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The Mechanics of Trapping & Pushing  x11
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| Planet Field Hockey |
January 29, 2001 
Peter D'Cruz
> Page Views 15157
All bad habits develop because the athlete repeats them over and over in practice. Therefore, for an athlete to execute his skills correctly in a game, he must develop good habits in practice. Good habits can be developed if we do them over and over again. So, the correct methods to execute a game skill must be repeated and reinforced every time an athlete practices.
Trapping & Pushing is a skill that is fundamental to field hockey and I consider it one skill, a possession skill. Field hockey is a team sport so retaining possession of the ball as a team is essential to success and enjoyment. During a game, a player will probably execute the trap and push together more than any other skill. 
Andrew Griffiths prepares to push
Developing the skill
In every drill that involves a trap and push, the athlete must execute the following steps:
- The head of the stick is on the ground, the athlete is in a crouched ready position and he is facing the play.
- The athlete moves his feet to receive the ball in a side-on position (right side) while keeping the head of the stick on the ground. Keeping the head of stick on the ground keeps you balanced and ensures your body mechanics remain consistent no matter how much you have to move.
- The stick is in an upright position and the left hand holding the top of the stick should be in line with the direction of the ball. The stick should be at an acute angle to the ground with the right hand firmly holding the stick half way down the stick or further down. The ball is trapped by the shaft of the stick in an upright body position.
The upright body position is critical to performing the next step. A crouched body position and a stick flat to the ground does not develop your trapping technique while moving which is how most trap receptions are done during a game. FIELD HOCKEY IS NOT A STATIONARY ACTIVITY.
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As soon as the ball is trapped, the athlete pulls the ball back into his feet and moves away from where he trapped it. Then, the athlete looks up to see where he must make a pass.
It is detrimental to do any extra dribbling with the ball as the athlete does not develop the good habit of looking up immediately after he is in possession of the ball and moving his feet to protect the ball.
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Pass the ball without slapping it (you should not hear the sound of the stick contacting the ball) and you should try to pass the ball just slightly off the ground. As soon as he makes the pass, the athlete does the following two things at the same time:
5.1 He looks off the ball to see what is around him by scanning with his eyes
5.2 He puts and keeps the head of his stick on the ground
Go back to Step 1
Conclusion
The coach should reinforce these steps during practice, however the player will develop his skills properly if he reinforces the mechanics of trapping & pushing on his own. So keep reviewing and repeating these steps so that it becomes a natural habit, a GOOD habit. 
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Comments on this article
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Reynold
02-04-2001 12:26 am
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I would like to know what the following two things are that are mentioned in step 5. I like the article overall, though.
[B]Editor:[/B]
We've just made that correction!
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Ed
02-22-2001 8:54 pm
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Just curious but,
Would keeping the head of your stick on the ground this much be detrimental to when you recieve the ball? Is it not better(especially as a forward) to recieve the ball on the head of the stick(not the shaft) and with the head slightly of the ground so you can move your stick faster.
When waiting to recieve the ball, say if your stick is on the ground on your forestick and the pass comes to your reverse(quickly) then wouldn't this decrease your chances of making the trap?
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Steve
03-07-2001 7:56 pm
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Ed, not if you have disguised your intended receive! Educate engaged players to recognise where you want the ball placed! Use the head of your stick to indicate left or right! team play and education of the same is paramount here!
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jeff
05-01-2001 4:24 pm
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I also think it is a good article, just one thought, would a player who knows what he is going to do with the ball before he receives it not have an advanatage over players who receive the ball then have to look up and use valueable seconds to now read what he is to pass the ball
thanks
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I wonder !
06-09-2001 7:12 am
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Unfortunately, I cannot view the picture of Andrew Griffiths. Are is eyes up or down during the push stroke ?
I would suggest that young players (especially beginners) are taught to push the ball looking at the player they are passing to (or where they are not passing to - disguise). To watch the ball is unnecessary as it should often be in contact with the stick, well ahead and within peripheral vision. Can you imagine looking at a basketball as you passed it ? Obviously the surface needs to be good and I assume most coaches are working on artifical turf. You will find that players give the ball away less with this 'eyes up' technique, as they can change their decision to pass at the last possible second when an opponent moves to intercept. Additionally, the split second wasted in preparing for the 'eyes down' technique gives opponents the chance to read and intercept. Give it a try, praise those that try it, soon you'll have players that can change the direction of a pass at the last moment and develop feel in weighting a pass.
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Malcolm
08-25-2001 11:44 pm
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Basketball
No offence mate but hockey is not basketball. You should teach kids to look up but then look down at the ball before pushing if they are looking at the player , the ball will not reach the man they want it too ..
I promise u that
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Chris Marriott
05-13-2002 7:24 am
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Don't forget to pre scan! After you have made eye contact with the passer, and he looks back at the ball to make the pass, you must take the opportunity to scan. Your first scan must be done before the ball arrives. This is vital because your first touch on the ball will be determined by what you intend to do next. If you haven't scanned befor the ball arrives, your first touch may be totally innappropriate. When you have pre-scanned, you can make your first touch, and just have a quick check scan to confirm the information that you gathered from your pre-scan. If the two pictures match, then you can make that next pass, or take the shot or dribble into the space that you identified from the pre-scan. Play head-up hockey!!
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Beginner
09-28-2004 10:21 am
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Passing and other stuff
I am having great difficulty passing the ball/getting enough speed on the ball to ensure it reaches my team mates. I usually just resort to slapping the ball to get it there. Any tips?
In addition, my right elbow is killing me. Any suggestions on reducing the shock associated with hitting the ball? It seems to have no give unlike other sports balls.
Last question. You know how you stop the ball on your right side with the shaft of the stick down...how do you stop it on your left - with the head?
Any other comments for a beginner would be useful.
Thanks :-)
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Louise
11-12-2004 3:16 am
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Where could i find pictures of the push pass for hockey?
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jess
01-15-2005 12:07 pm
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pictures 4 push pass
great resource to use is the bbc sports academy page
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