Which is more dangerous? Rugby or field hockey?

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At youth-level, I'd guess that field hockey is actually more dangerous. I say that because the youngsters are probably not yet strong enough and skilled enough to properly control their sticks. The damage from the stick - force per unit area - can be very high, especially for high-sticking

A bit the opposite is true for rugby: The kinetic energy they can develop is 1/2 mv^2, and since they are still young, neither their mass nor their speed is going to be as great as it may be later.

If these guesses are right, there will come a time when the balance tips the other way - the hockey players will be stronger and more skilled, and therefore play more safely; the rugby players will be bigger and faster, and therefor incur more inherent risk.

As pointed out above, there are special rules for youth rugby intended to enhance safety, and referees will be especially sensitive to this matter with youth. The critical issue for "safe" rugby will be good coaching - especially for the forwards. Well coached rugby players play safely, because they are well conditioned and well taught in the mechanics. (I'm sure the same is true for hockey.)

They both are great games - I hope she enjoys either or both.

Mark L.

Edit: "Her mother and I have to occasionally pull her back because she wants to do too much..."

Good for you; sometimes that's needed, and as her parents you are best placed to recognize it....Show more

Nowdays especially at youth level, outside the front row there is little chance of serious injury and even in the front row it is greatly diminished with the youth rules around. I have broken my thumb, nose and fractured my eye socket playing rugby, but those were all after I left school. The worst anyone in my teams at school got were raked faces (illegal and only ever when playing a team from a certain school), concussions and rucked backs (back in the day when you could ruck). There are strict rules regarding concussions now to prevent players being rushed back too quickly.
On saying all of that, there is no way in hell you would ever get me to play field hockey. Kids running around with sticks and a hard ball ... No way, there is a reason in my opinion why the goalies dress like they do. As Mark L says (and he's usually correct) when they're older and more controlled it may be safer, but when my daughters are old enough to play sport, I'll feel much more comfrotable and enjoy watching more if they chose Rugby. I wouldn't stop them playing hockey though....Show more

Im In A Wheelchair For 13 Months!!! This Is Because A Scrum Collapsed And I Was Playing Front Row I Usually Play Wing...!!
FIELD HOCKEY ALL THE WAY...Show more

How the heck does one get bitten playing rugby? Weren't the players wearing mouth guards?

I can't speak for field hockey, but in rugby the chances (and type) of injury depends on position. But with the exception of front-row scrummers (and there are special rules in place for youth teams for those situations) there isn't a lot more risk of serious injury than in soccer -- usually the result of accidental head collisions or fluke ankle-turnings and such. Of course, in rugby language, cuts, bruises and scrapes don't count as injuries.

And at least nobody is swinging large pieces of hardwood about....Show more

Don't worry about him. I agree with everything the first guy said, it's a tough sport, but it's not as bad for injuries as you would think. Sure your friend will get bumps and bruise, probably every game, but in three years of playing rugby at the high school and collegiate levels, I have only seen a few serious injuries (torn MCL, broken wrist, and a few concussions) to players on my team. That is far less injuries than I saw to players on the football team I played on for two years. You should watch a game with him sometime and have him explain it. When you know what is going on you will realize that it is not as brutal as it seems, and that it is a lot of fun....Show more