
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.