Quick answer
The best Christmas gift for a field hockey player is one that gets them more touches on the ball between team practices. For a small gift, a Skiller covers ball control and reaction work in a hallway. In the middle range, a Rebounder is a passing partner that never gets tired. For a big gift, a training kit with flooring turns a garage or patio into a home training area. Before you buy, check the space the player actually has at home. That matters more than the budget.
Key takeaways
- Pick the gift by the skill the player wants to improve: ball control, passing or shooting.
- Measure the space first. Most aids need a flat strip of about 2–4 m (6–13 ft).
- A stick or ball is a poor surprise gift. Players are picky about bow, length and weight.
- Training aids work best when they come with a simple plan: 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times a week.
- Kits are better value than single products only if the player will use every part.
Before you buy: three questions
I get asked about gifts every December, and the answer always starts with the same three questions.
- What does the player want to get better at? Ask their coach or just ask the player. "My first touch is bad" points to passing and receiving. "I lose the ball in 1v1s" points to ball control.
- Where will they train? A bedroom floor, a garage, a driveway and a garden are very different spaces. Hard floors need protection; grass is too slow for real ball work.
- How often will they really use it? A small tool used daily beats a big setup that comes out twice a month.
Small gift: the Skiller
The Skiller is a set of five connected ribs, each 39 cm (15 in), with coloured and numbered markings. Total length is 159 cm (about 5 ft 3 in). The player dribbles the ball through and around it, and you can set it at different angles to change the drill. It works with the free Field Hockey App, which calls colours and numbers so the player has to react instead of running a fixed pattern.
Good for: close control, Indian dribble, reverse stick touches, keeping the head up.
Honest limits: it trains ball control only, not passing or shooting. On a slippery wooden floor the ball runs fast, and on carpet it barely rolls, so a smooth hard floor or flooring tiles work best.
Mid-range gift: Rebounder or Goal Target
Rebounder: for passing and receiving
The Rebounder is 59 cm (23 in) wide and sends the ball straight back after every pass. It is double-sided, so you can turn it around and work on the backhand side too. This is the gift for a player whose coach keeps saying "first touch". You can do hundreds of push passes and receptions in 15 minutes, which is more than most players get in a whole team practice.
Honest limits: a solid brick wall also returns the ball, for free. The Rebounder is worth it when there is no suitable wall, when the wall is the neighbour's, or when you want consistent returns indoors. It needs a flat, stable surface.
Goal Target: for shooting accuracy
The Goal Target is a set of six targets (42 × 42 cm / 16.5 × 16.5 in each) that attach to a field hockey goal at any height. It turns "hit it into the goal" into "hit the bottom left corner".
Honest limits: you need a goal. If the player doesn't have one at home and can't take the targets to the club, skip this one.
Big gift: a home training setup
If the player is serious and you have the space, a kit is the most complete option:
| Kit | What's inside | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Training Kit | Rebounder, Skills Zone, Skiller | All-round home training in a small space |
| Passing Kit | Rebounder + 36 flooring tiles (4 m² / 43 ft²) | Passing work on a smooth, consistent surface |
| Training Zone for Professionals | 90 flooring tiles, 2 Rebounders, Skiller, Skills Zone 360, Goal Target (goal not included) | Clubs, academies, families with a dedicated room or garage |
Honest limits: the professional zone needs about 10 m² (108 ft²) of floor for the tiles alone. Measure first. For most families, the Training Kit or the Passing Kit is the sensible ceiling.
What not to buy as a surprise
- A stick. Length, bow (low, mid or pro), weight and toe shape are personal. If you want to give a stick, give a voucher and go to the shop together.
- Shin guards or a mouthguard. Fit matters for safety, so the player should try them on.
- Goalkeeping gear. Always fitted in person.
Make the gift actually get used
Wrap a short plan with the present. Something like: "15 minutes, Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5 minutes Skiller, 10 minutes Rebounder." A gift with a plan gets used in January. A gift without one often stays in the box until spring.
For ideas, see our 20-minute winter routine at home.
FAQ
What is a good gift for a field hockey player who has everything?
A training aid that adds more ball touches at home, such as a Rebounder for passing or a Skiller for ball control. Most players have match gear but no way to practise alone.
Is a Rebounder better than a wall?
Not always. A solid wall works fine if you have one. A Rebounder is better indoors, on tiles, or when there is no wall you are allowed to hit.
What age is the Skiller suitable for?
Any age that can dribble a ball. Younger players start with slow touches through the ribs; older players add the app and reverse stick work.
Do I need flooring tiles?
Only if the floor is too rough (concrete, driveway), too soft (carpet) or needs protection from the stick. On a smooth hard floor you can start without them.
Related articles
- Christmas gifts for field hockey kids (ages 6–16)
- Field hockey off-season training plan
- Best way to improve your hockey passing skills
In the US? The Rebounder, Skiller and Skills Zone are also available on Amazon.
