How to Dribble in Field Hockey
Moving the ball in field hockey is fundamental. Passing to a teammate is always helpful, but when your passing lanes are shut or you have room on the field, dribble. Dribbling is moving the ball with your stick while running. The goal is to outmaneuver your opponent and maintain possession of the ball.
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Instructions
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Dribble straight when you have open space without opponents to move in. Keep an open stance when you have more room. The farther out from your feet the ball is, the faster you can run. This does not, however, work well with opponents right in front of you.
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Move the inverted "V" grip of your left hand on your stick a little to the right (see "How to Hit the Ball in Field Hockey"). This shift will make the shift to the reverse stick position easier if you find you need to change the direction you are hitting the ball.
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Keep your hands well apart on the stick - but if you get them too far apart, you will have to bend over too far and won't be able to watch where you're going.
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Try to keep your back straight and head up with your weight balanced over both feet to enable sudden direction changes.
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Cradle the ball in the toe of your stick, moving it where you want it to go while advancing up the field.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch for easy errors like keeping your stick too upright and letting the ball get too close to your feet. Watching the ball instead of where you're going makes you an easy target for interception.
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
How can I dribble a defender?
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bendonavan
Aug 29, 2010
I am BEN -
Nov 22, 2005
When attacking with the ball, and there are two defenders, run toward the lower defender. This makes the defender presently trying to tackle you move toward you, therefore opening space. Additionally, it makes the lower defender confused about his role, as they must make up there mind whether to tackle or leave you. Either way it is going to help. If they decide to tackle, it leaves a player open for a pass and therefore you have eliminated two defenders! On the other hand, if they decide to leave you, you can run straight on into the D and have a shot!
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Nov 22, 2005
Try to keep the ball close to you, but not so close as to make the stick upright. If the ball is too far away from your body, you are an easy target for a tackle. Another tip is to try to move with the ball effectively, shielding the ball, but not obstructing the opponents.
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Nov 22, 2005
When running with the ball, run in arcs, not straight lines! By doing so you are continually moving the defender in front of you, which in most cases opens up an option to pass. An arc shape is sort of like a crescent moon, so start off running left and then turn back in and run right.
