Learning Hockey:
Change direction on the go for a smooth run

If you’ve been reading up on the dribble and forehand run, you should know that’s not enough to have mobility on the field. You need to know when and how to change direction while running with the ball. And you need to be really quick at it. There are a few simple exercises that can get a player up to speed on changing direction with the ball. It involves placing four marked cones (A, B, C, D) 3 metres apart on the ground to form a square.

Begin by getting into the running position and gripping the stick – back bent slightly forward, giving you marginal vision ahead. Start the forehand run with the ball in the clockwise direction, turning to the right around all the four cones. Next, switch direction and practise the forehand run, turning to the left around all the four cones.

Now try the dribble run with the ball, turning to the right around all the four cones. Then the dribble run turning to the left around all the four cones. You need to occasionally look up so that you have vision of the ground ahead.

Finally, there’s a start-stop motion one needs to get used to during dribble runs. Get someone to assist you with a whistle or similar mark at intervals – your cue to change direction. Start by dribbling forward to the left. On the whistle, stop and switch direction to the right. Repeat and follow this pattern.

For practising with a group, relay running is a useful exercise. You can have two to three groups of five each. Set up your cones on the ground, 5 metres apart in the form of a square. Now you can do a relay run, turning to the right after running fast with the ball on the forehand. All the five finishing first would be declared the winner.

Speed is extremely important in all these runs, so try to be quick on your feet while practising. The next post will cover the techniques for pushing the ball.