Field Hockey · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.3
Defensive Principles
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 31 October 2026 · markdown
Without the ball, the KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide gives defending three phases: breakdown, then delay, then disrupting scoring opportunities. Breakdown means channelling and applying pressure far from a team's own goal, delay slows the attack, and the last phase covers blocking, tackling and defending the goal and rebounds. Players closest to the ball, on the ball side, mark very tightly, while players furthest from it provide cover defence on the help side, the non-ball side of the field.
Double defence means channelling the attacker onto a second defender: the high defender channels and the cover tackles. Cover is deep defensive support from a team-mate, ready if the first defender is beaten. Midfielders must make a defensive decision between man-on-man and zonal marking, and man-to-man is tightest. After a turnover, players must get behind the ball at once, because numbers behind the ball protect the goal. In the full press, play is forced preferably to the left side, which is normally easier to defend, and the closer the ball is to the goal, the tighter the marking. Strikers also defend from the front, and a defender can invite a pass to an apparently free player and then close quickly.
The facts below cover the phases without the ball, ball side and help side, double defence, cover defence, choosing a marking system, getting behind the ball after a turnover, channelling to the left, marking tighter 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
Far from your goal there is time and space to press, so the aim is to break the attack up early.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
Pressure rushes the passer, who may play a poor pass that the defence can intercept.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
Slowing the attack gives team-mates time to recover into position behind the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
Disrupt scoring opportunities: block, tackle, defend goal and rebounds.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
The block tackle puts the stick in the way of the ball or the shot close to goal.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
A shot that is saved or blocked can bounce free, and attackers waiting there can score from it.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
Steering the carrier towards a weak side limits options before pressure forces a mistake.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · recall
Win it high, slow it, then protect the goal.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied
The further up the field, the more the aim is pressure; the nearer your goal, the more it is blocking.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied
Pressing high in the opponents' half aims to force a mistake early, which is the breakdown phase.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey · applied
Test 2Ball side and help sideTake a test
Players on the far side from the ball are not under immediate threat, so they can cover the defenders nearer the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall
Close to the ball a pass can arrive quickly, so tight marking lets the defender step in front of it.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
Standing between opponent and goal lets a far-side defender help if the ball is switched.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
Defenders fairly tight, always on the ball side of the opponent.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
As the ball changes side, ball-side players become help-side and vice versa, so everyone moves.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall
Close to the ball an opponent can receive and turn quickly, so those defenders mark tightly.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall
With no direct threat, they can drop off to support defenders while keeping an eye on their opponent.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · recall
Tight near the ball, cover far away.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
The whole line slides with the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Positional changes · applied
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
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
The cover defender then tackles with the open front stick, the strongest tackle, as the attacker arrives.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall
The sweeper plays behind, sees the whole play and organises the defenders into pairs.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
By outnumbering the attacker two against one, the defence can win the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Defensive teamwork, double defence, appears in Phase 2 of the oldest step.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Phase 2 · recall
The full press forces the opposition to run into double defence or tackles.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
The open stick side gives the strongest tackle.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The first defender closes the space and steers the attacker, and the cover defender steps in to win the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall
The high defender channels; the cover tackles.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied
One defender shows the attacker towards a waiting second defender, which is double defence.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied
Test 4Cover defenceTake a test
The cover defender stands deeper than the first defender, ready to deal with an attacker who beats them.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall
Cover means the next defender is ready if the first is beaten.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Defenders on the far side from the ball are free to drop in behind the one marking.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side · recall
Cover sits deeper, between the action and the goal.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
An important task of the free defender is backup cover.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eight-a-side · recall
Marking alone leaves a beaten defender with no help; cover ensures someone is always behind.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
With a sweeper behind, the defenders always have cover.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 1 · recall
The first defender applies pressure; if beaten, the player who dropped behind recovers the situation.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall
Pressure in front, cover behind, the keeper last.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary · recall
Dark 6 is deeper than and inside dark 3, so if dark 3 is beaten dark 6 is ready.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied
Test 5Choosing a marking systemTake a test
Midfielders must make a defensive decision: man-on-man or zonal.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall
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
Zone defence forces the opposition to take risks out the back.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
Without cover, a lost duel frees an attacker.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 1 · recall
Attackers look for the seams between zones.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Tight marking denies the dangerous player the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall
Having more defenders than attackers in an area helps win the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall
A man-to-man marker follows one player everywhere, whereas a zonal marker guards an area.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · recall
A zonal defender stays in the zone, takes the runner while in it and hands over at the edge.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied
Each defender sticks to a single attacker rather than guarding an area, which is man-to-man marking.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic terms in defence · applied
Test 6Behind the ball after a turnoverTake a test
