Quick answer
A slap hit is a long, low, sweeping hit where your hands stay apart on the stick, like in a push grip, and the stick travels close to the ground. Get low, place the ball out in front of your front foot, swing the stick back low and flat, and sweep through the ball with a long follow-through towards the target. It is quicker to play than a full hit and more powerful than a push, so it is used for longer passes and shots. Train it on the pitch, not indoors, and start with accuracy before power.
Key takeaways
- Hands apart, body low, stick close to the ground for the whole swing.
- The power comes from the legs and the turn of the body, not from a big backswing.
- The ball should be out in front and away from your feet.
- Follow through low towards the target to keep the ball on the ground.
- It is a pitch skill. At home, practise the body position without a ball.
Slap hit vs push vs hit
| Skill | Grip | Backswing | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push pass | Hands apart | None, stick starts on the ball | Short, quick, accurate passes |
| Slap hit | Hands apart | Short and low | Medium to long passes, shots, quick release |
| Hit | Hands together at the top | Bigger, higher | Longest, hardest passes and shots |
The slap hit sits between the push and the full hit. Its big advantage is speed: you don't need to change your grip, so you can go from dribbling to passing almost at once.
How to do a slap hit, step by step
- Grip. Left hand at the top of the stick, right hand lower down, the same as for dribbling or pushing. Some players slide the right hand a little further down for more control.
- Stance. Feet wider than shoulder width, knees well bent, body low. Your left shoulder points towards the target.
- Ball position. Out in front and slightly away from your body, around your front foot or a little ahead of it.
- Backswing. Take the stick back low and flat, close to the ground. It should not come up high behind you.
- Contact. Sweep the stick along the ground and strike the ball with the flat side, near the bottom of the stick. Move your weight from the back foot to the front foot as you strike.
- Follow-through. Keep the stick low and finish towards the target. A high finish often sends the ball up.
Common mistakes
- Standing too upright: the stick hits the ground behind the ball or tops it. Get lower.
- Ball too close: the swing gets cramped and loses power. Move the ball further out.
- Swinging with the arms only: little power. Turn the hips and shoulders and push off the back leg.
- Lifting the ball: usually from a high follow-through or an open stick face. Keep the finish low.
Drills on the pitch
Do these on a pitch or a large open area, with nobody in front of you, and wear the protective gear your club requires.
Drill 1: Shape without the ball (2 minutes)
Get into the low stance and make slow slap hit swings with no ball. Check that the stick stays close to the ground and that you finish low. This is also the only version to do at home, away from people and furniture.
Drill 2: Stationary slap hits (3 × 10)
Ball still, 10 m (33 ft) from a partner or a pair of cones 2 m (6.5 ft) apart. Focus on clean contact and keeping the ball on the ground. Count how many go through the gate.
Drill 3: Slap hit off the dribble (3 × 8)
Dribble forward for 5 m (16 ft), push the ball slightly out to your right and slap hit to a target 15 m (50 ft) away without stopping. This is how you will use it in a game.
Drill 4: Receive and slap hit (3 × 8, with a partner)
A partner pushes the ball to you from the side. Receive, set the ball out in front with one touch, and slap hit to a second target. Then try it with no setting touch, straight from the pass.
Drill 5: Slap hit to goal (3 × 6)
From the top of the circle, slap hit at goal with a goalkeeper or at targets. A Goal Target attaches six 42 × 42 cm (16.5 × 16.5 in) targets to the goal, so you can aim for the corners. Cones or bibs tied to the posts are a free option. Keep the shots low until your coach says otherwise.
Safety and rules
- Never practise slap hits indoors at home. Even a low hit is dangerous in a small space.
- In indoor hockey, hitting is generally not allowed and the ball is moved with pushes. Check your league's rules.
- On the pitch, dangerous play rules apply to raised balls and to swings near other players. Check your league's rules and listen to your coach.
- Use shin guards and a mouthguard, and make sure nobody stands in the line of the ball.
FAQ
What is a slap hit in field hockey?
A long, low, sweeping hit played with the hands apart on the stick. It is faster to play than a full hit and stronger than a push pass.
Is a slap hit the same as a sweep hit?
The names are often used for the same low, sweeping hit. Some coaches use sweep for a very flat version played close to the ground. Ask your coach which name your team uses.
When should I use a slap hit instead of a push?
Use it when the pass needs more distance or pace than a push can give, or for a quick shot. For short passes, the push is usually more accurate.
Can I practise the slap hit at home?
Only the body position and swing shape, without a ball, away from people and objects. Hitting a ball belongs on the pitch.
How do I get more power in my slap hit?
Get lower, put the ball further out in front, and transfer your weight from the back leg to the front leg. Power comes from the body, not a bigger backswing.
