Dribbling
- Loose right hand
- Ball / field visibility
- Ball position – away from feet
- Loose / tight dribble – when they are used
- Protecting the ball
- Using your “strong” side as much as possible
Goal Scoring
- Quick feet
- Shoot quickly – push, hit, flick
- Hit towards opposite side of goal
- Be prepared - field hockey position
- Low and strong base
- Be determined to score
- Practice, practice, practice different shots
Passing & Receiving
- Hand position on stick
- Footwork – balance
- Hand position on stick
- Transfer of weight
- Spreading out – field vision
- Mobility – pass a moving ball
- Ball position off foot
Defending
- Correct line – right shoulder to right shoulder
- Tackling distance
- Footwork – mobility, never square or flat
- Different grips – always changing
- Multiple tackles
- Deciding when to tackle
- Marking up and being aware of opposing team
What we Provide
The Mockingbird Valley Field Hockey Youth Program provides a place for youth field hockey players of all skill levels to develop and improve on their basic field hockey skills.
Our Field Hockey Program provides a state of the art indoor facility with an astro turf playing surface. Astro turf is the elite playing surface for the sport of field hockey and is smooth and extremely fast. Practicing and playing at Mockingbird Valley will enable young players to develop and improve their skills on the same surface used by Olympic, NCAA Division I, and elite programs across the nation.
The Mockingbird Valley Field Hockey program will also provide youth field hockey players with coaching and instruction from an elite coaching staff, led by Ashley Gillenwater and will include other players from the Division I and club levels.
Mission
The Mockingbird Valley Field Hockey program strives to develop youth field hockey players by providing a fun, safe, and productive training environment where players will build confidence, learn the importance of teamwork, and have fun while practicing the fundamental, technical, and tactical skills of the game of field hockey. The goal of our coaching staff, by providing this type of environment, is not only to motivate players to grow and develop their talent, but also to increase their passion for the game by giving them an exciting experience.