SKILL AND ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
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ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING GRIP, DRIBBLING, PASSING, SHOOTING, TRAPPING, DODGING AND TACKLING:

MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE BALL: Each player has a field hockey stick. The players spread out in personal space 15’-20’ apart. All players are shown how to grip their stick and instructed in the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting, trapping, tackling and dodging. They are instructed to move through space and commanded to perform the above skills as they would in a game. The stick must stay below the knees at all times. There is no contact allowed between players or sticks. The players are encouraged to move safely, concentrating on changing speed and direction as they would in a game.

TAP TAPS: Each player has a stick and a ball. The players spread out in personal space 15’-20’ apart. Player A places the ball on the flat side of the stick, waist high, in the forehand position. A then tries to tap the ball 1’-2’ in the air as many consecutive times as possible while remaining in personal space. A may choose to count the number of consecutive hits, always trying for the best score.

SIDE TO SIDES: Each player has a field hockey stick and ball. All players spread out in personal space 10’-15’ apart. Player A begins with the forehand grip and the ball on the ground. A pushes the ball on the ground 6"-12" from right to left using a short forehand push pass. A then switches to the backhand grip to receive the ball. A then pushes the ball back to its original position using a short backhand push pass. A repeats the activity in the same manner.

PARTNER PASS AND TRAP: Partners A and B face each other 6’-10’ apart. A push passes the ball to B. B traps the ball and returns the ball to A in the same manner. When both players have mastered the push pass and trap they move 15’-20’ apart. A and B repeat the activity using the drive pass. All players must keep the ball on the ground and the blade of the stick below the knees at all times.

FIELD HOCKEY CHALLENGE: Each player has a field hockey stick and ball. The players line up on the field hockey field sideline 6’-8’ apart. The goal of the activity is for each player to move the ball safely from sideline to sideline as many times as possible using the appropriate skills. Player A earns 1 point every time the ball is placed on the opposite sideline. On command, Player A begins to move the ball toward the opposite sideline. A may choose to use whatever skill is most appropriate. A may choose to drive the ball to cover long distances. A may then choose to push and dribble the ball to place it on the opposite sideline. When A brings the ball to rest on the opposite sideline A earns 1 point. A then returns to the original sideline in the same manner. A may move in the same manner from sideline to sideline for the time allotted. All players must adhere to the following rules: 1) Players must watch where they are going and move in a safe manner at all times. 2) Players cannot contact or interfere with any other player or ball.

3. Contact can be made with the flat side of the stick only.
4. The blade of the stick must be kept below the knees at all times.
5. The ball must stay on the ground at all times.

ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING ALL OF THE SKILLS LISTED ABOVE:

CIRCLE HIT OUT: Each player has a field hockey stick and ball. The players position themselves 5’-10’ apart inside a circle about the size of a soccer center circle. This

activity is similar to keep away. The object of the game is for players to control their ball and move through space, keeping their ball in the circle. At the same time players try to pass other players’ balls out of the circle. Players must move safely through space avoiding all contact with other players. Any player can push pass any other player’s ball out of the circle. The ball must be passed safely on the ground. If Player A push passes Player B’s ball out of the circle, Player B must leave the circle to retrieve his/her ball. B must do 10 Side to Sides (see the above listed Side to Side activity). B may then return to the game. Play continues in the same manner.

GIVE AND GO: Six goals are positioned on the perimeter of a field hockey field. Each player pairs up. Each player has a field hockey stick. Each pair of players has a ball. Sets of partners are divided into 6 equal groups. Each group starts out going to a different goal. All players move in a clockwise direction from goal to goal. The object of the activity is for Partners A and B to work together to score as many goals as possible. A and B begin "give and go" passing as they move toward their first goal. A passes the ball in front of B as B moves toward the goal. B traps, dribbles, prepares, and passes the ball in the same manner to A who is moving toward the goal. The activity continues in the same manner until B receives the ball 10’-15’ from the goal. B traps, prepares and shoots the ball at the goal. If B scores, A and B both earn a point. A and B then move in the same manner to the next goal. When A receives the ball 10’-15’ from the goal he/she traps, prepares and shoots at the goal. The activity continues in the same manner. A and B may choose to keep track of the number of points they score together. The players must move in a safe manner at all times, avoiding all contact with other players or balls. The players must keep their ball on the ground and the blade of their stick below the knees at all times.

MODIFIED MINI GAMES: Mini games can be played with 2-7 players on each team. They are essentially like regular field hockey. They may be played with all or some of the following modifications.

1. Games may be played without a goalie. A smaller goal may be used.
2. Rubber safety sticks may be used in place of regular field hockey sticks.
3. A larger, softer and faster moving ball may be used. Some good balls include a light weight volleyball, plastic coated nerf ball, regular softball or an inflatable softball size plastic ball.

ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING SHOOTING AND GOALIE SKILLS:

GOALIE WARM UP: Goalie G1 must put on all of the goalie equipment. G1 chooses

two players (P1 and P2) to help him/her warm up. G1 moves into the goal. P1 and P2

take turns retrieving balls and taking shots on G1. G1 directs P1 and P2 on the types of shots needed to be taken in order to give G1 a complete warm-up for the game. G1 has the opportunity to practice positioning, blocking, receiving and clearing pucks under game like conditions. P1 and P2 must be careful to direct all of their shots safely at G1, avoiding contact with other players. All safety rules for field hockey apply. The activity continues in the same manner for the time allotted.

GOALIE HOCKEY: Each goalie is assigned a goal. Goals are arranged around the perimeter of a small playing area (10’-15’ square). The object of the game is for each goalie to defend his/her goal and try to score on any other goal. Each goalie has the opportunity to practice positioning, blocking, receiving and clearing pucks under game like conditions. Goalies also can enjoy trying to score on other goalies as they are clearing pucks that have been shot at them. The activity continues in the same manner for the time allotted.