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This section concerns some of the various techniques involved with the handling of the ball.
The picture illustrates the handicap of dribbling. The ball handler cannot see the two wide open players to her right and cannot stop to look. While dribbling should be kept to a minimum, passing without looking is imperative. This can be done through disciplined teamwork. Players must develop an intimate knowledge of the field and where their teammates will be at all times.
Sprinting to the open areas of the field is fast. Forwards must be constantly on the move especially when their defenders gain control of the ball and the attack is initiated. The fastest speed on the field is the passing speed. Nothing is faster than a well driven ball into a designated zone. The ball will get down the field faster through four or five well executed passes than by a player attempting to dribble. The pass is the foundation of the zone offense. Without disciplined efforts to practice and perfect driving and passing techniques the zone will not work. It also requires a total team effort especially in the art of communication. Each player must sacrifice their own personal ambitions for the team. The success of any team in any sport relies upon this principle. During the course of a game at the point of an infraction the teams operate at idling speed. There is very little movement while each team gathers for the impending free hit. This condition cannot exist in the zone system. At the time of the infraction the team should be moving at the fast speed into positions to receive the free hit which is taken immediately when the referree awards possession. The open zone is called out, the ball is driven, and the attack is on before your opponent has had time to react and regroup.
The Drive is a frequently occuring event during a field hockey game and is described in the Offense Page . All too often, and I have witnessed this many times, the player designated to make the drive addresses the ball incorrectly. The ball is topped or lifted in the attempt to get distance and the result is a changeover in favor of the other team. In order to understand what addressing the ball is all about we must consider the links; the golf course links. Every golfer knows that his drive depends upon several critical factors, they are:
Every golfer has a different swing but all swing the club under the same rules. The field hockey player can use those same rules listed above to generate consistent, accurate drives with more distance. The girls who are driving the ball far are using some of these principles and may not know it.
The driver must keep their eye on the ball, with their head still. Raising or lowering their head will cause the arc of the swing to be higher or lower than it should be upon contact. You've all seen drives get "topped". This is because the driver peeked to see where the ball was going before she made contact. Drive through the ball, follow through, then look.
The grip is important since a consistent grip will allow the player to make contact with the ball the same way every time. The grip must be such that the flat part of the stick is in contact with the ball when the flat surface is perpendicular to the intended line of flight. The stick face must be ninety degrees when it makes contact.
Contrary to popular belief the hips and legs are more responsible for long drives than the arms. The arms must be trained to make a consistent firm arc through the ball. The hips and legs, in the twisting motion of the body, generate the most power for the drive.
Placement of the ball between the feet is critical. If the ball is too far forward, closer to the left foot, the ball will be topped, or even lifted because it will be beyond the 90 degree angle of the stick upon contact. If the ball is too far back in the stance, closer to the right foot, then the ball will be driven into the ground. The ball must be swept off the surface smoothly for the greatest distance.
Each player has their own swing radius and a sweet spot. This is where the stick consistently reaches it's lowest point in the swing. Each player must learn where it is. It may be a bit farther back on their stance or a bit forward of center. The player must learn where it is and practice addressing the ball consistenly so that drive can be executed without delaying the game or allowing the opponents to get into defensive positions.
My suggestion to anyone wishing to improve their drive is to learn the golfer's mechanics. Study and practice them. The best place to do this is at a driving range. Take your stick and for under $5. you can get a lot of reps with a smaller ball that has the same specific gravity as a field hockey ball. You want to hit long low drives consistently. Remember, mechanics are better than force. When you get back to the field hockey field it will be easier to hit the larger ball. Please Note: We all agree that the drive is very important. If players cannot master the above mentioned skills the next best alternative is to use the ice hockey technique with the right hand lower and used to sweep the ball forward. The end result is most important. The ball must cover a great distance, and must do so with great accuracy.
The picture illustrates what should not be happening. She has no teammates in position or trying to get into position to receive the drive. Her drive, if it gets through will be intercepted by the defenders in back. What should have been a turnover and an advantage for the white team will end up a turnover in favor of the blue team. As golfers say, "You drive for show and putt for dough". But for the field hockey player, consistent accurate drives will increase your effectiveness. Forwards must run to position to receive the drive. All free hits should send the ball deeply and accurately into the attack zone and should result in a higher number of goals. Players should work on passing especially push passes. These passes are quicker to execute and more accurate. When passing look for long diagonals. Most defenders mark-up north to south or from endline to endline. Passes across these lanes are hard to defend causing the defense to shift from side to side. The more the defense moves to get in position the more chances you have of them lining up wrong to your benefit. Confusion on the part of the defense is a great ally, create it and use it frequently.
To be successful in passing the ball you must get the ball past a defender. This can be done by force, or speed of the shot. Another way is to understand your opponent. Good players will watch your eyes to see where you are looking and then intercept the ball when it is hit. Good passers will look around to see where to pass and then pass without looking directly upon striking the ball. The zone system allows you to pass without looking. But how do you get the ball past someone if your not using the zone system? Here's a few things to think about to get the ball down field.
First, you can fake to pass or drive in one direction, get the defenders to move one way then pass or drive in another. Many players use this method very successfully. Think about the nature of the game when passing, driving or in any other facet of play. All players hold the stick right handed. A defender will face you with their stick pointing to the left. Passing should be to the right of the defender since moving the stick to block the shot will be 1. more difficult, 2. slower, 3. there is more chance of playing the ball with the wrong side of the stick resulting in a free hit for you, 4. even if they react quickly the design of the stick will make it harder to make contact with the ball. This will work especially well if your teammates are all on the same page about this. If they know the ball will be passed to the right side of the defender they can get into position to receive it better. Sometimes, especially in field hockey, thinking out some simple things like this can give you an advantage over teams that rely solely upon athleticism. This is what makes field hockey such a great game! A smart team with average skills can compete with teams that rely upon their superior athleticism only.
The most common mistake shooters make is the same that is associated with dribbling. In the effort to control the ball the shooter has her head down looking at the ball. The shot is usually straight ahead and hard... and usually right at the goalkeeper. One asset to a shooter is vision, especially peripheral vision seeing what's around you without looking directly at it. You need to be looking at the ball but you also need to see other things. This takes practice, lots of it. Consider the success of Larry Bird. He wasn't fast, couldn't jump high, but he saw the entire court without focusing on any one area. He was always known for his great "vision". You need to open you eyes and mind. See everything without looking at any one thing.
The other important factor is that the goalkeeper, even the good ones, have trouble moving from side to side, or laterally. You know that the goalkeeper has five feet of open space on either side. Sometimes she can have ten feet of open space if they're playing at the post. Notice where she is and shoot to where she isn't. Many goalkeepers look like all-stars by shooters who don't look where they are shooting. Watch and you'll see. Many keepers make saves without even moving, the ball was hit right at them. There's way too much net for you to be missing. Make the goalkeeper move. Attack their left side and shoot to the right, or vice versa. Be deceptive!
Another thing, don't try to blast it by. That's what the goalkeeper is expecting and anticipating. Use misdirection and various speeds. Plain and simple, don't react to what they do, make them react to what you are doing. Accuracy is the most important skill of the shooter. Hard blasted shots may look nice but well placed shots win games.