A new pattern is not yet a new learning problem
A different passing order can remain the same exercise. Meaningful variation changes what players perceive, decide and do.
Field and indoor practice research
A good practice starts
with a real game problem.
More exercises do not automatically mean more variety. We compare publicly available federation coaching material, examine what players actually have to solve and use that to design better practices.
01 · Method
Assess the practice, not just the drawing.
We read practical descriptions and manuals from KNHB, Hockey Australia, FIH and SA Hockey. Public information from England, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and Ireland helps compare approaches. An index or course page does not count as a reviewed exercise library.
For each form we compare objectives, roles, space, opposition, scoring, transitions, rotation and coaching questions. We distinguish an exercise, a harder version and an entire session. Foreign age labels do not automatically become Dutch age thresholds.
This is exploratory source and design research. The examples below are not newly approved library exercises. No effectiveness study or independent field validation has been carried out. We do not use restricted exercise libraries.
02 · Findings
Different rules invite different decisions.
Constraints must visibly affect play
Zones, multiple targets, changing overloads and clear release cues create different problems. The animation must show that difference.
Skill work and games complement each other
A measurable skill challenge has a different purpose from a game with decisions after losing possession. A varied library needs both.
Indoor hockey needs its own design
Floor, boards, passing angles and pressure change decisions. Adding boards around an outdoor practice does not make it a good indoor practice.
These are our design conclusions, not a ranking of proven best drills. The source examples make the differences concrete.
03 · Practice families
Differences that matter.
Brief analyses of public material. No reproduced diagrams or complete drill descriptions.
12 reviewed practice families
Changing neutral
FieldOne player always supports the team in possession.
Design implication: Show the changing role and every target, rather than just a circulating pass.
Source: KNHB [1]
Two zones and interceptors
FieldA corridor determines when a pass can cross.
Design implication: Draw the zones and show an unsuccessful crossing too.
Source: KNHB [2]
Asymmetric targets
FieldA regain changes both direction and scoring method.
Design implication: The animation needs two meaningful outcomes.
Source: KNHB [3]
Baseline timing
FieldAn occupancy rule prevents finishers from waiting in their zone.
Design implication: Make the zone and arrival timing visible.
Source: KNHB [4]
Receive before pursuit
FieldThe reception determines when defenders may start.
Design implication: Distinguish waiting and active players and show the release cue.
Source: KNHB [5]
Defend with a space constraint
FieldA ball-exclusion zone changes where the duel can happen.
Design implication: Technique has a recognisable tactical consequence.
Source: KNHB [6]
Call players into play
FieldA call determines who enters the next situation.
Design implication: Show entry, exit and short waiting time.
Source: Hockey Australia [7]
Play from assigned zones
FieldAssigned zones make players find connections.
Design implication: The spatial restriction must change the game.
Source: Hockey Australia [7]
Measurable skill challenge
FieldA time or accuracy score makes progress visible.
Design implication: Explain what is measured; an animation does not demonstrate skill.
Source: FIH Academy [8]
Receive from different directions
IndoorThe receiving direction changes the preparation required.
Design implication: Design a real indoor setup with suitable foot and stick positioning.
Source: FIH [10]
Indoor combination under pressure
IndoorDirect pass or board route
IndoorThe pressure position determines whether the board route is useful.
Design implication: A board is an option with a reason, not a decorative edge.
Source: FIH [17]
04 · Design
From source to usable practice.
Game problem
What is not working in the game, and which decision should the practice invite?
Playing area
Targets, zones, direction and distances must support the learning objective.
Roles and involvement
Specify active players, waiting players, goalkeepers, neutrals and rotations.
Success and transitions
Describe scoring, loss, regain, out-of-play and restart.
Specific coaching
Name observable behaviour specific to this problem.
Purposeful progression
Change the decision or opposition, rather than automatically changing only size.
Honest animation
Show the defining situation, including an alternative or failure.
Sources and rights
Distinguish an original design, an adaptation and a background reference.
First we develop a small, clearly varied series. Delivery, animation and field review follow. The number follows meaningful coverage; a harder variation does not automatically count as another exercise.
05 · Sources & rights
Public access is not free reuse.
