What are the 4 skills needed to play field hockey?
The sport involves four basic skills: skating, stickhandling, passing and shooting.
A field hockey stick is what is needed to play the game and the most vital piece of equipment. There are various brands, shapes, and sizes of field hockey sticks. The top of the stick (white part) is usually taped with grip tape.
Competitive sticks typically contain less than 20% carbon which creates less vibration compared to sticks with higher carbon but still provide adequate power for the developing player.
- Helmet. When it comes to preventing serious injuries, this is the most important piece of equipment. ...
- Skates. As with helmets, be sure to get skates that fit well. ...
- Shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee and shin pads. ...
- Hockey pants. ...
- Gloves. ...
- Athletic supporter and cup. ...
- Neck protector. ...
- Mouthguard.
WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BUY FOR MY CHILD FOR FIELD HOCKEY? Your child will need a field hockey stick (as a general rule, the length of the stick should measure up to your child's hip), shin guards, an extra mouth guard, field hockey goggles and cleats.
Goalie: Goalkeepers are arguably the most important position on the turf since they are the last line of defense before the opposing team can score. They must have quick reflexes and the ability to block hard shots with their bodies and stick.
- The ball cannot hit your feet.
- You cannot raise your stick above your waste during regular play. ...
- You cannot tackle (go for the ball) from behind. ...
- No third party. ...
- Obstruction – when your back is turned to another player and you are between the ball and that player.
Attack Skills
Deception and speed of shot. Constant movement off ball, creativeness, making things happen, use of width and depth. 1v1 attack skills - drawing defense, deceiving, spinning, speed change, control. Shooting - aggressiveness and urgency towards goal, ability to shoot off both legs.
Shoes: Field hockey can be played on either natural grass, turf or on an indoor surface. It is best to choose your shoes based on which surface you will be playing most on. For both grass and turf, a cleated shoe (non-metal) is advisable.
Your skates should cost you the most, then probably your helmet and gloves. Do I need to buy everything at once? Absolutely not. All you really need to start playing are skates and a stick (and outdoor ice) If you want to play some pick-up hockey you will probably need skates, gloves, a stick and a helmet.
What makes a good field hockey player?
These include a good aerobic base, speed, agility and strength. Athletes across the field need to have these attributes.” As any follower of the game will know, high levels of speed and stamina are two attributes that modern hockey players have in abundance.
Carbon content can run as high as 95% of a stick's make-up, although even a 50% carbon stick is still going to give you elite-level power. Carbon-heavy sticks are inherently less-forgiving than other materials, and require greater skill to maneuver and wield.

Carbon: Carbon adds stiffness and power to a field hockey stick. Put simply, the higher the carbon percentage translated to the greater the power output. Fiberglass: Fiberglass is used as a reinforcing material to add durability and strength.
INDOOR STICKS
A major difference between a field hockey stick and an indoor stick is the weight – both are common in length, but an indoor stick is much thinner through the shaft and even the handle, and therefore is a lot lighter.
This usually includes a helmet, shoulder pads/chest protector, elbow pads, mouth guard, protective gloves, heavily padded shorts, a 'jock' athletic protector, shin pads and a neck guard. Goaltenders wear masks and much bulkier, specialized equipment designed to protect them from many direct hits from the puck.
Choose a sock that is form fitting and one that is made with a breathable and moisture-wicking material. In field hockey generally short socks are worn in the shoes and long socks are then worn over your shin guards.
Violations include wearing pads without sufficient soft protective covering, using stick blades exceeding three inches in width at any point, or a goalie using additional equipment to improve protection of the goal. The penalty is also called if a player violates the “fair play” expectations of equipment.
While it is more common to start playing this sport in the pre-teen to early teen ages, it could be beneficial to start learning much earlier than that. The Field Hockey Forum has a thread on how old players were when they started. While there were many older responses, you will see many people in the 4-7 range.
It's a question every serious hockey player will ask as he or she approaches Bantam and beyond. Scouts rate players in five main categories: skating, size, game sense, character and skill.
The game shall be played by two teams, each consisting of not more than 7 players on the field at one time. A game shall not be started with fewer than 5 players. Article 2. Field hockey is a women's league sport.
What is the easiest field hockey position?
The easiest hockey position is a winger. It requires the fewest additional skills, unlike other positions. You should play left wing if you're left-handed and right wing if you're right-handed.
In short, a midfielder has to be able to do everything the other position players must do, all the while repeatedly running up and down the pitch. For this reason, the midfielder is considered the most challenging position.
The most intense support and popularity extends from Massachusetts down the Eastern seaboard to Virginia and pretty much stops there. The best programs tend to be in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, though states like Maryland and Delaware are slowing growing field hockey prowess.
1. Always back your partner — on the offensive blue line, in the neutral zone and especially in the defensive zone. 2. Always one defenseman in front of the net when the opposition has the puck in your zone or there is danger that they may gain possession.
Rule 56 of the NHL Rule Book states: If a player penalized as an instigator of an altercation is wearing a face shield, he shall be assessed an additional Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.
Hockey players may not trip, push, charge, interfere with, or physically handle an opponent in any way. Hockey is a non-contact sport and all fouls result in a free hit or a 'penalty corner' for the non-offending team depending on where the infringement took place and the severity of the foul.
Stand with your hockey stick in hand (around chest-height)outstreched over where they move, the player will stay low not to hit your stick. I find this helps with quick distribution as well since the player does not come up from the trap.
- 1) Improve Leg Power. Hockey involves a lot of leg strength and endurance, and you can work on your legs without actually playing the sport or even taking out your equipment. ...
- 2) Treat Yourself to a Match. ...
- 3) Find a Group. ...
- 4) Push More. ...
