Core Hockey Skills

To be an effective hockey player you need to have full command of a suite of technical skills. This section seeks to provide some basic information on some of these. The list of core skills covered is not exhaustive. This profile merely scratches the surface. But players of all abilities should understand how to perform certain skills. This is therefore the start of that learning process.  

These notes need to be read and then discussed with the club coaches, especially if you are not clear on the instructions.  

In general the comments will refer to and follow the order of: This approach is used when considering whether a player is performing the skill Body, Stick and Ball. correctly.  

But first, grip and rip it!  

Hold on indeed. Players need to have the capacity to change the rip on the stick to enable them to perform a series of techniques. In hockey one grip does not fit all. In essence the grip a player adopts should make the technique easier to execute. However we do have some obvious standards we can use, which will help and these are the following five grips –

1. basic grip – hands apart with left hand at the top of the stick. Both “V”s formed by the thumb and the index finger are in line with the toe edge of the stick. To rotate the stick the left hand moves to the right and the stick turns through the right hand.
2. double “V” grip – both hands together at the top of the stick. Both “V”s formed by the thumb and the index finger are in line with the toe edge of the stick, but the right hand may be moved a little to the right.
3. one handed grip – Right hand – the “V” formed by the thumb and the index finger is in line with the toe edge of the stick. Left hand – The “V” formed between the thumb and index finger is in line with the back edge of the stick for dribbling one handed. For other skills the “V” is in line with the toe edge.
4. frying pan grip – Both hands together at the top of the stick. The “V”s formed by the thumb and index fingers of both hands are in line with the flat side of the stick.
5. short handle grip – as with basic grip but left hand slides down grip to meet with right hand.  

This section currently incorporates four areas –

1. Propelling the ball
2. On the move
3. Defending skills
4. Principles of defending

 

1. Propelling the ball

The art of fast hockey is largely influenced by a player and teams ability to propel the hockey ball. Player movement merely supports this function, in other words players move into a position to enable this to happen.

 

This section therefore covers core skills that enable the player to propel the ball quickly. These include –

 

The push

The hit

The long handled slap

The flick (aerial ball)

 

The list is not complete. Variations exist and these will be picked up at training – so be there!!!!

 

2. On the Move

 

Ok, so you have got the ball. What next? It is essential that when you have the ball the team and the player retain it. Only give it up if it is to your advantage to do so, for example a shot, gaining a penalty (corner or stroke) or passing to a team mate.

 

It is essential that players can move with the ball on both open and reverse stick sides. Such ability will help the player best exploit the space they have rather than being confined. 

 

3. Defending skills

 

If the opposition has the ball your team will struggle to achieve anything. I know it is basics, but if you have not got the ball you are not going to score. It is therefore in an invasion sport like hockey essential that you prevent your opponents from scoring goals. As players anywhere on the pitch you need to be able to slow and take the ball off your opponent – fair means only!!!! Two forms of tackle are outlined in this section these being the jab and the open side block. These are often used together – practice makes perfect.

 

4. Principles of defending

 

As an individual you need to be able to take the ball off your opponent. But hockey is a team game and as such you can use each other to gain advantage and take the ball back. You can also operate in a simple manner which prevents the opposition from gaining the ball through interception and marking. This section focuses on channelling, interception and marking.

 

Think about your own technique, how you relate to these core skills, can you do them all competently and if not then how could you improve.