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Field Hockey · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.1

Positions and Formations

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 31 October 2026 · markdown

A hockey team of eleven is organised by a system, which brings order and divides tasks among the players. The KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide describes eleven-a-side as strikers, midfielders, defenders and the goalkeeper, ordered front to back, with a vertical (length) axis and a horizontal (width) axis. A system also allows an easy transfer from attack to defence and back, and which one a team uses depends on the players available and the opponents' expected game plan.

Each line has its own tasks. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence, behind the defenders, and communicates defensive instructions and attacking ones too. The sweeper is a deep defender without a marking role and gives cover and depth, while the centre back marks the centre striker. The side defenders mark on the ball side and cover on the help side, and they get the most opportunity to attack. In midfield the central midfielder is the pivot between attack and defence and is responsible for the triangular shape, with the outside midfielders playing higher. The striker line can have four, three or two strikers.

The facts below cover the lines of a team, the goalkeeper's tasks, the sweeper, the centre back, the side defenders, the centre midfielder, the outside midfielders, midfield shapes, the striker line and why young players should try every position.

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 lines of a teamTake a test

  1. A system brings order and divides tasks among the eleven players.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Tactics for youth teams · recall

  2. Strikers, midfielders, defenders and the goalkeeper.

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

  3. Defenders sit between the midfield and the goalkeeper, so the back line is the last outfield line before the keeper.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Tactics for youth teams · recall

  4. Length is how far apart the lines stand from back to front; width is how widely players spread across the field. A good system uses both.

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

  5. With players well spread in length and width, the team can change from attacking to defending without being caught out of shape.

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

  6. It depends on the players available and the opponents' expected game plan.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Tactics for youth teams · recall

  7. Line tactics are the joint actions of one line, such as the defenders moving up or dropping back together.

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

  8. Play runs from the goal being attacked back to your own: strikers up front, then midfield and defence, with the goalkeeper last.

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

  9. One player, a group, the whole team.

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

  10. Strikers play highest up the field, so the line closest to the opponents' goal is the striker line.

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

Test 2The goalkeeper's tasksTake a test

  1. The keeper stands behind every defender, so once the ball gets past them the keeper is the only player left to stop a goal.

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

  2. From the back the keeper sees the whole field and calls to defenders where to stand and whom to pick up.

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

  3. Seeing the whole play from behind, the keeper can also tell team-mates when to push up and where space is open.

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

  4. Older goalkeepers add leadership: coming out to narrow the angle and organising the defenders in front of them.

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

  5. Older keepers face lifted shots as well as ground ones, so they must be ready to react to both.

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

  6. Besides stopping a shot with the pads, the keeper can clear the ball away with the stick so that it does not stay in danger.

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

  7. Standing at the back with the whole field ahead, the keeper sees play develop and can warn the defence early.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  8. Organising comes first while the ball is far away; the keeper must be set before the shot and clear it to the side after saving so no rebound is left.

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

  9. Movement, angles, then leading the defence.

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

  10. Pointing and calling while the ball is upfield is the keeper organising the defence, not preparing for a shot.

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

Test 3The sweeperTake a test

  1. The sweeper is the free defender: no opponent to mark, so the player can read the game and cover the others.

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

  2. The free defender gives cover and depth behind the other defenders.

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

  3. The sweeper has no regular opponent, so when an extra attacker breaks past the defenders the sweeper picks that player up.

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

  4. Without a marking job the sweeper is free to step forward with the ball and add a player to the midfield.

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

  5. A free player behind the midfield helps keep the ball and defend higher.

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

  6. Each defender then marks one attacker with nobody behind, so a single beaten defender leaves a free run at goal.

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

  7. Defenders always have cover and the opponents' space is limited.

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

  8. A sweeper starts as cover; once the ball is won, the same free role lets the player step up and start the attack.

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

  9. The sweeper behind the defenders gives cover to all of them; the other two set-ups leave the back line with less cover or none.

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

  10. Standing deep behind the other defenders with no opponent to mark is the sweeper's free role: covering team-mates rather than following a player.

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

Test 4The centre backTake a test

  1. The central defender plays opposite the opposing centre striker, the most direct threat in the middle.

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

  2. The high defender can step up on opponents who break through.

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

  3. Centre strikers are not always mindful of reverse defending.

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

  4. With the ball, the centre back can carry it forward into midfield, giving the team an extra player there.

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

  5. The back line has a left defender, a centre back and a right defender, so the centre back holds the middle, facing the opposing centre striker.

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

  6. Provide cover behind the midfield and facilitate outlet passes.

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

  7. The centre back stands in the middle of the defence, directly in the path of the opposing centre striker, so that is the player to watch.

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

  8. A centre back starts by marking, and once the ball is won can carry it into midfield before passing forward.

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

  9. Seen across the back line, the centre back stands between the left and right defenders.

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

  10. Staying close to the centre striker in the middle of the defence is the centre back's marking job.

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

Test 5The side defendersTake a test

  1. The right defender faces the opposing left striker, so while the ball is on that side it marks that player closely.

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

  2. Pushing the attacker onto the defender's open front stick side gives the defender the strongest tackle.

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

  3. Away from the ball there is nobody to mark tightly, so the side defender drops back to cover team-mates.

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

  4. Running or passing along the side-line stretches the opposition, which opens space for the middle.

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

  5. The outside defenders get the most opportunity to attack.

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

  6. Wing defenders play on the flanks, so their opponents are the strikers who play out wide.

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

  7. An outlet pass is the first pass from the back to an attacker on that side, moving the ball out of defence.

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

  8. While the ball is on their side they mark tightly; once it switches to the far side the same defender drops off to cover.

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

  9. After winning the ball the side defender uses the side-line for width, plays the outlet pass and then supports the move.

