Block tackle
Ready when: Pass and follow (i1) started.
What you are learning
The block tackle: getting low and putting the stick flat on the ground in the ball's path at the right moment, so the ball stops on your stick, then carrying it away. Timing wins the ball; lunging gives away fouls.
Words on this card Stick, Dribble, Receive, Block tackle, Shin pads
- Stick
- The hockey stick, with a curved hook at the bottom called the head.
- Dribble
- Moving with the ball kept close to the stick with small taps.
- Receive
- Controlling a ball that comes to you, with the stick flat on the ground.
- Block tackle
- Taking the ball from an opponent by putting the stick flat on the ground in its path.
- Shin pads
- Hard pads worn under the socks to protect the shins.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand facing the attacker, knees bent, body low.
- As the ball comes, lay the stick flat on the ground across its path, left hand on top.
- Let the ball run into the stick and stop.
- Carry the ball away to the opposite cone.
Your part while they practise
Be the attacker, dribbling forward slowly.
Step by step
- Walk through the tackle first.
- Low body position.
- The stick on the ground meeting the ball.
- Carry the ball to the opposite cone.
- Then at jogging pace.
How much: 6 each 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Clean tackle
A point for each tackle that wins the ball with no foul.
Who plays: the child against you; swap roles.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- You dribble from one cone toward the child, 10 m away
- The child tackles and carries the ball to your starting cone
- 6 attacks, then swap
- Fair play
- A grown-up attacker dribbles at walking pace.
- Points
- The tackler scores 1 point for each ball won and carried to the cone; the attacker scores 1 point for each time they get past.
- Fouls
- A point to the attacker
- The stick lifted off the ground
- Hitting the attacker's stick or legs
- Diving in and falling over
- Winning
- More points after 6 attacks each.
- 2 points for 1 star
- 3 points for 2 stars
- 5 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A slow attacker.
The attacker speeds up.
What you will see, and what to say
- the stick lifts
Keep the stick low
Flat on the ground. - the player lunges
Stay on your feet, time it
Wait for the ball to come.
Self-check
4 of 6 tackles win the ball without a foul.
Stop and get a coach when
The stick catches an ankle.
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 tackling, balance.
awiseathlete.com/sports/field-hockey/field-hockey-i2