Ellen began playing field hockey at the age of seven and in 2002, aged 16 she was selected to play her first senior game for Stichtse Cricket en Hockey Club in Bilthoven and made her debut for the Netherlands women's national field hockey team at age 17 in 2004[4] and has played in 232 matches, scoring 60 goals.

In December of the same year she won the Champions Trophy in Canberra with the Dutch national women's team.

In 2012, Hoog became the first player to decide a major championship match with a penalty shootout, taking the winning shot in the 2012 Summer Olympics semi-final against New Zealand.

[5] Her offensive speed and ability to change directions so quickly, made her one of the most dangerous midfielders in the world.

Ellen Hoog married her long-term boyfriend in June 2017, after ending her career as a professional.