Learning Hockey:
Catch the opponent off guard with a quick wrong foot pass

While the push-pass is a common move during the game, there’s a variation of this technique when the player needs a quicker pass, that is, the wrong foot pass right and left. It is usually advisable only to be executed by those above 13 years of age. To pick up this field hockey skill, let’s start with the grip on the stick. This is the exact same as what is used for pushing the ball, with the left hand near the top of the handle and right hand midway through the stick.

The difference though is the foot with which one steps forward. Whereas the techniques covered till now involved stepping forward with the left leg, for this one it’s the exact opposite. While running with the ball, make a pass from right to left when your right foot is in front. This is the forward wrong foot pass.

There are two more versions. Make a pass from left to right by bringing the ball to your right, twisting your body around the ball, and stepping with your right foot forward for the pass. The final one is again a pass from the right to the left, but changing the direction of the ball suddenly at the last minute.

Why go to all this trouble to learn two types of passes? Sometimes, when the defender is coming straight at you, you need to be able to pass the ball quickly to a teammate. The wrong foot pass is an excellent way to catch your opponent off guard.

There’s a useful hockey drill to practise this pass. Place a target on the opposite side to where you’re running. On arriving at a marked spot on the ground, execute the wrong foot push pass aimed at the target. If you have a bunch of players practising with you, this can also be done in two groups, spaced 20 yards apart, after all have tried changing sides.

Now that you’ve got a fair understanding of the wrong foot pass, the next post will introduce the wrong foot hit right and left.