easier to build fields in urban areas or at locations with limited space.
The rules of Hockey s5
Hockey 5s differs in several ways from traditional field hockey. The playing field is about half the size of a regular hockey field, which provides a more compact and intensive game experience. Each team consists of five players, including the goalkeeper, and a match is played in two halves of 10 minutes. The boarding along the sidelines keeps the ball in play longer, keeping the pace high. An important difference from traditional field hockey is that players may score anywhere on the field, without having to stand in a circle. In addition, players can make unlimited substitutions without interrupting the game, creating a dynamic and fast flow during the match.
Origin and development of Hockey 5s
The origin of Hockey 5s
The introduction of Hockey 5s took place in 2013 as part of an initiative by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to make the sport more accessible and appealing to a global audience. The first official international matches were played during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. This success led to further promotion and the development of tournaments worldwide. With this variation, the FIH wanted to create a faster and more exciting form of play suitable for diverse environments, from urban areas to developing countries where hockey infrastructure is more limited.
Since its introduction, this variation of traditional hockey has developed rapidly, with trial matches and small-scale competitions in countries such as India, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The rapid growth led to the FIH announcing an official international structure for the sport in 2021, which resulted in the organization of the very first FIH Hockey5s World Championship.
An important goal of this dynamic variation is to get new countries and regions enthusiastic about the sport. In traditional hockey countries, the variation is often used as an additional training format, while in developing countries it is an attractive and feasible way to play hockey without the full infrastructure that traditional field hockey requires.
The future of Hockey 5s
With growing global interest, Hockey 5s is a format of play that will help shape the future of hockey. Its simplicity and accessibility make it an attractive option for new hockey countries and young players. The FIH even is exploring the possibility of including this alternative variation of traditional field hockey in the Olympic Games.
In addition, there is increasingly experimentation with digital integration in Hockey 5s, such as live streaming, automated statistics, and interactive fan experiences, to make the sport more appealing to a broad audience. With the increase in urban hockey initiatives and street competitions, it seems that Hockey 5s has a lasting impact on the global hockey community.
Want to discover more about Hockey 5s? Or are you looking for a club where you can play this innovative hockey variation? Stay up to date with the latest developments and be surprised by the speed and dynamism of Hockey 5s!
Hands-on experience: innovation in the boarding of Hockey 5s
An important part of the success of Hockey 5s is the quality of the materials with which it is played. The boarding is essential here: it determines the speed, the flow of the game, and safety. Players and coaches from the top of Dutch hockey share their positive experiences with the boarding of W&H Sports:
"The boarding is great when you hit balls hard against it! It gives the desired bounce and the game stays nicely fast through the corners." – Kiki Gunneman, goalkeeper Pinoké Ladies 1
"The boarding of W&H Sports is really super. Very reliable bounce, stable construction, and easy to set up. What we especially really liked were the innovative slanted corners, so that the ball doesn’t stay lying in the corner, which we had with earlier boardings." – Adil Mansoer, head coach Heren 1 HC Schiedam
These reactions underline the importance of high-quality, innovative materials that contribute to the fast and smooth character of Hockey 5s. The boarding of W&H Sports makes it possible to experience this modern form of play optimally—both at a recreational and professional level.
Benefits of W&H Sports
Fast delivery
Permanent installation partner
One point of contact
High-quality materials
Great references
Expert advice
W&H Sports: Innovative supplier of hockey materials
W&H Sports is a leading supplier of hockey equipment and a reliable partner for sports clubs, schools, and municipalities. With a wide range of products, including hockey goals, boarding, and field markings, we deliver innovative and durable solutions. Thanks to years of experience, tailor-made advice, and a customer-focused approach, we remain an essential player in the hockey world.
