Play Field Hockey Like a Pro

Field hockey (or, in many countries, simply "hockey") is great, exciting fun played casually or competitively. Whether you're just playing with friends or you're gunning for the top spot in a serious tournament, with serious practice and exercise, you can take your game to the next level.

Steps

  1. Make sure you have a stick and a ball at home, not just at practice. You'll want to practice in the backyard as much as possible. Also, you want to participate in as many off-season activities as possible to learn new skills and improve your technique. Examples:
    • flicks
    • scoops
    • Y dodges
    • pulls
    • one touch hits
    • drives
    • chokes
    • slaps
    • strong pushes
    • dribbles
  2. Get in shape - run some laps or do other aerobic exercise even if you aren't in the field hockey season at the time. Anything to stay fit enough for the MVP.
  3. Join track and do sprints so that you can get faster and learn better running techniques for the hardcore running in field hockey.
  4. Strength train at the gym if you can to stay strong and fit; it also prevents injuries during your season and improves endurance.
  5. Watch videos of international hockey - it helps if you see tactics and game play by the professionals and then incorporate it into your game play



Tips

  • Be a team player and encourage yourself and your team.
  • Be aggressive.
  • Do some of the individual drills that your coach tells you to do in the fall, and do some of your own made up drills, that you think will help you.
  • Always keep your knees bent as much as possible.
  • No matter where you play (except goalie) just GET LOW. It helps a lot to have a stick on the ground and in front of you.
  • Replace soda with water and stay away from junk food.
  • Eat healthy, and a lot of vegetables and fruits.
  • Try out all the positions not just the ones you feel more comfortable with.
  • You don't always score a goal, your position is just as important. If it makes you feel better, roar at the opponent or make a slight face when they attack or defend. It works!
  • Do crunches for those nice abs.
  • Get in LOTS of sprinting practice so you are in shape for sprinting up and down the field
  • Talk to your team mates during the game.
  • Do leg crunches to help with your hockey position.
  • Push yourself.

Warnings

  • Always remember to stretch really well, stay hydrated and fuel yourself with food or else you may pass out
  • Never play without a mouth guard and shin guards. Goggles are optional, but are required for some leagues

Things You'll Need

  • The type of stick you have is very important to your game. Certain composite sticks have different amounts of carbon, which affect your drives and stops. Wooden sticks are better for first time players and have more control and stop better. If you want a more powerful hit, composite is a great choice. However the key getting better ball skills is a stick that feels like an extension of yourself. If the balance isn't right for you, get something else. There are two ways to make sure you have a stick that is the right length. Number one: Put the stick under your armpit, and if the end of it reaches the bottom of your kneecap, it is probably a good fit. Number 2: Hold the stick up against your side, if it is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} below your hip bone than it is probably a good fit.

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