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i
mpro
v
e
upgrade your
basics
part 1: ball carry and ‘blind’ push
We all know how important core skills are, they can be front our feet are pointing forward and we can run as we would
the difference between being a good player and a great normally.
player. It is estimated that you need to do a skill over 5,000 This position may feel strange at first, especially for those of us
times before it becomes second nature, so practice, practice, that have grown up playing on grass and being coached to
practice is the answer. In this new section Jon Williams (level shield the ball on our right foot, but with some practice you will
3 coach) shows us how to upgrade our basics. Some of us find it is so much easier to move with and move the ball.
will have been taught a core skill many years ago and as the
Tte V-grip
game has changed so have the way we perform these skills. the ‘Blind’ puSh paSS
Here we will look at the most up-to-date ways of performing It used to be a right hand skill, but now the push pass has
core skills. evolved. It now can be performed with the power of both arms,
much like a forward drive in cricket. It is essential we have a
Ball carrY poSition good one o’clock ball carry position to execute the ‘blind’ pass
A good ball carrying position is essential and will help you otherwise we will be inaccurate and mistakes will be made.
perform all other core skills So, what is the ‘blind’ pass? Well as its name suggests it is a push
to a higher level and with pass that is performed without looking at the ball when making
more ease. the pass; instead of looking down at the ball we have our eyes
A V-grip with the left up and can look the intended receiver in the eyes whilst making
hand allows us to get the the pass. What is the point? Well, by mastering this, we are
stick in the correct place more effective in scanning and communicating with our team
to execute a good ball mates, meaning we should complete more passes. Also when
carrying position. This will you look down at the ball to pass it is a very easy ‘tell’ sign for the
mean we can get the ball opposition. They know you are about to pass and therefore can
out in front of us and also
The V-grip
prepare for your next move, giving them the advantage.
allows us to raise our left The push should be executed off the right foot, this allows us
elbow to protect the ball to keep a good stride pattern when moving with the ball and
and give us greater power when performing skills. opens up our passing options. From this position we can pass
So where should we carry the ball? As a general rule we should to left or right without adjusting our body position which adds
try and move with another layer of disguise to our distribution.
the ball at one o’clock Try practising over five meters to start with and make sure you
(opposite our right keep your eyes up
foot), so it is out in front and the ball is in
of us and we can see the carry position
it in our peripheral so you can see it
vision even when our in your peripheral
head is up and we are vision. Once you have
scanning. When the mastered it over five
ball is in this position meters start moving
it allows us to pass the distance but
in all directions, lift remember accuracy
the ball and perform and ball speed are of
elimination skills. So as vital importance.
you can see already it Don’t forget all the
is very important. videos for these
‘Feet first’ is a term techniques are in the
you may have heard members’ area at
a lot of coaches www.pushhockey.co.uk
shouting and this is
having the ball in fr
ont makes
it easier t
true of the ball carry.
o move with the ball
a
ge 50
Why carry the ball to Next issue we look
P the side of us at 3 o’clock? We don’t at open and closed
run naturally in this position, however when the ball is out in reception.
Pushing off the
right foot

Push
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It’s possible to make eye contact while passing
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