School Hockey: Push Pass Square with Corner Switch

Warm-up in groups of four in a cone square: students push-pass to the teammate at the next corner and run to take another corner. It builds the safest flat pass in field hockey and activates movement with the stick.

How to play

1. Explain the push pass: blade against the ball from the start, no backswing, weight moves from back foot to front foot and the blade follows through toward the target (1 min).
2. Groups of four in 8-meter squares with one student per cone; pass to the teammate on the right and walk along your own passing line (2 min).
3. Same circuit at a jog, changing direction on the whistle; always pass with the flat side of the stick (2 min).
4. Add a second ball to the square: passes leave from opposite corners at the same time, so students must look before passing (2 min).
5. The passer runs diagonally to the empty corner, and the receiver controls the ball facing the next pass (2 min).
6. Each group discusses how many passes went wrong and which part of the technique failed (1 min).

Rules

• Only push passes are allowed: no hits with a backswing.
• The ball always stays on the ground; if it lifts, redo the pass.
• Squares are at least 13 feet apart from each other.
• Only the flat side of the stick is used.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stays at a fixed corner and only passes and receives, without moving.
• Visual impairment: brightly colored or bell ball, and teammates call the name before passing.
• Recent ankle injury: takes part at a walk and only receives at their corner.

Learning goals

• Perform the push pass with the blade in contact with the ball.
• Activate the lower body with short movements and changes of direction.
• Look at the receiver and surroundings before releasing the pass.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hockey sticks: 28
• hockey balls: 14
• cones: 28

Teacher tip

Correct the backswing first: it is the mistake that later leads to lifted passes. Set the squares so passes run parallel and never point toward another group.

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