Maybe cliché to say, I know. But it’s true. While I may be biased toward field hockey because I played in high school (hi, Colonial Valley Conference), there isn’t a single lesson I learned on the field that I haven’t used off the field.
We spend so much time associating athletic performance with being fit and strong, which is important of course, but we can only get so far unless our minds and hearts are trained in tandem. Our hosts during this most recent We Tried It Workshop, PowerHouse Field Hockey, share that sentiment and emphasized its importance in striving to become a “complete athlete”. As a part of the FP Movement team, this hit home as we are constantly finding new ways to balance fitness and wellness. Playing field hockey with my colleagues re-ignited the very reason why I fell in love with the sport in the first place – even though my quads were burning, so was my heart.
FP MOVEMENT
We Tried It: Field Hockey
By: Sarah Moxham
My favorite thing about field hockey – it’s so much more than just a game.
EYES ON THE BALL
First and foremost, holding a field hockey stick is awkward. Contrary to the ‘hockey on grass' connotation of the name, the skill of holding the stick and controlling the ball is a unique skill of its own. The stick has only one flat side and needs to be swiveled around to maintain control of the ball, rather than using both sides equally like in ice hockey.
Once we got stickhandling down, it was on to dribbling. As with any ball-based sport, keeping your eye on the ball is key. However, the thing that sets field hockey apart from other sports is the use of space, and how this affects game play on an individual and team level.
Once we got stickhandling down, it was on to dribbling. As with any ball-based sport, keeping your eye on the ball is key. However, the thing that sets field hockey apart from other sports is the use of space, and how this affects game play on an individual and team level.
When things get congested on the field (think defenders on your back), using a speed dribble that maintains constant contact and possession of the ball is key while when things slow down, and space opens up, you have more room to tap the ball along. The same is true for passing: short quick passes can get you through intense moments, while big, long passes can travel the field and set up plays.
Hand-eye coordination aside, the key here is communication. In field hockey, you have a total of eleven players from each team on the field, all working to not only get the ball into the opposing team’s goal, but to defend their own goal from being scored on. Whether you have the ball or not, you’re constantly relying on your teammates to: be your eyes and ears, tell you who’s open, alert you to a sneaky defender, give you outlets to make a play for the team and for yourself.
Hand-eye coordination aside, the key here is communication. In field hockey, you have a total of eleven players from each team on the field, all working to not only get the ball into the opposing team’s goal, but to defend their own goal from being scored on. Whether you have the ball or not, you’re constantly relying on your teammates to: be your eyes and ears, tell you who’s open, alert you to a sneaky defender, give you outlets to make a play for the team and for yourself.
SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES
Arguably the most fun part of our experience was shooting on the goal. The sound of that ball hitting the backboards of the cage – unbeatable.
We went through several drills learning how to best hit the ball: bending your knees, hands together, keeping your head and chest down, and following through. Through these drills, and really the entire experience, we learned that the key to field hockey is that you are drawing power from your lower body, not your arms.
We went through several drills learning how to best hit the ball: bending your knees, hands together, keeping your head and chest down, and following through. Through these drills, and really the entire experience, we learned that the key to field hockey is that you are drawing power from your lower body, not your arms.
DO MORE, TOGETHER
Whether you are using a slap shot or a push shot (transferring weight from one leg to the other while pushing the ball with you), you need to stay grounded through your core and lower body. It was really empowering to feel my own body’s strength as we were practicing these drills, especially as someone who doesn’t do a ton of upper body exercise.
After we grew comfortable with the mechanics of shooting, we practiced scoring. We learned that about 80% of goals are scored closer to the goalie than from the top of the shooting circle.
After we grew comfortable with the mechanics of shooting, we practiced scoring. We learned that about 80% of goals are scored closer to the goalie than from the top of the shooting circle.
“This is yet another thing I love about field hockey, and that I’ve taken with me through life off the field: you can be successful on your own, but you’ll do even more with the help of others.”
PASS THE BALL
WHAT WE WORE
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