Dropping back quickly puts the midfielder between the ball and the goal before the opponents can counter.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Without the ball they are far from goal, so they must run back quickly to rebuild the defence.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Strikers are highest up the field, so they drop back to add defenders when the ball is lost.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
More players between ball and goal makes it harder for the opponents to find space.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A single misplaced pass or tackle can swing possession, so players must be ready at all times.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall
They anticipate where the ball may be lost and are already moving back.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders · recall
In small games players practise switching quickly between attacking and defending when possession changes.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side · recall
The nearest player slows the opponent while the rest sprint back, then the team forms its defensive shape.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Those highest up have the furthest to go.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Midfielders are far from their goal, so they must sprint back behind the ball to protect it.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · applied
Test 7Channelling to the leftTake a test
Play is forced preferably to the left side, which is normally easier to defend.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
Pushing play left keeps the attackers on their weaker reverse stick side.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
The centre striker steers the attackers left and closes the right, so the only way out is the weaker side.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
On the left the attacker uses the weaker reverse stick.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The side-line limits the attacker's options like an extra defender.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
Cutting off the way back traps the carrier against the side-line.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
Pinned near the side-line, the attacker has fewer ways forward.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Blocking the right closes the escape, showing left steers the carrier, and squeezing at the side-line lets the defence win the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
The side is easiest, the circle hardest.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · recall
The open left is the invitation: the defence closes the right so the carrier can only go left, towards the side-line.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press · applied
Test 8Tighter near the circleTake a test
Near goal one error means a shot, so defenders give attackers less room.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
Close to goal defenders must contest every pass rather than wait for it.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
It allows defenders to intercept passes ahead of the receiving player.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
Feet and shoulders perpendicular to the line of pass.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important · recall
With feet and shoulders at right angles the defender can turn the head to see both and react.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Important · recall
A goal-side position means that even if the pass gets through, the attacker still has to get past the defender to shoot.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules · recall
Attackers gather just in front of the goal, so marking there is tightest.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
Tighter the nearer the goal.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defending outside the circle · recall
Defenders mark closer to the ball and to the goal, while keeping both the ball and the receiver in sight.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules · recall
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
By pressing the opposition's front and midfield lines, strikers disrupt its build-up.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
A reverse press gives the passer no time, so errors follow.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
Closing the space and steering them to one side takes away their passing options.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
The left striker presses on that flank, limiting the opponents' right half.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks · recall
If the ball is won high up, the circle is close, so a chance comes quickly.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Strikers who fall back add numbers behind the ball when the team is under pressure.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
Pressure on rushed passers produces errors.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
Pressure makes the defender hurry, steering limits where the ball goes, and cutting the back pass leaves no escape.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · recall
Press high, then delay, then recover.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · applied
The striker is the front line, so pressing the defenders is defending from the front.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers · applied
Test 10Fake spaceTake a test
A defender allows more space, encouraging the pass to the 'open' player.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall
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
In the ball-in-centre situation and similar ones.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall
Closing quickly after inviting the pass is everything.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Too slow, and the open player really is open.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
If the receiver is not won at once, the defender can steer them to a team-mate for double defence.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall
The pass looks safe, so it is played.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The apparently free receiver tempts the pass, and a quick step across wins the ball.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · recall
The defender starts apart to look harmless, then closes fast as the ball is played.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · applied
Standing off but ready to sprint is the bait of fake space, inviting a pass to light 8.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Ball in the centre · applied
Questions people ask
- What are the phases of play without the ball?
- Breakdown, then delay, then disrupting scoring opportunities. In short: win it high, slow it, then protect the goal.
- What is the difference between ball side and help side?
- Help side is the non-ball side of the field. Marking on the ball side is tight and allows intercepts, while far-side marking is goal side and allows cover defence.
- What is double defence?
- It is channelling the attacker onto a second defender. The high defender channels and the cover defender tackles, onto the front stick side of the supportive cover defender.
- What does cover defence mean?
- Cover is deep defensive support from a team-mate. It means the next defender is ready if the first is beaten, and it sits deeper, between the action and the goal.
- What choice do midfielders face when marking?
- They must choose between man-on-man and zonal marking. In a zone the defender picks up any player or ball that passes through it, while man-to-man means following one opponent wherever they go.
- Why is play channelled to the left?
- Play is forced preferably to the left side, which is normally easier to defend. On the left the attacker uses the weaker reverse stick, and near the side-line the attacker has fewer ways forward.
- How tight should marking be near the circle?
- The closer the ball is to the goal, the tighter the marking. Attackers gather just in front of the goal, so marking there is tightest.
- What is fake space?
- It is inviting a pass to an apparently free player. As the pass is made the defender steps to intercept, tackle or set up double defence, and closing quickly after inviting the pass is everything.
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