Field Hockey Tip
Presented by Vianney Yamada (Campos), Camp Director
Nike Field Hockey Camp at University of San Diego
Field Hockey Tip: Tight Dribbling At Home Drill
It is important to learn how to keep your field hockey stick in contact with the ball as much as possible. When a player keeps the ball close to the stick, they can improve control, make quicker changes of direction, protect the ball from opponents, and become better field hockey players!
The field hockey drill below breaks down the tight dribble so that you can develop a high level of comfort and awareness of the ball and stick together. To practice your stick contact, join us at our Nike Field Hockey Camps this summer 2022!
2 Cone Dribbling Drill:
- Lay your stick on the ground and place one cone at each end. You can lift you stick up and you will be using your distance between cones to work on tight dribbles.
- Your body and the ball will both start on one side of the cones and you will be working pulls all the way from one cone to the other.
- Keep your feet from moving too much but you should shift your weight to improve the strength and control as you pull.
- Focus on keeping your body low to the ground by bending at your knees in an athletic stance.
- Try and pull from cone to cone without hearing too much “tapping” of the stick to ball. Instead think about the stick cradling over and around the ball to change directions.
When to use it:
- Whenever you are dribbling, and an opponent is nearby.
- Inside the circle because you will have a better chance to keep possession.
- When you are preparing to pass, change directions, or shoot.
When not to use it:
- The tight dribble can be used most of the time, but the only exception could be on a breakaway where you have a lot of space and don’t have an opponent close to you.
Check out more field hockey tips to prepare for your next field hockey camp.