School Hockey: Indian Dribble and Change of Pace

Students learn the Indian dribble, the zigzag dribble that moves the ball from right to left by turning the stick to use the flat side and the reverse. It progresses from the isolated skill to beating a lane defender with a change of pace.

How to play

1. Demonstrate the turn: the left hand at the top turns the stick, the right hand stays loose as a guide, and the ball stays in front of the body, never against the feet (2 min).
2. Standing in place, drag the ball from right to left turning the stick, first slowly counting aloud and then at each student's own pace (3 min).
3. Move at a walk and then at a jog along 15-meter lanes, with at least 6 side changes per lane (4 min).
4. In lanes with two change-of-pace cones: slow Indian dribble up to the cone and fast straight-line dribble on one side to the next cone (4 min).
5. 4-meter lane with a defender in a pinnie who only moves sideways: the attacker uses the Indian dribble to hold the defender in place and speeds up on the open side; switch roles every 4 attempts (5 min).
6. Group discussion: when the Indian dribble pays off and when it is better to dribble fast or pass (2 min).

Rules

• The ball is played only with the flat side of the stick; the edge and the rounded side do not count.
• The lane defender cannot put the stick between the attacker's legs or touch their body.
• The ball stays on the ground and the stick below the waist.
• Lanes are at least 10 feet apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: dribbles one-handed beside the chair, with a short stick and a larger ball.
• Hearing impairment: stage changes are signaled with the arm and colored cones, not the whistle.
• Low fitness: covers half the lane and rests while the partner runs the lane drill.

Learning goals

• Master the stick turn to dribble with the flat side and the reverse.
• Combine slow and fast dribbling to beat an opponent.
• Decide when to use the dribble rather than other options.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hockey sticks: 28
• hockey balls: 28
• cones: 24
• pinnies: 6

Teacher tip

Many students turn the stick with both hands: insist that the right hand only guides. Mix left- and right-handers, since field hockey sticks are the same for everyone.

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