Field hockey resembles soccer in that there is a large outdoor field and the object is put get the ball past a goaltender to score. What makes field hockey a little more difficult to play is that players use short wooden sticks with tiny blades to move a small rubber ball. Coordination is key in field hockey, though physical endurance is important as well. Players should work on individual skills often to become good players.
Dribbling
Offensive players with the ball need to dribble to advance upfield, but this combination of running fast and maintaining control of the ball is not easy. According to the Field Hockey Zone website, dribbling causes the offensive player to move very slowly because offensive players can use only one side of the stick when dribbling. Also, the dribbler has to keep his head down when dribbling, which limits his vision of open teammates. The website recommends passing without making eye contact, so you will need to know where teammates should be according to your team's offensive scheme and game plan.
Tackling
Tackling is not to be taken literally, as it is better described as defending to take the ball away. According to the Planet Field Hockey website, tackling doesn't necessarily mean taking the ball away, but can just mean making the offensive player make a mistake. Make sure to cut off space between you and the offensive player, and make her hurry. Instead of jabbing or poking at the ball, the website recommends stealing the ball and knocking it toward yourself. Deflecting the ball with a jab or poke can have it go to another offensive player, whereas stealing the ball guarantees a turnover.
Shooting
Shooting for the goal requires quickness more than any other aspect of the hit. According to "Field Hockey Techniques and Tactics" by Claire Mitchell-Taverner, taking a large backswing to wind up for power will give defenders enough time to get in the way of your shot or make a tackle on you. Placement is important as well because the goaltender takes up a large portion of the goal. Powering the ball through the goalkeeper is unlikely to happen, so you must be accurate. Also, stay balanced and line up your feet with the target you are shooting at.
Goaltending
Goaltending is about quickness, instinct and reflexes, according to Planet Field Hockey. Getting in the way of shots is the simplest form of goaltending, but specific athletic aspects are most important. First, stretching is imperative because goaltenders bend and twist. Diving to the left or the right is a very common movement. Clearing the ball from the goal area is a way to avoid giving up cheap goals and kicking is the quickest way for a goaltender to clear the ball. Also, the goaltender does carry a stick, so goaltenders must know how to clear the ball or block shots using the stick.
Member Comments