Grip and tapping the ball close
Ready when: nothing, this is the first card.
What you are learning
Holding the hockey stick (left hand at the top, right hand lower down) and tapping the ball gently so it stays close to the stick. Close control is the base of every hockey skill.
Words on this card Stick, Flat side, Grip, Tap, Dribble, Reverse side, Receive
- Stick
- The hockey stick, with a curved hook at the bottom called the head.
- Flat side
- The head of the stick has a flat side, which is the only side allowed to play the ball, and a rounded back.
- Grip
- Left hand at the top of the stick, right hand lower down.
- Tap
- A small touch of the ball with the stick.
- Dribble
- Moving with the ball kept close to the stick with small taps.
- Reverse side
- Playing the ball on the left side by turning the stick over so the flat side faces left.
- Receive
- Controlling a ball that comes to you, with the stick flat on the ground.
Set up
A stick, a tennis ball or a larger soft ball, a clear space.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Hold the stick with the left hand at the very top and the right hand halfway down. The flat side faces the ball.
- Bend the knees and lean slightly forward, the stick head on the ground.
- Tap the ball softly from side to side, keeping it a hand's width from the stick.
- Look up now and then; when you stop, rest the stick on the ball.
Your part while they practise
Show the grip: left hand at the top, right hand lower down, knees bent, leaning slightly forward. Most beginners put the left hand low at first; check it every time.
Step by step
- Take the grip: left hand on top, right hand lower.
- Bend the knees, lean slightly forward.
- Tap the ball gently, keeping it close to the stick, anywhere in the area.
- Look up now and then.
- When you stop, rest the stick on the ball.
How much: 3 rounds of 30 seconds 5 min a session 4 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Tap count
Count the taps in 30 seconds without losing the ball.
Who plays: the child against their own best, or against you.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Stand in the clear space with the ball at the stick
- On "go", tap the ball as you move round the area
- Count each tap aloud for 30 seconds
- 3 rounds; keep the best
- Fair play
- A grown-up taps on the reverse side only.
- Points
- 1 point for each tap.
- Fouls
- The count stops for that round
- The ball touches a foot
- The left hand slides down below the right
- The ball goes more than a stick's length away
- Winning
- Beat your best round.
- 10 points for 1 star
- 20 points for 2 stars
- 30 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A bigger ball.
Faster taps, then dribble round a cone.
What you will see, and what to say
- the ball runs away from the stick
Keep it close, tiny taps
Softer touches. - the hands swap
Left hand on top
Check it before every round.
Self-check
20 taps without losing the ball.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains grip, stick control.
awiseathlete.com/sports/field-hockey/field-hockey-b1