Quick answer
An aerial pass is a lifted pass, usually made with a scoop or flick, that travels over defenders and lands in space for a teammate. To make one safely, learn it on the pitch, never at home, with a coach watching and a clear, empty landing zone. Place the ball slightly ahead of your front foot, open the stick face, get low and lift under the ball with a smooth upward follow-through. Start with short, low lifts of 5–10 m (16–33 ft) and only add distance once your technique is consistent. Aerials must never be played dangerously, and some youth and school competitions limit them, so check your league's rules.
Key takeaways
- Aerials are a pitch skill. No lifting at home, indoors or near people, cars or windows.
- Learn with a coach, a clear landing zone and nobody standing in the flight path.
- Technique first: ball ahead, stick face open, low body, lift under the ball.
- Receivers have protection under the rules when a lifted ball is falling. Opponents must give them space until the ball is under control.
- Rules on raised balls differ by competition and age group. Check your league's rules before using aerials in games.
When to use an aerial pass
An aerial is useful when the ground route is blocked: to switch play over a crowded midfield, to get out of a press from defence, or to find a fast forward running into space. It is a high-risk pass. A poor aerial gives the ball away and can be dangerous. Most passes in a game should still be on the ground.
Safety and rules first
- Dangerous play: a raised ball must not be played into or towards other players in a way that could hurt them. Umpires penalise dangerous aerials.
- The receiving space: when an aerial is coming down, the first player to receive it has the right to do so. Opponents must stay back a set distance until it is received and controlled on the ground. The exact rule wording and distance are in your competition rules.
- Youth and school play: some age groups and school competitions restrict lifted passes. Check your league's rules.
- Practice setup: use a clear area of the pitch, a coach supervising, and a receiver who is well away from anyone else. Players receiving aerials should wear a mouthguard and shin guards.
Technique: the scoop aerial step by step
- Ball position: slightly ahead and to the right of your front (left) foot.
- Grip: hands a little apart on the handle, stick laid back so the face opens to the sky.
- Body: low, knees bent, front shoulder pointing at the target.
- Contact: place the stick under the ball. Do not hit it. Lift and push through it in one smooth motion.
- Follow-through: up and towards the target, roughly at 45 degrees. The follow-through sets the height and distance.
- Watch the landing: aim for space in front of your teammate, not at them.
Practice progression (pitch only)
| Stage | Distance | Reps | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lift over a stick | 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) | 3 × 10 | Clear a stick lying on the ground, ball lands softly |
| 2. Short aerial to a zone | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) | 3 × 8 | Land inside a 3 × 3 m (10 × 10 ft) cone square |
| 3. Medium aerial | 15–25 m (16–27 yd) | 3 × 6 | Land in the zone, flight is controlled |
| 4. Aerial to a moving receiver | 20–35 m (22–38 yd) | 2 × 6 | Ball lands in space ahead of the runner |
Only move to the next stage when you land at least 7 out of 10 in the zone. Rest between sets, because tired technique gets wild.
Receiving an aerial
Receiving is a skill too, and it should be coached before players catch aerials at speed.
- Get under the flight early and stay balanced.
- Watch the ball all the way, eyes on it, stick ready.
- Use a soft stick, angled slightly forward, to take the pace off and bring the ball to the ground.
- Begin with short, gentle lifts from a coach, then increase height.
What you can practise at home
Nothing that lifts the ball. But the aerial starts with ground skills, and those you can build anywhere:
- Ball positioning: dribble, stop the ball dead just ahead of your front foot, and set your body as if to lift. 20 reps, no lifting.
- Receiving on the ground: push passes against a wall or Rebounder at 4 m (13 ft), focusing on a soft stick and a dead first touch. 3 × 1 minute.
- Head-up scanning: dribble and call out what you see, so you spot the space for an aerial in games. A Skiller with the free Field Hockey App adds colour and number calls.
Common mistakes
- Hitting at the ball: a hit that rises is dangerous. Aerials are lifted with a scoop or flick.
- Ball too far back: you can't get under it. Move it ahead of your front foot.
- No follow-through: the ball pops up short. Finish high, towards the target.
- Aiming at the receiver: land the ball in space, where they can run onto it.
FAQ
Is the aerial pass legal in field hockey?
Yes, in most competitions, as long as it is not dangerous. Some youth and school competitions limit raised balls, so check your league's rules.
Can I practise aerials in my garden?
Only if you have a large, completely clear space with nobody nearby and adult supervision. In most gardens and anywhere indoors, the answer is no. Practise on the pitch.
What is the difference between a scoop and a flick?
A scoop lifts the ball with the stick under it in a lifting motion. A flick is a push that raises the ball, often lower and faster. Both are lifting skills that need coaching.
How far should a beginner try to aerial?
Start with 5–10 m (16–33 ft) to a target zone. Distance comes from technique, not from swinging harder.
Do I need protective gear to practise aerials?
Yes. Wear a mouthguard and shin guards when practising, especially when receiving.
Related articles
- Slap hit vs push pass: when to use which
- How to receive the ball in field hockey
- Field hockey 3D skills for beginners
In the US? The Rebounder, Skiller and Skills Zone are also available on Amazon.
