Field Hockey: receive

Attacking efficiency measures kills minus errors divided by attempts. Top attackers maintain high efficiency by varying their shots, reading blocks, and selecting appropriate attacks for each situation. Power alone doesn't create elite attackers.

Shot Arsenal

Versatile attackers have multiple options:

Line shot: Down the sideline, often against cross-court blocking.

Cross-court: The high-percentage angle shot to the opposite corner.

Cut shot: Sharp angle shot that lands short in the court.

Tip: Soft placement over or around the block.

Roll shot: Controlled placement with topspin to open areas.

Reading the Block

Block position: See where hands are and hit where they're not.

Timing: Late blockers can be hit through or around.

Single vs double: One blocker offers more options than two.

Tool shots: Use the block - hitting off hands for kills.

Decision Making

Set quality: Tight sets limit options - adjust expectations.

Approach angle: Your angle determines available shots.

Game situation: When ahead, be aggressive. When behind, reduce errors.

Opponent tendencies: Know where defenders are and hit elsewhere.

Technical Foundation

Approach consistency: Same approach for all shots hides intention.

Arm swing variety: Adjust contact point and wrist action for different shots.

Late decision: Read the block in the air before committing to a shot.

Contact point: High contact gives more angles and power.

Key Coaching Points

  • Shot variety is as important as power
  • Reading the block determines shot selection
  • Same approach for all shots maintains deception
  • Situational awareness improves decision making
  • Practice all shots, not just the comfortable ones

Drills for Attack Development

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Can you explain the overhead receive rule to me in detail please?

Can you explain the overhead receive rule to me in detail please?

Archived User Coach

What are some Good drills when training on grass?

So my team (all 12/13 year olds) are in the unfortunate situation of having to train on grass, but will be playing all of their games on turf. I was wondering what are some good drills to be able to do in training (it's only a short training session, between 30 - 50 minutes). Any help would be great! Cheers!

Archived User Coach

Should we play differently on real grass?

Playing field hockey on real grass not turff. Any advice as to good tactics, more running with the ball rather than passing game?

Bruce Walgren Coach, Canada

new indoor 5 v 5 format?

Does any one have any ideas on structure for the new 5 v 5 indoor format?

Lisa Nay Coach, Australia

How can I get my midfielders' mentality right so they defend and attack in a game?

So I'm having trouble getting my young and inexperienced group of midfielders to flip the switch from defense to offense, and back, as we move up and down the field. They will often hang back and leave my forwards stranded rather than rush in to attack. Naturally, we are not scoring. Advice and drill ideas would be most welcome! J.G. Coach, Maryland USA

j gimpel Coach, United States of America

Does it cost me anything to be a member for this website?

Does it cost me anything to be a member for this website?

Kim Gadwood Coach, United Arab Emirates

How to coach school team with novices and experienced players?

Hi,I perhaps naively, expected to have most of our team from last year carry over and only have a few new comers to integrate and get up to speed with the rest. However meeting the team at our first practice last night i find I have five players still at school from last year and the rest all new comers, most of whom had not held a hockey stick at all till practice.This being only my second season coaching (year 9 to year 13 boys) has left me feeling a little blindsided, and feeling quite unsure how to prepare practices that target both groups of boys. Do i lump them both groups together, keep them separate? What drills/exercises to best bring the new comers up to speed.I don't want to neglect either group, keep practice worthwhile for the experienced boys, but also bringing the new comers up to a level were they can mix in with the others and learn organically from them while practicing as a team. David

David Smith Coach, New Zealand

Break through a team that is playing half court press?

How can you train to break through a team that starts half court and your team starts with the ball? Four players in the defence start maybe playing the ball first to the left wing and this player hits the ball back to the free defence player who passes the ball to the right defence player who is over the 23 meter line... I like to understand the different tactical approaches. Can you share some ideas with me?

R.P. Witkamp Coach, Netherlands

Feet forward towards goal

Hi, I am planning a session focussing on body position receiving the ball with feet forward going towards goal.I have some initial drills and gameplay ideas organised. Does anyone have any ideas for further gameplay focussing on this idea that has 6-10 players involved ( or a larger squad) and more initial technique drillsThanks

miles davies Coach, England

Is there a drill for cutting?

Is there a drill to teach cutting on a free hit? When there is a free hit; how do we get kids to learn how to create space/get open during the hit?

Michelle Coach, United States of America

Drills for 1 or 2 players

hi. i recently started playing hockey again after 7 years and looking for drills me and my brother can do to help get my technique back. like first touch and shooting dribbling etc. i am a striker

owen hankey Coach, United States of America

learn to make leads, busting speed and running of the ball

is there a drill where i can allow the team to learn about leads and running of the ball and that switching is vital for wings as well as bursting speed to receive the ball

Francois Coach, South Africa

Beginner Coach NEED HELP PLEASE

I'm new to coaching and i'm coaching a team that barely knows how to even hold a stick properly. Where can i start with improving there skills and hockey kowledge ?

Liancke Laureti Coach, South Africa

cancel my subscription

I want to cancel my subscription how do I do this

gill bennett Coach, Australia

eliminating two players

so let's say once you receive the ball and there's another defender in the back how do you deal with that

Celma Rwodzi Coach, England

receiving the ball from the right in circle

how must the right wing position her at the post if the ball is entering the circle from the right

Ronel Erasmus Coach, South Africa

Receiving the ball forward fac...

Anybody any ideas on a conditioned game to encourage receiving the ball in a forward facing position?

Mark Stuart-Thompson Coach, England

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