Passing, Receiving and the First Touch

In this edition we go back to basics - the first touch and passing.

Whether it be the start of the season or mid way through; for advanced or grass roots players, the first touch and the pass are of key importance to hockey.

With a good first touch, you can gain a metre of space, beat a player, make a pass, or set up to make an accurate and strong pass or shot.

Similarly with a good pass you can make space for the receiving player, move the defence out of position, cut the defence apart or simply build an attack.

The Pass

A good pass is one which enables the receiving player to do something productive with their first touch. Players should be reminded of this when they are practicing.

The receiving player should not have to think about controlling a bobbling ball, stretching for the ball, having to alter their run because the pass is too early or delayed, or having to move too far towards the ball for an underhit pass.

A pass should be:
* accurate
* of the correct pace; and
* well timed

Mastering these aspects of the pass should be built into every session, whether through simple drills purely concentrating on un-pressured passing, through to advanced conditioned games that require advanced passing under pressure of time and space and from other players.

Coaching Points:
* Use simple passing drills to warm up
* Encourage players to keep the pass simple and to think about how they would want
to receive the pass
* For the timing of the pass players should visualise what the receiving player is
going to want to do with the ball - what space they wish to attack, where the
next pass will go to - and make the pass accordingly to enable the receiving
player to do what they want to do with minimal effort.

Receiving a Pass and The First Touch

Before a player receives the ball they should know exactly what they want to do with it. This should include the space that they want to move the ball into with their first touch, where the next pass is going to go, or what space that they are going to exploit.

How to receive a pass:
* Know what you want to do with the ball before the pass is made.
* Make a run, whether a few steps or several metres to create space for you to
receive the ball in.
* Move towards the ball when the pass is made.
* Know where the defenders are around you before you / the ball meet.

The First Touch

By knowing what you want to do with the ball, and where the defenders are around you, you are in a position to move the ball into space with your first touch. The space may be to your left or right, in front of you or behind you.

The first touch of your stick on the ball should control the ball and at the same time move the ball in the direction where you have identified the space.

In the same motion, you should move your feet and body into position to be able to execute the skill that you intended, be it a pass, shot or driving into space.


Try this practice to develop accuracy of passing, awareness of the space, first touch, and subsequent pass.

Lets practise!