Field hockey, also called hockey, outdoor game played by two opposing teams of 11 players each who use sticks curved at the striking end to hit a small, hard ball into their opponent’s goal. It is called field hockey. The sustained energy and muscular strength required in a hockey helps develop fitness and endurance. Muscle strength. Playing hockey is a great way of developing your body's leg muscles, including the hamstring, hips and calves. It also improves the endurance of shoulder muscles, triceps and forearms