Welcome back to the Koa Field Hockey blog. Congratulations to the Koa U12, U14 and U16 club field hockey teams for an awesome first weekend of indoor play. Today’s blog will discuss the the different types of passing in field hockey.
Dribbling around defenders is a dynamic field hockey skill. However, this is not an individual sport and every player needs to learn the proper passing technique. There are many types of passes, here are the three of the most common in field hockey.
Push Passes
A push pass is often the first pass a field hockey player will learn. It is used from beginning youth players through Olympic athletes. Push passes are great for short controlled distances. When making a push pass your hands should be in typical field hockey grip with the left hand at the top of the stick and the right hand mid way down the stick. Your chest should be facing the ball and your body should be perpendicular to where you want the ball to go. The ball will start in the middle of your body about a sticks length away from your feet. During the push pass the ball will start on your stick, you will take a step toward your target while pushing your stick forward and keeping the ball on your stick as long as possible. During a push pass you should not hear any hitting sound on the ball and you should finish in a position with you stick pointing straight to your target.
Drives
A drive is typically used when trying to get the ball to a teammate who is further away on the field or to making a shot attempt on goal. This hit will be taken with both hands together at the top of the stick. Again you will be perpendicular to their target and have the ball a sticks length away from your body. You will then take a back swing no higher than the middle of your chest, making contact with the ball on the down swing and following through with the stick pointing to the target. Many field hockey players have their own style when taking a drive, whatever style is most comfortable for the athlete will be encouraged.
Sweeps
A sweep hit is generally used when playing on a turf field. This move is typically used for a shot on goal and long field passes. The sweep pass begins with your body being perpendicular to your target. However, the ball will begin a little over a sticks length away from your body and off of your back foot. The closer to the middle of your body the ball is the less power you will get off of a sweep hit. You will then create a back swing with the bottom edge of your stick still in contact with the ground. As you sweep your stick forward you will need to get low enough for your entire stick to be on the ground and shift your weight to your front foot.
These are some of the most common passes used in field hockey. One of the key elements you need to remember when completing any pass is to stay low and always follow through toward your partner.
