How come hockey has become a high scoring game all of a sudden? Mostly the score use to be 2-1, 3-2, 3-1, even the draws use to be 1-1 or 2-2 maximum but now almost all matches are high scoring like 4-3, 5-4 even 7-3. Does it have to do with the new rules or is it because every team likes to attack more than they defend? What is your opinion regarding this?
A combination of both. Also the removal of the offside rule has encouraged a more attacking and open game. Read the follwoing on one site:
"The lack of offensive opportunities can lead to methodical, defensive games as teams search for weaknesses in their opponents. In an effort to add excitement and offence, the offside rule was removed in 1998. An attacking player no longer needs to keep the ball or defender ahead of him or her when moving into a scoring position.
The elimination of the offside means more wide-open play and may enhance field hockey’s appeal to new spectators"
Mostly its due to two things, Introduction of No-offside Rule as Ehsan pointed out and secondly unifromity regarding Austro turf as it encourages faster play.
I hate the no off-side rule. I am sure they will overturn it soon!