Field hockey playbook tackling

Field Hockey PlaybookDerek E. Pappas

Derek E. Pappas Copyright © 2009

Defending

GripsFootwork


Defense1 on 1

Defensive footwork

Center of gravity

Deliberate fouls

Slowing down players/channeling

Marking

Tackling

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1 vs 1 defense

Footwork

Grips

Center of gravity

Posture

Vision


1 vs 1 defense-cont.

Faking the commit

Types of tackles

When/where to make different types of tackles

Slowing down the player (delay) so that someone else can tackle them

Fouling


Defensive Foot work

No cross over

Slide step

neutral position (tennis volley)

Drag step (fencing)


Center of gravity

Your center of gravity is the body position which allows you to move in any direction.

If you are not in balance then you can only move in one direction. The players on the other team know this and can use this to their advantage.


Center of gravity

Center of gravity is important for offensive and defensive players.

Offensive players who are not in balance are more easily tackled.

Defensive players who are not in balance can be beaten with a change of direction


Posture

Weight on balls of feet (don’t get caught (flat footed”)

Bend ankles/knees/waist

Flat back


Faking the commit


Types of tackles

Marking tackle

Open field tackle

Tackle from behind

Tackle from side

Sliding tackle


When/where to make different types of tackles


Channeling

Forcing the offensive player to go where you want them to go

To the corners

Into another defender

Away from their attackers


Slowing down the player for others

If you can cut a players angle to the goal off and force them to run side ways the defenders behind you can recover.

Every step that the offensive player takes side ways across the field is one step that a defender can recover toward the goal.

Delay the offensive player so your defenders can get back into position


Jab TackleDo not show the player your reach.

Hold the stick in the left hand with the thumb down the toe side of the stick

Right hand should be half way down.

Left hand goes down towards the ground first and then out-keep your center of gravity between your feet

Jab when the player turns their stick over the top of the ball by sliding the stick out through the right hand

Fake the jab with the body, stick and foot work. Think Bruce Lee fake.


Closing players downShoulder to shoulder

Match their foot work

Eye on ball

Wait to make tackle

Watch for pull back into your feet


Front stock tackling-rightLeft hand pushed out

Thumb down the back of stick

Ball 6” up stick..not at the end of stick


Correct front stick tackleThumb down back of stick

Eyes on ball

Left hand pushed out from side

Footwork-defender matching offensive stride


Front Stick flat tackle

Grip: hand on top of stick

Hand pushed out from side of body next to ground

Slide stick out to meet the ball 6 inches up the stick

Keep your eye on the ball

Force the defender to one side


Front stick tacklingClose player down

Force them onto your front sticks

Left hand in strong grip and away from body; pushed out to left of body and feet

Maintain center of gravity


Correct reverse stick running tackleShoulder to shoulder

stick at 45 degrees


Shoulder to shoulder tacklingDon’t push them in their back with your hand.


Tackling from behind-right sideIf a player on your right is protecting the ball with their front sticks then go under their stick to get the ball.


Slide stick under


Chasing the ballKeep your eye on the ball

Run hard...the other person is also

hands in front


Stopping forward passesThe blue player makes a forward pass and the red player can’t stop it because they went across the path of the ball instead of following the path of the ball with the reverse stick. The defender’s eyes must follow the path of the ball and the stick will as well


Tackle in groups


Triangle DefenseOne man deep

Two to the side

The men on the side step in to close the gap


Triangle DefenseTwo men on the sides have moved together to reduce the space for the offensive player.


If you diveYou better make the tackle

There is no recovery


Dive tacklingIf you dive tackle you must get the ball

else you are completely eliminated

Here red dove along the path of the ball instead of perpendicular to the path and missed the ball.


Tackling mistakesBehind player with ball

Stick too vertical

Swinging down to tackle

Hitting player’s stick (not the ball)


Tackling mistakesWrong grip

Stick in air

Stick angled up


Don’t jump


The danger zoneThe hit follow through will hurt you. Do not stand in the danger zone. Either shoulder to shoulder or get out of the way.


The danger zoneClosing your eyes will not protect you.

Do not get caught in the follow through of a hit.

Shoulder to shoulder or front sticks tackle.

Poke the ball away on back swing not the follow through.

Stop shot on with front stick not reverse.


Getting bodies into position

The goalie/sweeper must organize the defense

The defense needs to communicate to channel players into the corners/sidelines or the middle

One player runs with the offensive ball carrier while another player makes the tackle

Trapping the ball carrier with “gang” tackling

Chasing the defensive passing with two players-one is not enough


Flow

Moving the other team around on the field

Forcing the other team left/right

Forcing the other team into the middle (funnel)


Marking

Position

Visibility

Footwork

Staying with the offensive player


Marking-position

Ball side/goal side

One yard from the player


Marking-footwork

Do not get caught crossing over your step

Slide step

Tennis volley position

feet in neutral position


Staying with the player

Man to man

Do not get screened

Do not let the offense run a “pick and roll”

Zone

Switch players if necessary

Watch for stick/hand signals


Using the flow against the defense


Recognizing when the offense is creating a flow


Defending in triangles against a running build up

Close down the gaps

Give them the flat pass/run not the through pass/run


Closing down from behindThe blue player is preparing to jab tackle or slide stick under the red player’s stick to get the ball.


Closing players down

The red player has shown the blue player his “reach”. Reach is the distance from your feet to the end of the stick. Don’t show the offensive players your “reach” when you close them down. Two hands on the stick when closing down


Closing DownThe defender’s stride pattern has to match the offensive player’s stride pattern. Here red is in trouble-red is taking bigger steps than blue.

The defender should not “throw” the stick when there is no chance of making a tackle as in this picture.


Closing down playersFootwork short steps

Control change of direction

Maintain your center of gravity

Jab and feint to move offensive player


Closing players down

Two hands on stick.

Wait for opportunity to tackle.

Cut the forwards angle to goal off.

Slow them down.

Make them look at ball so they do not have passing options.


Channeling attackers

Channel (direct) the attacker into another defender who either makes the tackle or causes the ball runner to change direction, hence slowing them down and allowing defensive players from behind to catch up


Defending in the Dbacks bent

knees bent

ankles bent

sticks on ground

active position


Fouling

Midfield

Inside the defensive 25

Inside the circle/D


Professional foulFirst you stop the ball

Then you stop the stick

Then you stop the player


Fouls-Mid field

Slow down counter attacks

Don’t let the other team build-no flow

Professional fouls on counter attacks/break aways


Fouls-Inside the defensive 25

Harsh fouls result in a short corner

Watch for quick restarts (self start rule)


Fouls-inside the circle

Footwork and clean stops are the key

Don’t foul inside of the circle

Short corner

Penalty flick

Documents

Field hockey playbook tackling