- 5) Play Regularly.
- Barbell back squat.
- Romanian deadlift.
- Cable lat pulldown to front with wide grip.
- Pull-ups—3x6 repetitions—adjust to suitability, weighted if necessary.
- Barbell or dumbbell hang clean.
- Barbell or dumbbell push press.
- Incline machine rows.
Gloves: Gloves are not mandatory but are permitted in field hockey. Some professional players will choose to wear gloves to protect their hands and wrists from injuries including blisters, contusions, and fractures. Gloves can also dull the painful vibration of the stick on a powerful shot.
Do you need a different stick for indoor field hockey?
Indoor field hockey sticks are much thinner and lighter than outdoor field hockey sticks. Since the game is played on a smaller, flat and hard surface, there are rules that do not allow players to drive the ball or have a backswing. Thus, there is no need for such a sturdy stick.
Coaches will look at your ability to handle hard passes, lifts, hits, slaps, dribble, and how well you pass. Focus on having strong fundamentals and always give it your all. Make sure you are dressed to play.
Muscles used in Hockey
The most important muscles during a game are the core muscles. Core muscles include the rectus abdominus and transverse abdominus, which are the abdominal muscles, and both internal and external oblique muscles. The strength and flexibility of the lower body is also very important.
While skating is the most important skill it is important to practice skating fast with the puck and shooting quickly. In the development pursuit of becoming a complete hockey player work to become as best as possible at the skills below: Striding Technique become as efficient as possible by lengthening the stride.
In ice hockey, the jersey is traditionally called a sweater, terminology originating from the sport's earlier days when the game was predominantly played outside during winter and where the sweaters worn by players was a warm wool-knit covering.
Student-athletes must be encouraging on and off the field and trust their teammates. Versatility: Multi-dimensional athletes that can play multiple positions at the college level are more valuable to a college program. Field Hockey IQ: Student-athletes need to have good vision and the ability to make quick decisions.
Physical toughness
Players cover greater distances over a shorter period of time compared to most other team sports. Hockey players are required to be fit, fast, strong, powerful, agile and perform many sprints throughout the game, often with little time to recover between each.
Physical characteristics of elite players show that defensemen are taller and heavier than forwards probably due to positional demands. Hockey players are mesomorphic in structure. They are relatively lean since excess mass is detrimental to their skating performance.
Pro bow hockey sticks possess a larger playing area which makes them ideal for dribbling, control and power. The balanced performance offered by pro bows makes them ideal for players looking to perform flat shots and passes, in addition to aerial shots.
Hockey Sticks Weight
The weight you choose can affect your game. A lighter stick is easier to manoeuvre and better for dribbling, while a heavier stick can provide more power and control.
Why do field hockey players tape their sticks?
First, players may tape their stick to protect it from wear, tear, and damage. Secondly, players tape their sticks to change how the stick feels and how the player handles it. Lastly, taping a hockey stick can change the control and interaction between the stick and the puck.
Adding some hockey tape to your stick helps add a bit of grip to the puck so you have more control on where you're shooting and not slipping up when you're trying to do a cross ice pass to a teammate.
CARBON CONTENT Increased carbon translates into greater stiffness in the stick. High carbon content contributes to high power in hits, but can also make receiving more challenging. Players need to find the right balance of power and feel to suit their game.
Hold your field hockey stick upside down, with the head in the air, and insert the head into your armpit, as if it were a crutch. The end of the handle should fall between the middle of your kneecap to no more than two inches below the bottom of your kneecap.
To determine what flex your hockey stick should be, the general rule is to choose the flex number that's half your weight. So, if you're 150 pounds, you'll start with a 75 flex. Round down the flex number if you're between sizes.
Since the indoor game is played on a field that's roughly half the size of the outdoor field, it requires a stick that facilitates a faster level of play.
When playing indoor field hockey at a competitive level it is important to wear a left handed glove. The glove will protect your knuckles and your fingers, and prevent broken bones. Specifically when going for a tackle your hand becomes exposed, and is at risk.
A player can intentionally raise the ball on a hit ONLY if it is a shot at goal (inside the circle and towards the goal cage). Remember, there is no such thing as a high ball* call in field hockey, only a dangerous ball call.
Players must not tackle or attempt to tackle unless in a position to play the ball 'cleanly' without any body contact.
The rule in question, found in the federation's Field Hockey Rules Book, had been in effect since 2011 and stated that “players shall wear eye protection that met the ASTM standard for field hockey at the time of manufacture.” It now reads, “Goggles may be worn by all field hockey players.”
Why are indoor hockey pitches wet?
Watered pitches are safe surfaces, as the water layer absorbs impact better than a sand-filled pitch does. A watered pitch also gives players the ability to control their slides.
Indoor hockey is an indoor variant of field hockey. It is similar to the outdoor game in that two teams compete to move a hard ball into the goal of the opposing side using hockey sticks.
This higher sole will make the indoor field hockey player more prone to ankle sprains. Although shin guards are not mandatory, most players will wear them, so this needs to be taken into consideration when purchasing shoes.
If you're not sure what to wear to a hockey game indoors, it's always smart to wear layers. Whatever the sport, you can immediately identify the fan who knows the ropes—and veteran fans will have it down to a science. Start with a T-shirt, followed by a loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirt.
This is because the ball is only played over the ground and we play low to the ground with a horizontal stick. The half finger glove covers your knuckles and half of your fingers. Because of this the ball feeling is optimized and your hands are protected as well. The half finger gloves are more used in field hockey.
Right-handed gloves are often worn to give peace of mind if player's often defend on their reverse stick effectively. You can wear either, or both. It is a personal preference but we would advice all players to at least wear a left hand glove.