The purpose of this study was to determine the relative levels of engagement novice field-hockey players had with the intent of the game's fundamental performance variables while playing on natural and artificial grass surfaces. Twenty novice male and female players (mean age 10.28 ± 0.62 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. A cross-over study design was adopted to ensure players received sessions on natural and artificial grass surfaces. Sessions were delivered over a two-week period. Data was gathered from recorded games in weeks one and two using a video drone 25 m vertically above the hockey pitches. A computer notebook with video analysis software was used for lapsed-time analysis. A specific coding template was developed to determine the frequency of fundamental game skills of ball carrying (<5 m and >5 m); hitting (ball travels <5 m and >5 m); pushing (ball travels <5 m and >5 m), and ball contact during the games. The fundamental game skills of ball carrying, hitting, and pushing the ball >5 m, and ball manipulation, revealed significant ( p < 0.01) differences in favour of player performances when playing on artificial grass. In contrast, there was a significant ( p < 0.01) percent of short distance (<5 m) hitting and pushing the ball, and greater ball contact on natural compared to artificial grass. The artificial grass contexts allowed the players in this study to better perform the fundamental game skills within the intent of the game of field hockey that was measured in this study.