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Field hockey · Basic · b3

Push pass and receive

Park or court 8 min 2 players Yard or lane, park

Ready when: Grip and tapping the ball close (b1) done.

Start a session

What you are learning

The push pass, pushing the ball along the ground to a partner without a backswing, and receiving it with the stick flat on the ground and a relaxed grip. Passing is how a team moves the ball faster than anyone can run.

Words on this card Stick, Flat side, Grip, Push pass, Slap, Backswing, Receive, Side on
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.
Push pass
A pass made by pushing the ball along the ground with the stick, without swinging it back.
Slap
A pass or shot with a swing of the stick.
Backswing
The stick going back before a hit, and carrying on toward the target after it.
Receive
Controlling a ball that comes to you, with the stick flat on the ground.
Side on
Standing with the shoulder, not the chest, toward the target.

Set up

A stick and ball each, 5 to 8 m apart; a wall or fence behind the receiver.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for field hockey

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Stand side on to your partner, knees bent, ball near the front foot.
  2. Push the ball along the ground with the flat side; follow through so the stick points at your partner.
  3. To receive, move the feet into line with the ball, lay the stick flat on the ground and let the ball arrive with a relaxed grip.

Your part while they practise

Be the partner; hold your stick flat on the ground to receive.

Step by step

  1. Pass against a wall first.
  2. Side on to the partner, knees bent.
  3. Push the ball along the ground with the flat side and follow through, the stick pointing at the partner.
  4. Receive: feet in line, relaxed grip, stick flat on the ground.

How much: 10 passes each, 3 rounds 8 min a session 3 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Pass count

Count the passes the pair makes in one minute.

Who plays: the child and you together, against your best as a pair.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. Stand 5 m apart
  2. On "go", pass back and forth for 1 minute
  3. Count every pass that is stopped cleanly
  4. 3 rounds; keep the best
Fair play
A grown-up passes from 8 m while the child passes from 5 m.
Points
1 point for each pass stopped cleanly on the stick.
Fouls
No point for that pass
  • The ball bounces up
  • The ball is stopped with a foot
  • The rounded back of the stick is used
Winning
Beat your best round as a pair.
Stars
  1. 10 points for 1 star
  2. 18 points for 2 stars
  3. 25 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Closer, a bigger ball.

Harder

Further apart, pass on the move.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the ball bounces Keep it on the ground, push throughNo swing, just push.
  • the pass goes wide Point the stick at your partnerFinish pointing at them.
  • the stop bounces off Soft hands, stick flatLet the ball come in.

Self-check

7of 10

7 of 10 passes reach the partner without bouncing.

Stop and get a coach when

The ball hits the legs hard; use a softer 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 passing, receiving.

awiseathlete.com/sports/field-hockey/field-hockey-b3