Have you ever considered playing field hockey but weren’t sure what position you should try out for? Wanting to join a club but not sure what positions they are looking for? Worried about where you should practice and if there’s enough space for everyone? Don’t worry, we got you covered! In this article, we will give you an overview of the different roles you can play in field hockey and how you can fit into them. We will also tell you which position is best suited to your skill set.
Table of Contents
Pitcher
One of the most recognizable positions in field hockey is the pitcher. The goalie is usually positioned at the other end of the field and the rest of the players are in the middle. The pitcher is responsible for throwing the ball in to the goalie. Ideally, the goalie should be able to catch the ball and tuck it away before the attacker can get to it. If the goalie fails to catch the ball, then it is considered a goal and the team that scored it gets a point added to their score.
Pitching is a very demanding position in field hockey. It requires good hand-eye coordination, as well as the ability to throw the ball with enough velocity to reach the goalie. In addition, the pitcher needs to have enough stamina to continuously throw the ball for the entire game. Because of the physical demands of the position, most pitchers in field hockey are big players and usually play on teams with at least six players.
Forward
The other most recognizable position in field hockey is the forward. This is the position from which the attackers start the game. An attacker is a player that is on the goal line and can either shoot the ball or pass it to a teammate. There are several options for forwards in field hockey. One of the most basic ones is the classic “pitch and run” strategy. In this case, the player runs with the ball and tries to put the opponent off guard by tricking them with a fake shot. However, this is not a very practical strategy when compared to others.
If you want to play football, you will have to decide whether you want to be a running back, wide receiver, or placekicker. Similar to these positions in American football, the forward in field hockey can choose from a variety of strategies. Some of the more popular ones are listed below.
Shooter
A sniper is another one of the most recognizable positions in field hockey. This is a player that is hiding in the woods, far from the goal, and takes shots on goal. The player that is being targeted is either unaware of the shooter’s presence or unable to stop the shot. In either case, the goal is to trick the opponent into thinking that it was a run-of-the-mill goal when in reality it was the work of an expert marksman.
Shooters can be either offensive or defensive in nature, depending on the situation. If the team that scored the goal is nearby and there is little threat of a counterattack, then the shooter could be of help in defending the goal. If, however, the danger of an attack is great and the team needs someone to stop the puck before it gets to the goaltender, then the shot will be an offensive weapon.
Defensemen
The defensemen are the other players on the field hockey team. They are generally bigger, stronger, and faster than the forwards. Their main job is to protect the goalie and try to keep the other team’s attacks under control. They are usually positioned on the half-field line between the goalie and the goal to stop any attacks from there. The defensemen cannot score the goal themselves, but they can help the goalie in doing so.
The most recognizable positions in the defensive group are the defenders. A defender is a player that is protecting the goal and trying to keep the opponent from scoring. The most basic strategy for a defender is to simply try to prevent the goal with your body and stick. However, experienced defenders can use tactics and strategies to trick the opponent. Some of the more popular ones used by field hockey defenders include:
Angling Shot
The angling shot is one of the earliest tricks used by field hockey defenders. In this case, the player uses their body to block the goalie’s view of the puck. This prevents the goalie from seeing the shot coming and makes it more difficult for them to stop the puck. The player angling the ball will usually hide nearby until the last possible moment to surprise the goalie and lodge the ball in the net.
This is one of the most recognizable strategies in field hockey because it is such a simple yet effective way of scoring a goal. Many experienced goalies have confessed that they are not ready for the ball and have never seen a shot come from so far away. In other words, the game is over before it even began.
Lateral Move
The lateral move is another one of the earliest tricks used by field hockey defenders. In this case, the player takes a quick peek at the goalie to see if they are watching and, if not, sneaks a quick shot past them. The player then quickly turns around and runs in the opposite direction. This makes it look like the goal was scored even though it was not. Because the move is so quick and subtle, the opponent has little time to react and block the ball. The lateral move can be considered one of the most basic yet effective tricks for field hockey defenders.
Covering Cross
The covering cross is yet another one of the earliest tactics used by field hockey players. The defender crosses their opposite leg over their in-stance foot and uses the other limb to block the approaching shot. This is a very quick move that can be used to either block or deflect the ball so that it goes in the other direction. The defender then changes direction and continues to block the shot until they can get back to where they started.
The advantage of this move is that it is very quick and easy to do if the defender wants to block a shot. However, if they decide that they want to deflect the ball in the other direction, they will have to get back to where they started which, considering their positioning, will be very difficult. This is one of the most basic yet effective tactics used by field hockey players.
Backhand Stop
The backhand stop is yet another one of the tactics used by field hockey players. The defender positions their hand behind their back to stop the ball from going in. This is another one of the most basic yet effective tactics for field hockey players. The backhand stop is used when the goalie is expecting a shot but the player decides to sneak in and put the puck in the back of the net.
Upward Roll
An upward roll is yet another one of the tactics used by field hockey players. The defender positions their inside foot on the ice and the outside one on the ground. After that, they lean forward and lift their arms up toward the sky. This makes it look like the goal was scored even though it was not. The trickery here is in the lift, not the position of the feet. Once the defender gets the ball, they will stop and roll it away before the goaltender can react.
This is one of the most basic yet effective tactics used by field hockey players. The lift requires great flexibility and is thus a difficult maneuver to master. However, once mastered, it can be used to score goals that trick even the most experienced goalies.
One-Two Punch
The one-two punch is yet another one of the tactics used by field hockey players. In this case, one player takes a powerful slap shot while the other gets ready to block it with their stick. If the first player’s shot hits the stick of the second one, then it is considered an assist. This is one of the most basic yet effective tactics used by field hockey players. The difference in this case is that the shot blocker is also doing the attacking.
Other Options
Besides the above mentioned positions, there are several other roles you can play in field hockey. These include the goalkeeper (who is responsible for making the saves and keeping the ball out of the net), and the sweeper (who is responsible for cleaning up the ice after the game). Another option is the coach. This is someone who guides, motivates, and helps the team members achieve their full potential. In the end, it is all about what position you are most comfortable playing and what type of strategy you can master.