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

  10. Staying with the left striker near the side-line on that flank is the job of the right defender.

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

Test 6The centre midfielderTake a test

  1. The central midfielder is the pivot between attack and defence.

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

  2. Getting behind the ball quickly puts the midfielder between the ball and the goal, so the team is not exposed in the middle.

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

  3. Pushing attackers left forces them onto the weaker reverse stick, which is easier to defend.

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

  4. Keeping a triangle with the outside midfielders gives the team passing angles in attack and cover in defence.

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

  5. Rushing in risks being beaten in the centre, so the midfielder first steers the attacker and waits for a safe moment to tackle.

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

  6. If an attacker beats the defender in the middle there is open space to goal, so duels there are avoided.

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

  7. By leading into space the midfielder offers a passing option and helps the defenders move the ball out.

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

  8. After a turnover the midfielder first gets behind the ball, then limits space, steers the attacker left and tackles only when safe.

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

  9. The midfielder shows for the pass, receives, passes to a striker and keeps the triangle so support remains.

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

  10. Light 6 sits centrally between the back and front lines, joining defence and attack: the centre midfielder.

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

Test 7The outside midfieldersTake a test

  1. Getting back behind the ball immediately stops a quick counter-attack and rebuilds the team's shape.

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

  2. Standing inside the striker rather than level with the line gives the pair a triangle with the centre midfielder, and passing angles.

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

  3. With the ball on their side they add a player to the attack there, while the far side stays back.

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

  4. Away from the ball they are not needed in attack, so they drop back to protect the middle and defend.

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

  5. Midfielders are key players in restarts: free hits and side-line hits.

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

  6. When high players pull defenders away, runs from midfield into the gap they leave can break through.

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

  7. Seeing a change of possession coming lets these players react before the opponents do.

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

  8. After the ball is lost the outside midfielder sprints back first, then picks up an opponent and helps win possession again.

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

  9. Midfielders first link with the defence, then pass to the strikers and run into the space those strikers have created.

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

  10. A player just behind and inside the right striker, forming the triangle, is the right midfielder.

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

Test 8Midfield shapesTake a test

  1. In an attacking triangle the point faces your own goal, so the two outside players push up and the centre sits behind them.

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

  2. In the defensive triangle the point of the triangle faces the opponents.

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

  3. Usually one is more offensive and the other more defensive.

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

  4. Diamond: one central attacking and one central defensive midfielder.

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

  5. In a one-three the single player sits at the back as a shield in front of the defence, with three ahead.

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

  6. In a three-one the single player plays forward of the three, as the link to the strikers.

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

  7. In a trough the four are split evenly: two give attacking support and two give defensive cover.

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

  8. Deep centre, level, then centre ahead.

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

  9. Bottom point, the sides, top point.

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

  10. Back, two sides, front: a diamond.

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

Test 9The striker lineTake a test

  1. The system decides the number: fewer strikers leave more players in midfield, more strikers give a heavier attack.

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

  2. A marked striker cannot receive safely, so getting free of the marker gives the passer a clear target.

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

  3. Swapping places makes it hard for defenders to know whom they should mark.

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

  4. The faster they get there, the fewer defenders are in place, so a shot or pass is more likely to succeed.

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

  5. Pressing at once stops the opponents building up and may win the ball high up near their goal.

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

  6. Being right in front of the goal gives the best angle for a shot and for deflections.

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

  7. The shortest route to goal is straight, so after beating the defender the striker turns inside rather than staying wide.

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

  8. A striker must be free of the marker before receiving, then runs at the circle to finish.

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

  9. Strikers first pressure the player with the ball, steer it to one side and, if beaten, drop back behind the ball.

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

  10. A run towards the back-line away from the ball pulls defenders back and opens space in front of them.

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

Test 10Playing every positionTake a test

  1. All players must get the chance to play in all positions to increase knowledge.

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

  2. Each position has attacking and defensive aspects to master.

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

  3. Rotate through all positions to learn the tactical requirements.

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

  4. Knowing the other role makes a better attacker.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  5. Tactics need skills: a player who cannot control and pass the ball cannot carry out the plan.

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

  6. A system only works if every player knows what is expected in their position.

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

  7. Practising in game-like situations teaches players to decide as they would in a real match.

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

  8. Variety first, then understanding, then a specialism.

    Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall

  9. The game progression grows the field and the team.

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

  10. Moving players round lets them learn every role.

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

Questions people ask

Why does a hockey team play to a system?
A system brings order and divides tasks among the eleven players. It also allows an easy transfer from attack to defence and back.
What does a sweeper do?
The sweeper is a deep defender without a marking role. The sweeper gives cover and depth behind the other defenders, and a sweeper behind gives the most cover.
Which player marks the centre striker?
Marking the centre striker is the centre back's job. One central defender defends the centre striker.
What is the central midfielder's role?
The central midfielder is the pivot between attack and defence. This player is responsible for the triangular shape in midfield and drops behind the line of the ball as soon as possible.
What shapes can a midfield take?
The guide names a diamond, with one central attacking and one central defensive midfielder, a one-three formation with one defensive midfielder, a three-one formation with one attacking midfielder, and a trough formation with two offensive and two defensive players.
How many strikers can a team use?
The striker line can have four, three or two strikers. It is the line furthest forward.
Should young players stay in one position?
No. The guide says all players must get the chance to play in all positions to increase knowledge, and that knowing the other role makes a better attacker.

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, Individual tasks40
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Midfield line10
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eleven-a-side7
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Defence line6
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the strikers6
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Phase 14
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Formation 14
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Role of the midfielders4
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Tactics for youth teams3
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide3
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Summary3
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Tactics2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Glossary2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Eight-a-side2
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Skill plan1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Striker line1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Six-a-side1
  • KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide, Game progression1