Q&A for How to Be a Better Field Hockey Player

The best way is to start playing with a recognized club that plays in the USA Field Hockey tournament system. The tournaments that are run by most of the major hockey clubs, attended by most of the major hockey clubs in the country, all have college coaches watching and attending them as well. There's also a program called Nexus (run by USA Field Hockey) that you can be entered into by your club coach or high school coach. That's another opportunity to be spotted by the college system by playing club hockey.

The important thing is to try and find your local club—in-person coaching is really valuable since field hockey is a technically complicated sport. If that's not possible in your area, there are some great resources on the internet, whether it's YouTube videos or specific training websites. Ultimately, you're going to need some experienced instruction in order to get the correct fundamental techniques that will allow you to go out and enjoy the game.

Yes, angle your stick a little bit towards the ground. If your stick is flat to the ball, it will likely to go high or over the stick.

Focus on yourself and what you are doing. I tend to have the same problem. Do not think about what you could have done, instead just do it. To play well in games means to play well with your teammates, try to work on your team chemistry. Also work even harder in practices. You cannot prevent what happens in a game, you have to give it your all. Push yourself even when you're exhausted, don't give up.

Most people crowd the center of the field, so if you take it out to the sides, then usually a wing will pass it to the center; that way, you can get it to the middle of the field, but also get up the field and possibly get a goal.

If the player takes the ball without hitting straight away, you're allowed to tackle, as long as their stick has touched the ball. However, if you think that the hitter will hit the ball straight away, try and intercept the pass as it reaches the player it's meant for instead of blocking the player from hitting.

Passing, slapping and hitting to partners for 10-15 mins at the start of each training will help get you ready. You can also do the 3 man weave to get you moving. Perform shooting exercises with and without a goalie too.

A captain's role is to bring the team together by motivating them and supporting them. It isn't a status position where the best player gets to be captain. Most captains are humble and are more impressed by their teammates play than there own!

Half is a good position, because you get to play defense, but you also get to play a little bit of offense.

It's nearly impossible to prevent the ball from going over the sideline at least a couple of times in a match. It will help if all the players are spread out. Even if your scared it'll go over the sideline, you should still pass to the wings because that's your best chance to travel up the line.

Watch YouTube videos, research the rules, ask someone you know who plays to show you a few moves. But before you do any of those things, start practicing running and dribbling (hitting the ball around). Practice a little bit every day, hands-on experience will teach you a lot. Don't be afraid to ask a coach for pointers.

Practice! Take advice and instruction from competent coaches. It's important to make sure you practice the right technique; otherwise, you'll drill poor technique into your style of play.

Start with the stick on the ground trying not to lift your stick up.

There is not a lot of time, however you can celebrate on your way back to the starting positions and the beginning pass. You must always pay attention though, the other team could start without you.

Understand that people will be faster, quicker, and overall better than you. Once you understand this, you can figure out what you have that they do not. Usually, someone has a preferred way to dribble, so try to attack from that side. Or, if you see a defender who can run but has bad movement with her feet, try to hit her foot with the ball. If you give it 110%, you will do great things.

Practicing with agility ladders is helpful. Keep the ball in front of you and make sure not to run faster than then the speed you dribble the ball. Remember, if the ball touches your foot, it is a foul and it goes to the other team, and if it touches your foot in the circle, then it is a corner.

First of all, you need your coach to agree on the idea. Second, you should swap positions with the center forward just for the start-off; after you start the play swap back to your usual positions.

There is a goalie, two full-backs (defense players), three halfs (mid-fielders), two wings (on the sides), two forwards and a center.

You need to work on your skills; lifts are a great way to get around an opponent. Things like spin moves also help you get past a strong midfielder or defender. The main idea is: keep the ball near your stick and body, move towards the sidelines, and move quickly as well as confidently.

You can do drags ( like Indian dribbles, but wide) and practice running with the ball.

You can try hitting the ball against a wall or strong surface, preferably one that the ball will bounce off so you don't have to keep getting it.

You can always hold a group meeting. Ask the coach if you could say something to the team before or after practice. You could also start a group chat if you think that would be helpful.

If the opposition have a free hit, it is best if your team makes a sort of bubble. So if the hit is taken from the left side of the pitch, then the forward and left wing form the top of the bubble. The center-mid goes in between them but a bit deeper to form a triangle. If the ball is taken from the right side of the pitch, then the right wing steps in to do the same thing as the left wing.

Don't try to run through the opponent! You can try faking to one direction though, which will usually work. Getting past opponents doesn't need to be tricky -- you can try a basic Indian dribble around your opponent, or just pass back to another teammate.

The main defensive techniques are block tackling, jabbing, and channeling. Learning about and utilizing these skills is crucial to getting better as a defensive player. Also, remember to seesaw with your other defenders to make sure someone is always back near the goal. Finally, always remember to recover! Even if you let the ball get past you, getting back quickly will give you another chance to stop the player before they have a chance to shoot on goal.

If you are hitting the ball, angle your body backwards and open up. If slapping/sweeping, angle your stick towards the sky a bit more. If you’re pushing, open out your body and flick your bottom hand.

Put your stick flat on the ground and go in for the tackle. The attacker is more likely to get past if you don't tackle with a flat stick.

Go out to a wall or rebounder and practice different ball speeds. Remember how you train is how you play and the majority of your training should be in your own time.

There is no such thing as an "easy position." They all have an important role to play in the part of the field they are relevant to and in each role, the player should aim to play as hard and as best as possible, to the fullest of their capacity in order to have a strong team. If you want something easy, this isn't the game for you.

Your stick has to be under the ball and then you just lift it not too high though just a medium amount. Practice this on grass for 20-25 minutes a day and you will be ready.