Field Hockey
Strategy:
In field hockey, there are 6 major roles, 3 for offense and 3 for defense. The offense’s main job is to facilitate passes and keep the ball by creating space and repositioning so that passes won’t be blocked.
As for defense, their main job is to steal the ball by creating less space and cutting off passes between players. Spacial awareness is crucial to field hockey strategy.
“We talk about looking at the field first, and knowing where you’re going to pass,” girl’s field hockey head coach Tori Karsten said.
Practice:
Building player’s endurance is key to their success in field hockey. During both practices and pre-season players use interval training to build stamina. Interval training is a series of sprints and rests throughout allotted times. This helps athletes greatly improve. “Interval training is very much a field hockey game,” Karsten said.
Equipment:
Field hockey requires turf shoes and ‘candy-cane’ shaped sticks for actual gameplay and shin guards and mouth guards from field hockey sticks. While Field hockey is not considered a contact sport protection is still required to protect against both the field hockey stick and ball.
Lacrosse
Strategy:
(Kellen Ringland)
Girls’ lacrosse strategies are fast and precise. Offensive strategies include quick ball movements and accurate passes. One common strategy in girls’ lacrosse is the ‘Give and Go’, where players pass the ball and then instantly make space to make a return pass.
Defensive strategy is based on footwork and positioning. Girls’ lacrosse often uses man-to-man and zone defense to prevent the offense from passing and scoring.
“Lacrosse is more dynamic with fast transitions, using quick passes and movements to create scoring opportunities,” senior lacrosse attacker Grace Manning (#3) said.
Practice:
Lacrosse, like field hockey, trains for endurance, even running laps around the field. Practices can include scrimmages and other drills to help maximize success in games. Some drills are used to help with crosse control while others focus on practically defensive tactics.
Equipment:
In girl’s lacrosse, players are required to have eye goggles, a mouth guard, cleats, and a lacrosse stick. Lacrosse sticks, or crosses, have a string basket used for catching and passing the ball.
