WOODBURY — Field hockey is known for its fast pace, strategy, and teamwork. But field hockey is not known for its eye protection.
Unlike lacrosse, where the goggles are required, in field hockey the goggles are optional. If you have ever watched a field hockey game, you might be wondering why they don’t have eye protection, especially when the ball is flying high in the air. The goggles being optional raises questions between players, parents, and coaches.
Addie Cetrone, an eighth-grade student at WMS who’s been playing field hockey for a year, said not wearing goggles is risky.
“It is really a decision; if you feel safe without them, then don’t wear them, but you can get really hurt if you don’t wear them,” Cetrone said.
She highlighted the significance of safety in sports, pointing out that wearing protective gear can help avoid serious injuries.
Some people can agree it’s harder to see with the goggles on. Mia Mendez, an eighth-grade student at WMS who’s been playing for three years and is on a travel team said she understands the hesitation.
“For newer players, it definitely helps with the eyesight to not have the goggles,” Mendez said.
The goggles have metal rods, protecting your eyes from getting hit with the ball. But those can obstruct vision.
“When you wear them, it’s harder to see while playing, which can be dangerous on the field,” Cetrone said.
Catherine Viveros, a freshman at Nonnewaug, said she has to weigh these pros and cons.
“I feel like I can see more without the goggles on, but safety is my biggest priority,” Viveros said.
Maddy Taylor, an eighth-grade student at WMS who’s played field hockey since seventh grade, said she feels OK without goggles.
“I don’t feel the need to wear them; whenever I’m around someone with the ball, it’s usually on the ground,” said Taylor, who plays defense.
Viveros, who’s played since sixth grade and has seen teammates injured without eye protection, appreciates that goggles aren’t mandatory.
“I feel that the goggles being optional is good because everyone can make their own decisions about wearing them or not,” Viveros said.
Other players think that the goggles do help, and it’s easier to wear them to protect their eyes from injuries.
“The players that have been playing longer and seen more injuries will most likely still wear their goggles,” Mendez said. “The newer players might not know what the goggles can do to protect your eyes. It can cause damage if you get hit in the eyes, and it could get to the point where you can’t play anymore.”
The ball getting lifted can be dangerous, especially when you don’t wear eye protection.
“During one game, the ball was lifted into another player, and if they had not been wearing goggles, they could have gotten injured,” says Mendez. “I’ll probably still wear them because there was an incident with another player I was playing against. She was fine, but it was really scary.”
The risks are always higher when the teams are playing dangerously. There can be many injuries if you’re not careful.
“I feel that in field hockey, the risk of getting hit in the face is very high,” Viveros said. “I have witnessed teammates suffer serious injuries from a ball or stick striking the eye area.”
There can be a lot of injuries from getting hit with the stick or the ball when it flies high in the air.
“I don’t wear goggles but I might start wearing them,” Viveros said. “I don’t want to get an injury on my face that would cause a life-changing injury.”
