The basic skills you use are described on this page, followed by a glossary of set pieces and some info on team play.
Skills
Ball ControlA good hockey player needs good ball control. Your coach will show you how to grip the stick effectively so that as you run and change direction, you maintain that control. Your grip will change, as you perform different skills. At the same time, you need to keep your eye on the ball, on your team mates to check where they are if you need to pass and on the opposition to avoid tackles or losing the ball.
Footwork
Good balance is vital. During the game, you need to be able to change direction quickly while keeping control of the ball.
Moving with the Ball
When practising your skills, you will learn how to run with the ball. You use the flat head of the stick to hit or tap the ball as you move. During the game you will need to pass to other players and your coach will show you how to control the ball closely, while passing or cutting out a defender.
Passing the Ball
You can pass the ball by 'pushing' it, 'hitting' it, 'flicking' it or 'scooping' it. There are variations in each of these methods depending on whether you push it to the left, right or forwards.
Push
A push is usually a pass over a short distance while you are moving with the ball. A push pass can be played as an open stick pass (from the strong side of the body) or a reverse stick push (with the stick in the reverse position, across the body to the weak side).
Hit
You use this for passes over a longer distance, for shooting at goal, or for free hits and hit-ins. Your grip changes for hits and your hands come closer together on the stick. Hits are made on moving or stationary balls.
Flick
A flick is a similar action to a push, except a flick lifts the ball in the air. The stick is kept in contact with the ball as long as possible.
More able players can perform aerial flicks. Here the ball can move greater distances in the air -top class players can move the ball 40 - 50 metres!
Scoop
A scoop achieves the same result as a flick but you need to adjust your body position much more than for a flick. When you prepare to scoop the ball up from the ground, the movement of your body gives your opponent advance warning of what you are doing so they are more prepared to counteract your move.
Receiving the Ball
You should always be ready to receive the ball from the front, left or right. Your job is control the ball straight away and be ready to move with the ball, hit it or pass it.
Tackling
You tackle an opponent to get the ball from them. When tackling you must avoid contact with the opponent's stick before playing the ball. There may be a clash of sticks but the umpire will watch to see that the tackle is fair. A good tackler needs patience (selecting the right moment), timing (moving in for the ball when the attacker takes his stick away), strength, and good footwork.
Goalkeeping
As a goalkeeper you need good judgement, good positioning and fast reactions. Hockey is a fast moving game, so goalkeepers need to concentrate on the state of play all the time and have the confidence to make the necessary saves. You can save with your stick, your feet or your hands.
Set Pieces
Set pieces occur in a game when the ball goes out of play or when there is an infringement of the rules.
Penalty Corners
Five defenders have to be behind the back-line and six beyond the centre line. One attacker takes the penalty corner from a set position on the back-line between the edge of the shooting circle and the goal post. The others attackers can be anywhere in the field of play but usually five stand around the edge of the shooting circle waiting for the corner to be taken. The player taking the corner hits the ball to the attackers on the edge of the circle, who try to score. The defenders move forward to try to clear the ball.
Penalty Strokes
One attacker is allowed a shot on goal from the penalty spot in the shooting circle. The ball can be pushed, flicked or scooped into the net. The Goalkeeper can try to save the shot.
Corners
Corners are taken from the back-line between the edge of the shooting circle and the corner flag.
Free Hits
Free Hits are awarded anywhere on the field for an infringement of the rules.
Sixteen Yard Hits and Hit or Push Ins
These are methods of restarting the game when the ball has gone out of play.
The Push Back
The method used to restart the game for the second half or after a goal has been score. The ball is passed from the centre of the half-way line.
The Bully
A bully is used to restart play when the game has been stopped for an injury, or when the ball has been caught in the goalkeeper's clothing or if both teams have broken the rules. When taking a bully, two players face each other, tap the ground and cross and tap slightly raised sticks above the ball three times, before attempting to get the ball.
Team Play
In order to make play effective, teams plan and practise playing in formations before the game. They work on attacking and defensive moves. A good captain will instruct his or her players on the field to take up certain positions that they have practised as different situations arise during play.
Formations
A traditional formation was 1-2-3-5 with five attacking forwards, but rule changes since the 1960s have encouraged other formations. A popular modern formation is 1-1-3-4-2. This gives width in midfield and the wingers move forward to help the strikers. Some international teams use a 1-1-3-3-3 formation so that triangular patterns are formed down the field, with players in each triangle supporting each other.
Every coach and captain will have their own ideas about team play and will design a formation that uses the strengths of their players.
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