Have you ever been on the ball and all your see around you is defenders, with no passing options?

I often see players falling into the defenders trap, losing the ball off the baseline or dribbling straight into their flat stick tackle, because they're outnumbered or try to force the ball through a channel.

In the video below we look at an example of how to get your eyes up and let the ball do the work by changing channels, especially when you're bogged down with no options forward.

Get Your Eyes Up & Let The Ball Do The Work in Field Hockey

Here's a summary of the key points:

#1: Recognise when the channel gets closed down

Instead of forcing the ball down a channel that the defenders have closed down that leaves you with little to no options, recognise when you need to try change the channel.

#2: Use backspace to get your eyes ups

Moving the ball back away from the defender gives you time to get your eyes up to assess your options and find the space.

#3: Move the ball (using a disguised pass)

Once you've identified space, use a relevant passing skill to get the ball to a free player. This could be a direct long pass to a player on the opposite channel or a shorter pass to a player in the pivot position who can move the ball forward using a different channel.

It can be useful to put some disguise on your pass, so that the defenders are less likely to read it.

#4: Receive with your next move in mind

When you are about to receive a ball think about what you're going to do next to position the ball in a suitable place.

In the example above the attacker receives the ball across his body and positions it to the right of his body, pulling the defender out of the centre and allowing him to get his pass away quicker.

#5: Far post positioning

The striker on the far post got himself into a great position, holding the space on the post outside the line of the GK. Many players tend to lead towards the ball here, which compresses the space and makes it a bit easier for the keeper to close you down.

When the flat slap pass was made, all he had to do was put his stick down and let the ball do the work.

#6: Keep stick in neutral position

Notice where the striker positions their stick as the player at the top of the circle is about to pass.

You don't always know where the ball is going to go until the pass is made so keep your stick in a neutral position low to the ground, ready to move it quickly to your left or right (as soon as you can read the line of the pass being made).

#7: Body position for better deflection angles

Once the striker on the far post reads the line of the ball, he adjust his body and opens up his hips and left foot to get your stick in the right position to deflect the ball into the goal.

This is just ONE example in a game that highlights key principles that you can apply to your game. If you'd like to learn how you can improve your game click here to apply for our mentorship program

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