School Hockey: Reverse-Stick Receiving

In field hockey only the flat side may be used, so balls arriving on the left are received by turning the stick over: the reverse-stick receive. Students practice a stationary stop, a forward-facing receive, and choosing between a reverse receive and moving to receive on the forehand.

How to play

1. Demonstrate the turn: toe of the stick pointing down, flat side facing the ball, stick tilted forward so the ball does not bounce up, and a loose right hand (3 min).
2. In pairs 6 m apart, push passes to the receiver's left, who stops on the reverse and returns on the forehand (4 min).
3. Receive facing forward: after the reverse stop, the receiver moves the ball forward in one touch and dribbles to a cone 3 m to their left (4 min).
4. Passes to the right or left without warning: the receiver decides whether to receive on the reverse or has time to move and receive on the forehand (4 min).
5. Groups of three in a line: pass to the left of the middle player, forward-facing reverse receive and pass to the third player; rotate every 6 passes (5 min).

Rules

• Only the flat side is used; touching the ball with the rounded side is a foul.
• The ball is always passed on the ground with a push.
• The stick does not rise above the waist when turning it over.
• Pairs are lined up in parallel rows 13 feet from the next ones.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: receives from the wheelchair with slower passes into a marked zone on the floor.
• Visual impairment: brightly colored ball, and the passer calls out “left” or “right” when passing.
• Wrist injury: does only the decision part, receiving on the forehand by moving.

Learning goals

• Receive on the reverse without the ball bouncing off.
• Turn the receive so play can continue on the next touch.
• Decide between a reverse receive and moving based on the time available.

Equipment for a class of 25

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

Teacher tip

Most mistakes come from a vertical stick: ask students to tilt it forward like a roof over the ball. Mix left- and right-handed partners so no one always picks the comfortable side.

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