Quick answer
The best field hockey drills for kids aged roughly 7–12 are short, game-based and full of ball touches. Every child should have a ball and be moving most of the time, with no long lines. Focus on four basics: dribbling with the flat side of the stick, push passing, stopping the ball, and simple 1v1 play. Keep each drill to 5–8 minutes, turn drills into games with points, and finish every session with a small-sided game like 3v3 or 4v4. Keep the ball on the ground: no hitting or lifting at this age unless your coach and league allow it.
Key takeaways
- One ball per child whenever possible. Touches build skill.
- Short drills of 5–8 minutes keep attention high.
- Turn every drill into a game with points or a challenge.
- Teach push passing and dribbling before hitting.
- Small-sided games teach more than long drills.
What kids should learn at U8–U12
| Age group | Main focus |
|---|---|
| U8 (about 6–7) | Holding the stick correctly, moving with the ball, stopping it, having fun |
| U10 (about 8–9) | Open-stick dribbling, push pass, receiving on the forehand, first reverse stick touches |
| U12 (about 10–11) | Indian dribble, passing on the move, reverse stick receiving, simple elimination moves, basic positions |
Age groups and game formats differ between clubs and countries. Check your club's or league's rules for team sizes, field size and what is allowed.
Warm-up games
Traffic lights (5 minutes)
Every child dribbles freely inside a 15 × 15 m (50 × 50 ft) square. The coach calls "green" (dribble), "orange" (slow dribble), and "red" (stop the ball dead with the stick). Add "blue" for reverse stick dribbling with U10 and U12.
Body parts (5 minutes)
Kids dribble freely. The coach calls a body part, like "knee" or "elbow", and players stop the ball and touch that part. Great for U8 to practise stopping and keeping the head up.
Dribbling drills
Cone gates (6 minutes)
Set up 10 pairs of cones about 1 m (3 ft) apart around the area. Players dribble through as many gates as they can in 60 seconds. Repeat 4 times and try to beat the score.
Sharks and minnows (6 minutes)
Minnows dribble from one side of a 15 × 20 m (50 × 65 ft) area to the other. Two sharks without balls try to knock balls out. Caught minnows become sharks. Remind players: tackles with the stick on the ball only, no hacking.
Indian dribble race (U10–U12, 5 minutes)
Relay over 10 m (33 ft) using the Indian dribble. Keep teams of 3–4 so nobody waits long.
Passing and receiving drills
Pairs push passing (6 minutes)
Partners stand 5 m (16 ft) apart and push pass back and forth. Count clean passes in 1 minute. Older kids can move to 8 m (26 ft) and add reverse stick receiving.
Gate passing (6 minutes)
Pairs pass through a cone gate 1 m (3 ft) wide. Each pass through the gate scores a point. Make the gate narrower as they improve.
Pass and move (U12, 6 minutes)
Groups of three in a triangle, 6–8 m (20–26 ft) apart. Pass and then run to the cone you passed to. This teaches moving after the pass.
Small-sided games
- 3v3 to small goals: 20 × 15 m (65 × 50 ft), goals made of two cones. Lots of touches and decisions.
- 4v4 end-zone game: score by dribbling the ball into an end zone and stopping it.
- Four-goal game: each team defends two small goals. Players learn to look up and switch play.
Keep games to 4–6 minutes and rotate teams often.
A sample 60-minute session (U10)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0–10 min | Traffic lights and body parts |
| 10–22 min | Cone gates, sharks and minnows |
| 22–35 min | Pairs push passing, gate passing |
| 35–40 min | Drink break and quick coaching point |
| 40–58 min | 3v3 or 4v4 games |
| 58–60 min | Cool-down and one thing they learned |
Practising at home
Kids who want more touches can practise for 10–15 minutes at home on a flat floor or driveway. Keep it playful: dribble around shoes, push passes against a wall, and simple challenges with a timer.
Some families like a training aid that turns this into a game. The Skiller works with the free Field Hockey App, which calls colours and numbers so kids react while dribbling. The Skills Zone 360 gives a 165 × 165 cm (65 × 65 in) area of symbol tiles for footwork games. Neither is needed to get started: cones and a wall are fine.
Coaching tips for this age
- Explain in 30 seconds or less, then let them play.
- Praise effort and good habits, not just goals.
- Every child plays every position over a season.
- Make sure every child has shin guards and a mouthguard. Many US programs also require eye protection, so check your league's rules.
FAQ
What are good field hockey drills for 8-year-olds?
Simple, playful drills like traffic lights, cone gates and sharks and minnows, followed by 3v3 games. Every child should have a ball and be moving most of the time.
How long should a kids' field hockey practice be?
About 45–60 minutes for U8–U10 and 60–75 minutes for U12, with short drills and plenty of games.
Should young kids learn to hit the ball?
Push passing and dribbling come first. Hitting can be introduced carefully at U10–U12 on a pitch with supervision, depending on your club and league rules.
How do I keep kids engaged at practice?
Keep drills short, score points, avoid lines and finish with games. Kids stay focused when they are busy and having fun.
Can kids practise field hockey at home?
Yes. 10–15 minutes of dribbling and push passing against a wall a few times a week helps a lot. Keep the ball on the ground and away from windows.
Related articles
- Fun field hockey games for kids at home
- Field hockey skills by age: what to expect
- Small-sided games for field hockey
In the US? The Rebounder, Skiller and Skills Zone are also available on Amazon.
