Field Hockey: Style of Play and Skills

Here’s a brief overview of field hockey style of play and key skills:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Style of Play

  • Field hockey is a fast, skillful game played on grass or artificial turf.
  • It emphasizes precise stick work, quick passing, and strategic positioning.
  • Players rely on teamwork to control the ball, create scoring opportunities, and maintain possession.
  • Unlike ice hockey, physical contact is limited, focusing more on skill and speed rather than body checking.
  • The game flows continuously, with players covering a lot of ground through running and quick transitions between offense and defense.

Key Skills

  • Dribbling: Smooth control of the ball with short taps to maneuver past opponents.
  • Passing: Accurate and varied passes (push, hit, slap) to move the ball efficiently.
  • Receiving: Stopping or controlling the ball cleanly to maintain possession.
  • Shooting: Powerful and precise shots including hits, flicks, and pushes to score goals.
  • Tackling: Using the stick to legally dispossess opponents without fouling.
  • Positioning: Maintaining proper field positioning for defense and attack.
  • Fitness: High endurance and agility due to continuous play and large field size.
  • Penalty Corners: Specialized set plays requiring precise coordination and technique.
Back to blog