The game of field hockey is often considered to be quite easy to learn. There are several variants of the game where each team has just one player and therefore it is necessary to pass the ball or puck around. Even in a team game, you are usually not going to be using full-on tackles, holding and hooking. It’s really rather basic. However, things can get surprisingly complicated when you begin to tackle some of the more advanced techniques. Especially when you want to know how to tackle a reverse hit.
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The Basics
Reverse hits are fairly simple. Essentially, you are going to be doing the same thing you would for any other kind of hit, trying to bring the opposing player down to the ground. Of course, you want to do this without hurting yourself or, worse yet, leaving the opposing player completely unharmed. This is where things can get tricky. In order to do this, you are going to have to learn how to tackle effectively.
Effective Tackling
The best kind of tackling is going to be determined by what is most effective for you. You should be looking for something that allows you to bring your opponent to the ground as safely as possible. In most cases, this is going to mean using your arms instead of your legs. When you use your legs, you are more likely to cause injury, especially if the player you are tackling is much larger than you. Of course, this also depends on where you are hitting the player. If it is a blindside hit, you may not have the best view of the hitting area and therefore may be more vulnerable to injury. Using your arms is always going to be safer and more effective, even if it is more difficult to learn.
Set Up Is Everything
When you are in the act of tackling, you are going to have to take a few things into consideration. First, you are going to have to set up your approach to the hit properly. Even if you are a professional athlete, it is still going to be difficult to tackle a player who is moving around a lot or who is simply out of reach. Setting your approach properly takes some time and requires some practice, so don’t be afraid to take your time and do it right. Once you have set up your approach, take a deep breath and launch into the tackle. You don’t want to rush it, otherwise you are more likely to stumble or fall over the tackling dummy or your own player (if they are out of reach).
Reverse Hitter
A reverse hitter is, in theory, someone who is defending and preventing you from scoring a goal. While it is not always the case that this person is trying to injure you (more often than not, it is simply a case of one player trying to stop another from scoring a goal), it is still going to be difficult to beat them with the simplest moves. For instance, if you are running with the ball and they tackle you from behind, you are going to have to give them the ball. However, it is always better to trip or fall over an opponent than it is to let them reach the goal. Especially if it is a crucial goal that you are trying to preserve. Using a variety of tactics and moves is going to be the key to defeating a reverse hitter. However, if you want to score a goal yourself, you are still going to have to put in the work to do it.
How To Score A Goal Against A Reverse Hit
Let’s say that you are playing against someone who has decided to play the role of the reverse hitter. This is typically one of the more difficult positions to be in and it often requires a lot of strategizing. Essentially, you are going to have to determine what move you are going to use to get the ball past them. Once you do this, it’s just a matter of executing it properly. In order to do this, you are going to have to practice and, again, take your time. You should get down a few goals before you begin to play against actual opponents. This is especially important if you are using the same moves against them. It’s always better to learn from experience rather than simply using a technique because you saw someone else do it successfully. Even if it is merely a game, you could find yourself seriously injured if you aren’t careful. The last thing you want is to put yourself in a position where you are hurt because you rushed the process or weren’t thinking about your own safety properly. This is something that you are going to have to take into consideration every time you put on the gloves.
The Difference Between A Blocked Shot And A Deflected Shot
Sometimes, your opponent may try to block or stop your shot with their skates. In this case, what you want to do is slide your hand or arm underneath their leg while they are in the process of blocking. This is a common technique that ice hockey players use to shoot the puck past an opponent. When you do this, you are going to block the shot without taking the hit. However, sometimes your opponent may decide to pass the ball or puck to a teammate who is going to hit you. In this case, what you want to do is move out of the way and let the shot pass by. You do this by simply deflecting it with your arm or hand. To determine the difference between a blocked shot and a deflected shot, just feel the puck or ball while it is passing by. If it is touching your body, it is going to be a deflected shot and you should simply move out of the way. However, if it is not touching your body and it is simply going to hit the ground before it hits yours, it is going to be a blocked shot and you should try to block it with your hands or arms.
When To Hit And When Not To
You should always avoid hitting your opponent if you can help it. Even if you are simply playing around, you could find yourself seriously injured. The best thing you can do for yourself and for your opponent is simply not to hit them. It is always better to simply walk away and ignore them rather than risk getting hurt yourself or your teammate. Sometimes, this may mean playing the game a bit safer and not taking the hit when you don’t have to. The main thing is that you try to avoid it altogether. However, there are times when it is unavoidable and you should not be afraid to take a hit. For example, if they have the ball and you have the opportunity to score a goal, it may be a good idea to take a hit rather than walk away. You should only do this if you are sure that it is safe to hit them and you have trained your body to take a hit repeatedly.
Final Takeaway
In conclusion, knowing how to tackle effectively is quite important. Even if you are simply playing around, you could find yourself seriously injured if you aren’t careful. However, knowing when to hit and when not to can prevent you from getting hurt and therefore it is always worth it.