Hockey coaching resources
Fast, skilful field sport played under FIH rules, with modified formats for junior grades.
Hockey at a glance
- Players on field
- 11 per side (senior, full field)
- Match format
- 4 × 15 min quarters (FIH)
- Field size
- 91.4m × 55m (full field)
- Junior formats
- 6v6 / 7v7 on modified fields
Based on the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Rules of Hockey, as adopted by Hockey NZ and Hockey Australia. Junior grades (Mini Sticks, Kiwi Sticks, Kwik Sticks) use smaller sides, fields, and modified rules — see your association's junior guide.
Positions
- Goalkeeper (GK) — Protect the goal and organise the defence. Key skills include reflex saves, positioning, communication, and courage.
- Left & Right Backs (LB / RB) — Defend wide channels, mark opposition attackers, provide passing options, and support midfield overlaps.
- Centre Back / Sweeper (CB) — Defensive leader. Organise the defensive line, cover teammates, win tackles, and start counter-attacks.
- Defensive Midfielder (DM) — Protect the defence. Break up opposition attacks, intercept passes, and control the tempo.
See all 9 hockey positions explained, including where each one is allowed to go and whether junior players should specialise.
Reference and tools
Rules of the game
Formats, scoring, fouls, key terms and junior game durations by school year level.
Positions explained
Every position, what it does, and the areas of the field it covers.
Free rotation tools
Rotation and lineup generators for netball, football and basketball — the same fairness logic applies to hockey.
Drills, session plans and season programmes
The hockey coaching library — age-appropriate drills with setup and coaching points, ready-made session plans, and week-by-week season programmes — is part of Squaddie rather than free reference material. Your first team is free forever, so it costs nothing to look.
Year 3–4 Mini Sticks
Ages 7–8
6v6 / 7v7 modified field. Focuses on stick safety, dribbling, and safety rules.
Year 5–6 Kiwi Sticks
Ages 9–10
6v6 modified field. Introduces positions, team shape, passing support, and pressure.
Year 7–8 Kwik Sticks
Ages 11–12
7v7 half field. Emphasises positional roles, build-up, switching, and corner setups.
Secondary Hockey (Year 9–13)
Ages 13–18
11v11 full field. Tactical hockey, pressing zones, build-up, and match performance.
Related
Hockey rules
Formats, positions, timing and the junior variations, with the governing bodies they come from.
Hockey positions explained
What each position does on the court or field, and where players are allowed to go.
Hockey team management app
How Squaddie handles lineups, rotations and playing time for hockey teams.
Coach hockey? Start free.
Fair lineups and rotation tracking, plus the full hockey drills library, session plans and season programmes.
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