Welcome to Field Hockey! Whether you’re a player picking up a stick for the first time or a parent looking to learn more about the sport your child loves, everything begins with understanding the basics and positions in field hockey. Let’s get started: we are here to break down the field hockey positions to give you the information you need to know to cheer on your son or daughter!
Goal Keepers
Starting at the end of the field we have our goalies. Goalies are arguably the most brave and important players on the field. A goalie is positioned in front of a goal that is surrounded by a 16-yard scoring circle with a penalty marker directly in front of the goal. Goalies use a specific stick different from field players that is longer, wider, and thicker to withstand the powerful shots coming their way! With the protection of a helmet, leg guards and kickers goalies are able to stop the other team from scoring a goal, but they need some help as well.
Defenders
This is where our defenders come in. A defender’s job is to take the ball from their opponents and protect their goalie. There are four true defenders on each team keeping the other team’s offense outside of the scoring circle. Defenders have to be proactive, always keeping an eye on the ball and the goal to position themselves in the middle of the two. Defenders use skills like tackling, pressing, and marking to steal the ball from the other team. Once the ball is in the defender’s stick they will clear it up the field to their midfielders.
Midfielders
Midfielders (also called halfbacks) are the playmakers of the team, if you love to run this is the position for you. The game begins with a center pass in the middle of the field and most commonly a midfielder will make this to their teammates. These players have strong defense and offense abilities because they play both sides of the ball. From getting a pass off the defenders to scoring, midfielders are in the mix of it all. The tempo of the game comes from the middies, with great stamina and stick skills they dribble the ball down the field and pass it off to their forwards to score a goal.
Forwards
One of the most exciting parts of games is scoring points and forwards know all about it. Once the ball is brought down the field near the scoring circle, forwards will use dribbling and speed to move the ball around the circle and open a lane to score. As soon as a player sees a chance to score they hit the ball aiming for empty space (where the goalie isn’t). If the goalie stops the shot it’s the forward’s job to re-defend and get ready to intercept the goalie’s pass in order to keep the ball on their side of the field.
Each Position on the Field Makes a Team
Every player on the field is necessary to make things happen. No matter what position you play, having good stickwork and ball control is key! Great field hockey players work on drills outside of practice to hone in on the speed and stickwork necessary to play their role on the team. More than just individual skills, Field hockey players also need positional IQ to understand each role outside of their own. For example, If a goal is missed, forwards have to play defense, and to be a great defender it’s crucial to know how forwards are thinking and how to look for shooting cues. Each position crosses over to the rest!
Master these Field Hockey Positions at Camp!
Signature Sports Camps offer a special experience that blends traditional sleepaway summer camp with field hockey training! Campers get the opportunity to refine their field hockey skills through professional coaching and learn from like-minded athletes on the field and off the field while making unforgettable camp memories. Check out the New York field hockey camp location to learn more about the field hockey experience. We’ll see you this summer!
