Why do so many hockey players hang on to the ball too long?

11 May 2010

THE One-Two Hockey Viewpoint April edition by South Africa's Steve Jaspan, FIH Executive Board member and Chairman of the new FIH High Performance Committee. (JC)

One-Two Hockey Viewpoint
by STEVE JASPAN

I was enthralled by the 2-leg quarter final of the European Champions League between Arsenal and Barcelona.
Both sides play beautiful flowing football but it was the magic of Barca that held me spellbound.

They play one-touch soccer, with superb basic skills. You can only play this type of football if your basics are top class.
It is not only the accuracy and imagination or vision of that passing but the “give and go” approach.
Lay off a pass and immediately move into a gap to receive a return pass.
So each player has a minimum of 2 passes but generally 3 or 4 when he receives the ball!

This is such a basic and abject lesson for all who play team ball games, whether hockey, basketball, etc.
Even in rugby – giving the pass early and quickly invariably does the trick, and immediately filtering into a gap or providing support at the ensuing ruck or mall.

Good firm quick passing to the receiver – a simple but incredibly effective thing - the basis of match-winning play.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that the ball travels faster than your feet, so how come so many players, especially in hockey cannot absorb this?

Lionel Messi, World Footballer of the Year, - the man with the quickest feet on the planet – epitomizes these important basic skills.

But the question is why so many sportspersons – young and old have not grasped this basic tenet!
Why do so many players hang on to the ball too long?
Is it selfishness, an attempt to impress the selectors, playing for the crowds or just poor decision-making?

A great player knows when to use his or her individual skills, and great players shine more brightly in teams that play as a cohesive, unselfish unit.


 

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