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Field Hockey · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.3

Defensive Principles

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown

The phases of play without the ball, ball side and help side, double and cover defence, choosing how to mark, getting behind the ball, channelling to the left, marking near the circle, strikers who defend and fake space.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1The phases without the ballTake a test

  1. Without the ball: breakdown, then delay, then disrupt scoring.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  2. Apply pressure to force a faulty or risky pass or play.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  3. Delay: slow down the attack.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  4. Disrupt scoring opportunities: block, tackle, defend goal and rebounds.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  5. Block tackle, defend the goal, defend rebounds.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  6. Defend rebounds belongs to the last phase.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  7. Breakdown: channel and apply pressure.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall

  8. Win it high, slow it, then protect the goal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied

  9. Pressure, delay, block.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied

  10. Pressure far from your own goal: breakdown.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied

Test 2Ball side and help sideTake a test

  1. Help side: the non-ball side of the field.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall

  2. Marking on the side of the ball is tight and allows intercepts.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  3. Far-side marking is goal side and allows cover defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  4. Defenders fairly tight, always on the ball side of the opponent.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  5. Positional changes take place when the ball is switched.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall

  6. Players closest to the ball, ball side, mark very tightly.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall

  7. Players furthest from the ball provide cover defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall

  8. Tight near the ball, cover far away.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  9. The whole line slides with the ball.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · applied

  10. Away from the ball, the defender drops goal side to cover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · applied

Test 3Double defenceTake a test

  1. Defensive teamwork: the high defender channels onto the front stick of the cover defender.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  2. Channel the attacker onto the front stick side of the supportive cover defender.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  3. The sweeper sets up double defence to force turnovers.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  4. To force turnovers.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  5. Defensive teamwork, double defence, appears in Phase 2 of the oldest step.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Phase 2 · recall

  6. The full press forces the opposition to run into double defence or tackles.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  7. The open stick side gives the strongest tackle.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  8. Close, show, step, win.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  9. The high defender channels; the cover tackles.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied

  10. Channelling the attacker onto a second defender: double defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied

Test 4Cover defenceTake a test

  1. Cover defence: deep defensive support from a team-mate.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  2. Cover means the next defender is ready if the first is beaten.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  3. Both systems ensure cover from the non-ball side defenders.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side · recall

  4. Cover sits deeper, between the action and the goal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. An important task of the free defender is backup cover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eight-a-side · recall

  6. The marking system must also allow for cover at all times.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  7. With a sweeper behind, the defenders always have cover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 1 · recall

  8. Pressure, cover, break, rescue.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall

  9. Pressure in front, cover behind, the keeper last.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall

  10. A deeper team-mate behind the first defender gives cover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied

Test 5Choosing a marking systemTake a test

  1. Midfielders must make a defensive decision: man-on-man or zonal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall

  2. The defender defends a zone and picks up any player or ball that passes through it.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  3. Zone defence forces the opposition to take risks out the back.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  4. Without cover, a lost duel frees an attacker.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 1 · recall

  5. Attackers look for the seams between zones.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  6. Eliminating key opposition players through tight defensive marking.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall

  7. Defensively overloading the opposition.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall

  8. Man-to-man is tightest.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall

  9. Hold, pick up, pass on.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied

  10. Following one opponent wherever they go: man-to-man.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied

Test 6Behind the ball after a turnoverTake a test

  1. The centre midfielder drops back as soon as possible after a turnover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  2. Wide midfielders recover at once when the ball is lost.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  3. Falling back to own half to get numbers behind the ball.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  4. Numbers behind the ball protect the goal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Turnover of the ball can be unexpected; players need good reactions.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall

  6. Experienced players see a turnover coming sooner.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall

  7. Players learn to react tactically as possession changes.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side · recall

  8. Lose, press, recover, organise.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  9. Those highest up have the furthest to go.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  10. After a turnover, get behind the ball at once.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · applied

Test 7Channelling to the leftTake a test

  1. Play is forced preferably to the left side, which is normally easier to defend.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  2. Concentrate on channelling the opposition attack left.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  3. Force the opposition left and block play to the right.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  4. On the left the attacker uses the weaker reverse stick.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Play is forced to the side of the field.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  6. One striker cuts off the ball back to the middle.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  7. Pinned near the side-line, the attacker has fewer ways forward.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  8. Block, show, squeeze, win.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  9. The side is easiest, the circle hardest.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall

  10. Blocking the right and showing the left channels play left.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · applied

Test 8Tighter near the circleTake a test

  1. The closer the ball is to the goal, the tighter the marking.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  2. It must also be aggressive.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  3. It allows defenders to intercept passes ahead of the receiving player.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  4. Feet and shoulders perpendicular to the line of pass.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important · recall

  5. To have the ball and receiving player in the field of vision.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important · recall

  6. Ensure that if an attacker receives, defenders are between ball and goal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules · recall

  7. Attackers gather just in front of the goal, so marking there is tightest.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  8. Tighter the nearer the goal.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall

  9. Three of the basic rules.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules · recall

  10. Side-on to the pass line keeps ball and receiver in view.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important · applied

Test 9Strikers who defendTake a test

  1. Disrupt the opposition's attacking lines.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  2. Quick reverse press: pressure on opposition defenders and midfielders.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  3. Close down and channel opposition defenders.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  4. Close down the attacking space of the opposition right half, channel and delay.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall

  5. Winning the ball high leaves little distance to the circle.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  6. Strikers also recover into their own half when needed.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  7. Pressure on rushed passers produces errors.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  8. Press, steer, cut, win.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall

  9. Press high, then delay, then recover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · applied

  10. Strikers close down defenders: defending from the front.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · applied

Test 10Fake spaceTake a test

  1. A defender allows more space, encouraging the pass to the 'open' player.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall

  2. As the pass is made, the defender steps to intercept, tackle or set up double defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall

  3. In the ball-in-centre situation and similar ones.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall

  4. Closing quickly after inviting the pass is everything.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Too slow, and the open player really is open.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  6. Stepping in can set up a double defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall

  7. The pass looks safe, so it is played.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  8. Invite, pass, step, win.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall

  9. Far, closing, there.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · applied

  10. Inviting a pass to an apparently free player: fake space.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · applied

Sources

KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, USA Field Hockey 101, NFHCA notes, FIH history and official results; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Field Hockey - Rules of Hockey).

  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence11
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks11
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide11
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey10
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle10
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers10
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press7
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre7
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders5
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes4
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary3
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important3
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 12
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Phase 21
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eight-a-side1