A Successful Field Hockey Formation

In North America, hockey is called field hockey because of the popular game played on ice. Go Rangers! Like ice hockey, the team uses sticks to try to hit, push or flick the balls into the opponents' goal. As other hockey and field sports, two teams play on opposing ends. The two teams either play offense or defense. The offense, the team with the ball, in field hockey is called attackers. The goal of the game is for one team to score by placing the ball in the other team's net.

Each team can have up to sixteen players. Eleven players are allowed to be on the pitch at one time. The other five can be used as substitutes. These can be played one at a time or all five at once. Players can be moved in and out of the game at any time. There is an unlimited amount of times players can be substituted.

There are no set positions in a field hockey game. They can arrange themselves in whatever way they believe will help them in the game. However, most teams use a formation similar to a football team. They use fullbacks for defense, halfbacks to play in the middle of the field and forwards to play in the frontline.

While it is not required, one player can be assigned to be the goaltender. She is the only player who is allowed to touch the ball with other parts of her body.

The goaltender is the most important position in field hockey. It is also one of the hardest since goaltenders have to move quickly to protect the goal and to block shots. A good goaltender gives her team the tactical advantage in a game.

However, a good goal tender does not help win the team alone. If the other team members are clueless in their offensive and defensive strategies, then the game is lost before it even begins. By having a formation in mind, the team members can play either good offense and defense.

Assuming that the team has at least eleven members, they can try a formation to handle both the offense and defense. Three fullbacks would play on their side of the field for the defense. Three forwards would play on the opponents side of the field for the offense. Four halfback would play the middle of the field to defend the opponents and to pass the ball to the forwards. That leaves the goalie who protects the goal.

The forward should be positioned towards the sidelines of the field. It is easy to lose possession of the ball by attacking through the middle of the formation. By positioning the forwards on the sidelines, they have better possession of the ball. Once they get into scoring position they can get a good shot on goal.

This formation allows the players quickly adapt to what is going on during the game. All it takes for it to be successful is to practice.