Quick answer
To improve reverse stick dribbling, turn the stick over with your left hand so the face points left, keep your right hand loose, and carry the ball slightly ahead and to the left of your left foot. Practise in short blocks: straight-line reverse dribbles, reverse-only slaloms, and forehand-to-reverse switches through cones. Start slow with the ball close, then add speed and head-up calls. 10 minutes a day, 4–5 days a week, makes a clear difference within a month. All of these drills work at home on a flat floor.
Key takeaways
- The left hand turns the stick. The right hand only guides and should stay relaxed.
- Keep the ball ahead of your feet and on the left side for pure reverse dribbling.
- Bend your knees and stay low. Standing tall makes the reverse stick clumsy.
- Start slow and clean, then speed up. Speed with a loose ball teaches bad habits.
- Practise reverse stick in every session, not just once a week.
Why the reverse stick matters
Players who only dribble on the forehand are easy to defend: the defender just closes off the right side. A confident reverse stick lets you carry the ball down the left, protect it from a defender on your right, and change direction without slowing down. It is also the base for the Indian dribble, V-drags and many eliminations.
Technique checklist
- Grip: left hand at the top, right hand lower down. To go to the reverse, rotate the stick with your left hand so the toe points down and the flat face points left.
- Right hand: loose enough that the stick turns inside it.
- Ball position: in front and slightly left, about an arm's length ahead.
- Body: knees bent, back flatter, eyes up as often as possible.
- Touches: small, frequent taps keep the ball close. Big pushes lose it.
Reverse stick dribbling drills
You need a flat area of at least 2 × 5 m (6.5 × 16 ft), a ball and 6 cones. Smooth concrete, a hall floor or flooring tiles all work.
1. Reverse line dribble (2 minutes)
Dribble 5 m (16 ft) in a straight line on the reverse stick only, turn, and come back. Keep the ball within 30 cm (1 ft) of the stick. 4 lengths slow, 4 lengths faster.
2. Reverse-only slalom (3 minutes)
Place 6 cones in a line, 1 m (3 ft) apart. Dribble through on the reverse stick only, pulling the ball left around each cone. 3 runs each direction, rest 20 seconds between runs.
3. Forehand-reverse switch (3 minutes)
Same cones. Go round one cone on the forehand, the next on the reverse. This is a wide Indian dribble on the move. Focus on turning the stick quickly with the left hand. 3 × 45 seconds.
4. Reverse stick circle (2 minutes)
Dribble anticlockwise around a cone in a circle of about 1.5 m (5 ft), keeping the ball on the reverse the whole time. 30 seconds, then switch to clockwise on the forehand. Repeat twice.
5. Head-up reverse dribble (2–3 minutes)
Dribble on the reverse while someone holds up fingers or calls colours, and say the answer out loud. A Skiller works well here: dribble around it and react to colour and number calls from the free Field Hockey App.
6. Reverse pull and go (2 minutes)
Dribble forward on the forehand, pull the ball across to the left onto the reverse, and accelerate 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) on the reverse. 8 reps, then rest.
A 15-minute reverse stick session
| Time | Drill | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 min | Easy touches, forehand and reverse | Loose right hand |
| 2–4 min | Reverse line dribble | Ball close |
| 4–7 min | Reverse-only slalom | Low body |
| 7–10 min | Forehand-reverse switch | Fast stick turn |
| 10–13 min | Head-up reverse dribble | Eyes up |
| 13–15 min | Timed slalom challenge | Beat your best time |
For more variety, a Skills Zone gives you a set tile area for dribbling patterns and quick changes of direction.
Common mistakes
- Gripping hard with the right hand: the stick can't rotate. Relax it.
- Ball too close to the feet: you have no space to move it. Push it further ahead.
- Standing up straight: the stick angle gets awkward. Bend the knees.
- Only practising on the forehand: do at least a third of your dribbling on the reverse.
Honest notes
Cones and a flat floor are enough for every drill here. Training aids add variety and reaction work. On a real pitch, practise the same drills on turf too, because the ball runs differently than on smooth floors.
FAQ
How do I get better at reverse stick dribbling?
Practise it every session with slow, close-control drills first, then add speed and head-up work. Ten minutes a day is enough to see progress within a few weeks.
Which hand does the work on the reverse stick?
The left hand at the top of the stick turns it. The right hand stays loose and guides.
Why does the ball keep running away from my reverse stick?
Usually because the touches are too big, the right hand is too tight, or the body is too upright. Use small taps, relax the right hand and bend your knees.
Can I practise reverse stick dribbling indoors?
Yes. It needs only a small flat space and the ball stays on the floor, so it is safe indoors.
Related articles
- Indian dribble: step-by-step guide and drills
- How to do a V-drag in field hockey
- How to improve ball control in field hockey
In the US? The Rebounder, Skiller and Skills Zone are also available on Amazon.
