How to Play Defense in Field Hockey

In field hockey, the defense position is composed of three defenders. These are the left, middle, and center defenders. Sometimes they are referred to as defense, and other times as fullbacks. Their role is serving as key players on the field who can assist the goalie is stopping the opposing team from scoring.The three defense players in field hockey must work together to limit the opportunity for the other team to score. A high level of coordination between them and the goalie is required.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• quick reflexes
• good vision
• ability to change strategy quickly

How To Play Defense in Field Hockey

1. Always keep your head up when playing defense in field hockey. The key for a defense position is that you must be able to react to what the offensive attackers are doing. Your positioning will change rapidly, based on the location of the ball and which attacker has it.

2. Challenge the attacker on your side of the field. If the attacker on your side of the field has the ball, you must become the front defender. In general defense players in field hockey will form a diagonal line between the attacker and the opposite corner of the goal. As the closest defense player, your job is to try to steal the ball from the attacker, and keep him from passing it into the scoring circle.

3. Protect the scoring circle. In general, this role passes on to the middle defense player. His goal is to limit the ability of attackers to pass the ball into the attack circle. Remember, if the attacker is not in the attack circle with the ball, he cannot score a goal.

4. Help defend the goal if you are the defense player furthest from the attacker with the ball. The goalie will try to come out of the goal mouth slightly and cut down the angle that the attacker has to shoot. This will often leave the far end of the goal unguarded, or with limited defense. The defense player furthest from the attacker with the ball must assist the goalie by guarding that corner. Remember, a quick pass could leave an attacker on the other side of the field an open goal to shoot at if you fail to assist your goalie.

5. Play the ball to the outside of the field. Once again, a goal can only be scored if the attacker has the ball in the attack circle. Play the ball to the outside of the field when you are a defense player. This will limit the chances of a bad bounce giving another attacker a lucky opportunity at an open goal. Once you get the ball outside, then you can play it up the field. It's much better to knock the ball out of bounds on the outside instead of trying a dangerous play through the attack circle.

Tips & Warnings

• Know where the attackers are on the field, and be ready to react if a pass goes to another attacker.
• Never elevate your stick above your waist as a defender playing the ball, as this will result in a penalty shot.

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