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Field Hockey · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.2

Midfield and Transition

10 tests · 99 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown

What midfielders do in attack and in defence, reading turnovers, switching from defence to attack and back, the centre midfielder as the pivot, and keeping the team's shape when the ball changes hands.

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 1Linking the linesTake a test

  1. Midfielders link the defence line to the striker line.

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

  2. Midfield leads give defenders clear lines to pass along.

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

  3. The central midfielder serves as the pivot.

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

  4. Early leads give the defence a safe outlet.

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

  5. Responsible for good connecting passes to the striker line.

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

  6. The triangle gives depth and two options.

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

  7. Without midfield links, the team has to gamble on long balls.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  8. Win, show, receive, release.

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

  9. Back, middle, front.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eleven-a-side · applied

  10. The midfielder offers the link between defence and attack.

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

Test 2Connecting passes to strikersTake a test

  1. Deep supporting leads to players in the striker line.

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

  2. A good connecting pass reaches the striker in a usable way.

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

  3. Receive on the front stick side whenever possible.

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

  4. Lose the opposition marker to become open.

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

  5. Forwards bounce the ball back to a midfield player.

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

  6. Full vision lets the passer see the leads.

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

  7. Assist forward attacking tactics.

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

  8. Lead, see, pass, follow.

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

  9. Front stick in space is safest.

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

  10. Midfield to striker: a connecting pass.

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

Test 3Penetrating runsTake a test

  1. Make penetrating attacking runs into the space created by the high players.

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

  2. Strikers lead to create space for team-mates.

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

  3. Can add width to attacks on the sides of the field.

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

  4. Late runners arrive unmarked behind the strikers.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Runs forward need cover behind.

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

  6. Penetrate the opposition's defensive line.

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

  7. Timing makes the run hard to track.

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

  8. Create, run, feed, finish.

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

  9. Wait, time, go, get.

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

  10. A run from deep into created space.

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

Test 4Defending space after a clearanceTake a test

  1. Responsible for spatial defence between the strikers when the opposition clears.

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

  2. Spatial defence intercepts the next pass.

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

  3. Must make a defensive decision: man-on-man or zonal.

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

  4. Winning it in midfield keeps danger away.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. A loose clearance can be intercepted for a second attack.

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

  6. A quick second attack meets a disorganised defence.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary (counter-attack) · recall

  7. Strikers cut parts of the field with zonal marking.

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

  8. Clear, close, cut out, go.

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

  9. The higher, the better.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  10. Waiting between the strikers to cut out the clearance.

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

Test 5Marking the opposite midfielderTake a test

  1. Responsible to mark, channel and tackle the opposite midfielder.

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

  2. Eliminating key opposition players through tight defensive marking.

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

  3. Defensively overloading the opposition.

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

  4. Channelling first, then tackling.

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

  5. Concentrate on channelling the opposition attack left.

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

  6. Restrict 1 v 1s in the middle: too high a risk.

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

  7. Between the opponent and the goal.

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

  8. Find, position, steer, win.

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

  9. The middle duel is riskiest.

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

  10. Tight goal-side marking of the opposite midfielder.

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

Test 6Reading turnoversTake a test

  1. Turnover of the ball can be unexpected.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance · recall

  2. Players with good insight and experience read the game better.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance · recall

  3. Midfielders need good reactions to these situations.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance · recall

  4. Just after a turnover, players are out of position.

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

  5. The full press aims at winning the ball in the turnover.

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

  6. Loose touches and forced passes are the moments to step in.

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

  7. A turnover starts the next attack.

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

  8. Error, step, win, go.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance · recall

  9. Right after the turnover is the weakest moment.

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

  10. Winning a loose ball: a turnover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance · applied

Test 7From defence to attackTake a test

  1. A fast attack after the opponents' corner breaks down or after a turnover.

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

  2. After the breakdown of the opponents' short corners.

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

  3. It draws opponents out and allows space behind them for the counter.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Mid-field press · recall

  4. Speed makes a counter work.

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

  5. Leave a few players at midfield so the ball has someone to go to.

    Source: NFHCA, Penalty Corners: Positions and Basic Tactics (2022), Defensive corner · recall

  6. The defence must be beaten before it recovers.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  7. Intercepted passes lead to a counter in the space behind.

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

  8. Win, release, run, finish.

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

  9. Fastest after a high turnover.

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

  10. Sprinting forward as the opponents' corner collapses: a counter.

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

Test 8From attack to defenceTake a test

  1. Must get behind the ball immediately after loss of possession.

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

  2. Quick reverse press, or fall back to the own half.

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

  3. Pressure on the ball buys time for the rest to recover.

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

  4. A good system allows easy transfer from attack to defence and back.

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

  5. Recover goal side, behind the ball.

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

  6. Players stuck high leave the defence outnumbered.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  7. Quick reverse press on opposition defenders and midfielders.

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

  8. Lose, press, recover, set.

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

  9. The closest react first.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied

  10. Pressing and recovering after a turnover: transition to defence.

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

Test 9The pivotTake a test

  1. The pivot between attacking and defensive play.

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

  2. Responsible for the triangular shape in midfield.

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

  3. Lead to encourage passes from the defensive zone.

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

  4. The central midfielder acts as a pivot for the left and right midfielders.

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

  5. From the middle, the pivot can switch the attack.

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

  6. Create depth to the striker attack.

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

  7. Get, open, switch, follow.

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

  8. Recover, steer, win, show.

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

  9. Turning play from one side to the other in the middle: the pivot.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eleven-a-side · applied

Test 10Keeping shape in transitionTake a test

  1. Good systems let players move from attacking to defending roles smoothly.

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

  2. All players must know and understand their positional roles.

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

  3. Shape gives options in attack and cover in defence.

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

  4. Shape is lost and space opens.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Strikers back off behind the ball giving defensive width.

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

  6. Join the attack on the ball side and drop defensively on the help side.

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

  7. The general tactic is decided and communicated before the match.

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

  8. Lose, press, recover as lines, re-shape.

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

  9. Lines together give most cover.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  10. Dropping in lines keeps the team's shape.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eleven-a-side · 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, Role of the midfielders24
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Individual tasks15
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide9
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary9
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eleven-a-side7
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers6
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Turnover and dominance5
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Phase 24
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Systems in hockey4
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Outletting2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full vision passing2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Basic defensive rules2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Midfield line2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary (counter-attack)1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Full press1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Mid-field press1
  • NFHCA, Penalty Corners: Positions and Basic Tactics (2022), Defensive corner1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Half court press1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Summary1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defensive presses1