10 Field Hockey Coaching Tips

For those of you who are interested in coaching field hockey, you could probably use 10 field hockey coaching tips. These tips are guaranteed to make you that much more of an efficient field hockey coach, and to also make your job as easy as possible when training anyone from new players, to moderately experienced players. Many can also be used for already advanced players!

1. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment you will need to be a successful field hockey coach. You want to have the basic things such as whistle and comfortable clothes. But you also want to make sure to have things that no one really thinks of right off the bat such as comfortable shoes and a good hat.
2. Be sure to read up on the rules before you start field hockey coaching. Knowing the rules to field hockey, or any sport your planning on coaching, is a no brainer, but just make sure to not accidently forget this as you must be read up on your rules so you aren’t embarrassed when you do something incorrectly.
3. It is best that you are health and in shape before you start training field hockey players. This will allow you to set a good example for your team. Being in shape will also benefit you in that you won’t be as tired when you are actually doing the field hockey training.
4. While being a field hockey coach, be firm but fair. There are two extremes to coaching that many people fall in to the habit of overdoing, being too nice or to mean. By being to nice, your team will most believe that they can run over you, and being too will make your team stronger, but also make them hate you and less likely to listen to your field hockey coaching. The trick is to find midway point between the two extremes.
5. Be sure to alternate between drills and scrimmage games. Alternating between games for training and regular drills will give your team some variety so they don’t get burned out doing the same one or two drills. Doing this will also allow you to look at certain places and discover what you need to help them out with.
6. You have to motivate your team when necessary. If you do not give your team some encouragement, they will most likely get down on themselves. The rule of thumb is to just try and even out the criticism and encouragement so they don’t get cocky, but you also don’t want them discouraged and thinking they are bad.
7. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your opposing teams. Take mental notes of certain teams when you play them in a field hockey match. By doing this, you can, later in the season, instruct your team on what they should be expecting in this field hockey match.
8. Give you team constructive criticism when you feel it is necessary. This is the opposite end of the motivation tip for field hockey coaching. Your team needs to know that they can always be better, and by pointing out what they need to work on, they can know what they need to improve on during training.
9. Reward your team when they play a good field hockey game. By rewarding good games with something small, your team will be more inclined to be passionate about their game. You don’t want to do something huge, because you also want them playing for the love of the game, just give them something to look forward to after the game.
10. Keep in mind that winning is fun. This is more for coaching older people, but the old stereotype is that fun is the most important thing. Well remember that you are playing a competitive sport and that you need to encourage winning!