Resources and insights
News, insights, and resources to help grow your game as a Coach or Player.

Why the Best Players Start Strong: Pre-Season Habits That Set You Apart
As field hockey players prepare for another season, the pre-season period becomes a decisive time for setting the stage for success. With a focus on mental strength, players can adopt habits that enhance their performance and resilience throughout the competitive year. This blog explores the pre-season habits that distinguish top players by focusing on mental fortitude. Offering advice for players, strategic insights for coaches, and supportive guidance for parents, this comprehensive guide will help everyone involved make the most of this vital period.
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Repetitive Training Without Boredom: Keeping Field Hockey Practice Fresh
Repetitive training in field hockey is crucial for skill mastery but can become boring. To keep practices engaging, turn drills into games like relay races and point competitions. Use varied equipment, such as different balls and sticks, to introduce novelty. Create dynamic scenarios with obstacle courses and small-sided games that challenge adaptability. Incorporate mindfulness techniques like visualisation and involve players in planning and peer coaching. Provide regular feedback throughout sessions and celebrate achievements to foster a positive atmosphere. By blending repetition with creativity, coaches can ensure that players remain enthusiastic and motivated. Happy coaching!
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Muscle Activation During the Warm-Up: Get Your Game On!
Warming up is crucial to unlocking your best performance on the field. Just like revving a sports car engine, muscle activation prepares your body to perform at its peak. By raising your heart rate, increasing blood flow, and enhancing coordination, you’ll prevent injuries and improve your game. A solid warm-up includes light aerobic activity, dynamic stretches, and muscle-specific drills like squats and lunges. Don’t forget sport-specific activation, such as stick handling and passing drills. This routine sets the stage for success—activate those muscles and take on the game with confidence!
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Keeping Opponents Out of Your Head: Mastering Mental Strength on the Field
Mastering mental strength on the field is crucial for both players and coaches aiming to elevate performance. Hockey isn’t just a physical game; it’s a mental battle where opponents try to disrupt focus. To keep opponents out of your head, it's important to develop resilience and clarity. Start by establishing a pre-game routine, which could include visualisation, deep breathing, and self-affirmations to boost confidence. Stay present during the game by focusing on what you can control, like your positioning and communication with teammates. If distractions arise, practice self-talk control and engage with teammates to maintain focus. Setting boundaries is also key—confident body language and focusing on team goals can deter opponents from playing mind games. After the game, reflection through journaling or conversations with coaches can help identify what worked mentally. Incorporating mental drills into practice builds long-term mental strength, helping to prepare for high-pressure situations. Overall, mental strength is just as vital as physical skills in field hockey. By mastering these strategies, players can maintain focus and outsmart opponents, keeping them out of their heads and off their game.
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Why focus during training is important for athletes
Focus is crucial for hockey athletes during training as it enhances skill acquisition, builds confidence, and improves tactical awareness. Concentration enables players to master techniques through targeted practice, absorb immediate feedback, and visualise success, reducing anxiety. Furthermore, focused training fosters situational awareness, adaptability, and mental toughness, allowing athletes to handle distractions and maintain performance under pressure. By prioritising focus, players not only refine their abilities but also cultivate resilience and emotional control, setting the stage for continuous growth and success in competitive play. Ultimately, focus is essential for achieving both physical and mental excellence in hockey.
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