Hobbies And Interests
Soccer
Soccer is one of the most versatile and easy to play ball games ever invented. All you need to play soccer is a round ball and some space. Traditionally, soccer is played on a grass pitch by two teams of 11 players, but it can be played almost anywhere, with teams ranging from two to 20 or more players per side, using any markers for goalposts. Different forms of soccer are played on indoor "five-a-side" courts, beaches and just about anywhere that safety permits. With the exception of the goalkeeper, players cannot use their hands and must instead use their feet or head. Passing is one of the prime virtues of soccer, and professionals who can pass accurately over a range of distances are highly valued.
Field Hockey
Field hockey is played with curved sticks and a small ball, on either an indoor or outdoor court, between two teams of 11 players. The key skill for players is handling the stick in order to maneuver the ball. Only the flat front-side of the end of the hockey stick may be used to pass, shoot or control the ball. Players may not kick the ball, apart from the goalkeeper while within his own goal area ("circle"). Due to the ball's hardness, goalkeepers wear safety equipment.
Rugby Union and Touch Rugby
Rugby Union is a game in which an oval ball is passed from hand to hand. The ball can be passed around the players repeatedly, but forward passes are not allowed. A "try" is scored when the ball is carried over the goal line, but unlike in American football, the player must actually touch the ball down to be awarded the score. A traditional rugby team is made up of 15 players. The game is physical and players are tackled to the ground, but high tackles, around neck height, are illegal. A safer variant is touch rugby, in which players are stopped by being touch-tackled. Play is restarted at the mark where the player was touched and after six touches, the ball is turned over to the opposition.
Pop Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a ball game played with sticks ("crosses"), which feature a "pocket" designed for carrying the ball. The aim is to shoot the ball into the opposition's goal. Pop lacrosse is a version of the game suitable for children. In pop lacrosse, teams play six-a-side, or five-a-side with no goalkeepers if the players are younger than 12. Plastic sticks are used, and the ball is soft, meaning that the game is safer than full lacrosse. For pop lacrosse goalkeepers, helmets are mandatory. The game can be played either indoors or outdoors, on grass or hard surfaces. Any contact made on another player with the plastic stick is a foul. Players may only hold the ball for four seconds, after which time, they must shoot or pass to a team-mate.