All sources below were publicly consulted on the stated review date.
We retain original titles, creators, publishers and locations. We write our own summaries and link to the source. We have not established a general open reuse licence for this material and do not reproduce source images, videos or complete drills.
For adaptation or reproduction we assess the specific licence or permission separately, including translation and onward sharing. Attribution is not permission or federation endorsement. The status below records our check, not a full legal assessment.
- 01
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
Kameleonhockey
KNHB · Wedstrijdvorm
A neutral player changes allegiance with possession; multiple targets create a decision.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 02
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
Sloothockey
KNHB · Spelvorm: twee vakken met een tussenruimte
Separate playing zones and an interception corridor change the passing decision.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 03
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
Drie goalen spel
KNHB · Wedstrijdvorm
Teams have different targets: a large goal against two exits.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 04
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
In de bucket
KNHB · Wedstrijdvorm en bijbehorende spelvorm
A defined baseline zone and occupancy rule make timing essential.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 05
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
Race tegen de flats
KNHB · Eerste wedstrijdvorm
A deep reception triggers pursuing pressure.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 06
KNHB · Netherlands · Practice material
Block en jab
KNHB · Wedstrijdvorm
A ball-exclusion zone and different scoring methods give the defensive duel context.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 07
Hockey Australia · Australia · Manual
Hookin2Hockey Games Guide 2025 — Version 1.1
Hockey Australia · pp. 10, 17, 61–62
A junior guide with game cards, coaching questions and levels, including Number Hockey and Zone Hockey.
No open reuse licence established.
- 08
FIH Academy · International · Practice material
Start Hockey Skills Challenge
FIH Academy · Challenges 1–5
Five technical challenges with measurable scores and three levels; a different practice type from a game.
No open reuse licence established.
- 09
FIH · International · Framework
Indoor Coaching
FIH · Indoor receiving; playing the boards
Indoor coaching has dedicated receiving and board-play resources. Not every illustrated combination fits a single-ball animation.
Copyright notice; no open reuse licence established. Rights reference
- 10
FIH · International · Practice material
Indoor receiving
FIH · PDF pp. 1–3
Original indoor diagrams with different passing directions, organisations and receiving situations.
Copyright notice; no open reuse licence established. Rights reference
- 11
South African Hockey Association & KNHB · South Africa · Manual
Level 1 Coaches Hockey Manual
SAHA & KNHB; Frank Dikmoet, Gabrielle van Doorn, Gary Dolley, Jenny King, Thom Terwee (contributors) · pp. 1, 8–9 (PDF 2, 9–10)
Connects organisation, purposeful progression and technical observation. Historical teaching material, not current Dutch rules.
No open reuse licence established.
- 12
England Hockey · England · Framework
Small Sided Hockey
England Hockey · Small sided hockey
Small-sided games are a distinct format; numbers, targets and goalkeeper use follow the participants.
Source restricts reuse. Rights reference
- 13
Canterbury Hockey · New Zealand · Framework
Junior Coaching Handbook 2022
Canterbury Hockey · pp. 1–2
A regional Small Sticks implementation: development, participation and role rotation. Rules are specific to its date and location.
No open reuse licence established.
- 14
Field Hockey Canada · Canada · Public resource index
Community Coaching Toolkit
Field Hockey Canada · Coaching; Planning
Public entry point for game-based learning and session planning. A listed download is not proof that every file was reviewed.
No open reuse licence established.
- 15
Deutscher Hockey-Bund · Germany · Public resource index
Training — Praxisorientierte Trainingshilfen
Deutscher Hockey-Bund · Public training guidance
Only the public explanation was used. The subscription-based exercise library is outside this review.
No open reuse licence established.
- 16
Hockey Ireland · Ireland · Framework
Coach
Hockey Ireland · Coaching pathway
Describes technical and tactical learning through small games; no exercise library was copied.
No open reuse licence established.
- 17
FIH · International · Practice material
Playing with the boards
Heino Knuf · German Coaching Committee · I–III; FIH 1. Indoor Coaching Course
Practices connect board use to receiving direction, movement and opposition. The board route is not always the best option.
Copyright notice; no open reuse licence established. Rights reference