How to Be a Better Field Hockey Player

Last Updated: November 6, 2021 References

Looking for tips on how to improve your hockey skills? It takes training and practice, but with the right approach, you can turn yourself into a better field hockey player.

Steps

1
Bend your knees and get down low to the ground. It is easier to maneuver the ball that way and you can get more power and accuracy out of pushes, hits, and drives. With the ball in front of you, there is less risk of your stick rolling over the ball.
2
Become a faster sprinter and improve your endurance. This can go a long way to improving how well you perform.Take up strength training and work on overall fitness.^{[1]
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3
Try to push the ball as much as you can as opposed to slapping and hitting. Any type of hit where you lift your stick is an opportunity to get a penalty or to get the ball taken away from you.
4
Watch your feet! Stepping on a ball or not moving your feet fast enough is something that can be easily corrected, but if not will result in the other team getting a free hit, so just move your feet!^{[2]
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5
When blocking free hits, put your stick completely on the ground from end to end. This gives you a much larger area to stop the ball with and increases your chances of getting the ball greatly.^{[3]
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6
When within your own 25, and especially in your own circle, hit the ball to the outside! Better it go out of bounds then for them to get a direct shot on goal.
7
Use your sidelines as much as possible. Just trust me on this one, it is much easier to get up on the field this way as there are less players crowded over to the sides and it's easier to maneuver.
8
Be aggressive and work hard. Listen to your coaches and your teammates.^{[4]
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9
Try air dribbling by allowing the ball to go on your stick, then bandy with it
10
Allow your opposition to use the side line. Channel them down the side, preventing them from passing in towards the middle. Run them out over the backline. They cannot score unless they come into the circle. Watch for the back pass from the baseline towards the spot though.
11
Look around for teammates and pass to them.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

Question

Should I angle my hockey stick in order to receive the ball?

Community Answer

Yes, angle your stick a little bit towards the ground. If your stick is flat to the ball, it will likely to go high or over the stick.
Question

In practice I play really well, but in games I play like crap. How can I prevent this from happening ever again?

Community Answer

Focus on yourself and what you are doing. I tend to have the same problem. Do not think about what you could have done, instead just do it. To play well in games means to play well with your teammates, try to work on your team chemistry. Also work even harder in practices. You cannot prevent what happens in a game, you have to give it your all. Push yourself even when you're exhausted, don't give up.
Question

Should I go down the middle of the field?

Community Answer

Most people crowd the center of the field, so if you take it out to the sides, then usually a wing will pass it to the center; that way, you can get it to the middle of the field, but also get up the field and possibly get a goal.

Warnings

A backhand can be used as an aerial shot or flat on the ground to score amazing goals, or if your playing up the right side of the field a backhand can be used if you are running out of room to whack the ball up to the circle!

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