Field Hockey · Level 8: Expert · Sub-level 8.1
Coaching Principles
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 31 October 2026 · markdown
The KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide puts development before results in youth hockey. It asks coaches to keep studying the game, to let players learn to solve problems themselves, and to show respect to everyone in the game. Parents are welcomed as part of the club, and local coordinators help coaches grow.
A coach can tell, ask or let go, and the best style depends on the moment. Clear orders keep a group safe in risky moments, while independence grows only when players make choices. Communication runs both ways: a reply closes the loop, and gestures, posture and eyes all send messages. Questions lead players to the solution, and corrections land better when they are positive. In a match, players can only hold a few ideas, so clear, calm advice and short, honest words work best. Rings and watches can injure the wearer and others, and head knocks need immediate attention.
The facts below cover the coach's responsibilities, coaching styles, two-way communication, asking questions, instructing and demonstrating, motivating players, correcting mistakes, coaching in a match, fair play and the coach, and safety first.
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 coach's responsibilitiesTake a test
Development comes before results in youth hockey.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players who like each other train and play better together.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Welcoming parents builds trust, so they back the team and the club.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Local coordinators help coaches grow.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Good coaches never stop studying the game.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players must learn to solve problems themselves.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Sporting behaviour covers everyone on and around the field, not only the opponents.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Ages 12-13, 14-15, 16-17.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Plan the year, then the weeks, then look back.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Greeting parents before training is hospitality: it makes them feel part of the club.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 2Coaching stylesTake a test
The coach tells and the players follow.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Players find the answer with a nudge.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
One player performs while the partner watches and comments.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Clear orders keep a group safe in risky moments.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Independence grows only when players make choices.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Hands-off coaching suits only experienced groups.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
No single style fits everything: a beginner group or a risky drill needs more direction than a skilled group solving a problem.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
From telling, to asking, to letting go.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
The players do the thinking: the coach sets the problem and asks, and confirms only after they have tried answers.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Asking and then waiting, rather than telling, is guided discovery: the players work out how to beat the press.
Source: General field hockey reference · applied
Test 3Two-way communicationTake a test
Only the coach is sending.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A reply closes the loop.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Gestures, posture and eyes all send messages.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Restless body language shows attention has gone.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Anything that pulls attention away is noise.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Distractions around the group swallow the message.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Vague calls leave players guessing.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The reply makes it two-way.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Talking before everyone listens wastes words; ending with a summary and questions fixes the message.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Restless players have stopped listening.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 4Asking questionsTake a test
No answer is suggested or limited, so the players can raise whatever they like.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
It invites only yes or no.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
It checks that the message arrived.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players may ask anything, but only about free hits, which keeps the answers focused.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
One question at a time gets real answers.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Narrow questions give useful replies.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Fresh feedback is the most useful.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The first leaves any topic open, the second limits it to free hits, and the third allows only yes or no.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The coach sums up, invites questions, and has a player repeat it, which proves the message arrived.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Asking a player to repeat the plan checks understanding.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 5Instructing and demonstratingTake a test
Lead with the one thing that matters.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Small steps are easier to follow.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Checking avoids lost players.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Show it, then let them do it.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Everyone gets a go before corrections begin.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Words spoken to a distracted group are lost.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Clear, slow speech lets every player hear and follow the words, especially outdoors.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players grasp a skill better when words are followed by a demonstration, a try and then feedback.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Checking understanding before the drill starts stops it breaking down once players are moving.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A demonstration shows what words cannot.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 6Motivating playersTake a test
Players work harder when they see the point.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Recalling a past success lifts a group.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Energy spreads from the coach to the group.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
It comes from inside the player.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
It comes from outside the player.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Goals near the edge of ability drive effort.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
A coach who takes part lifts the mood.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Giving the reason first, linking it to a past success and then showing energy follows the guide's motivation tips.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
From the moment, to the week, to the season.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
A coach who works alongside the players shows energy and lifts the mood.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 7Correcting mistakesTake a test
A positive tone keeps the player willing to try again instead of feeling criticised.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
One point is easy to remember.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Only stop everyone when everyone has the problem.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A shared fault needs a shared explanation.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Listening to the players' ideas keeps them involved and can reveal a better fix.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Knowing why helps the change stick.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Attention only for the strongest players would leave the others without feedback and slow their progress.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A fix works best when the coach sees the fault, names one point, shows it, and the player then tries again.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Interrupt only as much as needed.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Test 8Coaching in a matchTake a test
Players can only hold a few ideas in a match.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Clear, calm advice helps a player start well.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Observation tests the plan.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players must hydrate at the break.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Input helps, blame does not.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Short, honest words fit the moment.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Good manners after a match are part of coaching.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The roles follow the match in time: preparing, observing, talking at the break, commenting after, then reviewing.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A tip at the line-up comes before play, a call to a substitute during play, and directions in the half-time break.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Players lose fluid during the first half, so the coach makes sure each one drinks before the team talk.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 9Fair play and the coachTake a test
Leaders set the tone for the team.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Disagreements can wait.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A calm word later replaces a row on the field.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A spell on the bench cools tempers.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Everyone around the field affects the game.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Fair play suffers when only the score counts.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Ignorance of the rules is a cause of unfair play.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Calming the player comes first, a spell off lets tempers cool, and the proper talk waits until after the game.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Expectations are set before play, calls are accepted during it, and problems are raised calmly afterwards.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Taking her off gives her time to cool down and shows that arguing with umpires is not accepted.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Test 10Safety firstTake a test
Rings and watches can injure the wearer and others.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
A ball hit while others gather balls is dangerous.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Keepers face hard shots even in mini hockey.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
The right kit prevents injuries.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Small groups keep everyone active and supervised.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Head knocks need immediate attention.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
A quick walk round prevents falls.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Environment, equipment, body, work.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · recall
Play stops so nobody is hurt further, the player is checked, help is called if needed, and a record is kept.
Source: General field hockey reference · recall
Hard or metal items can injure the wearer or another player during a tackle or stick contact.
Source: KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide · applied
Questions people ask
- What comes first in youth hockey, results or development?
- The KNHB/SAHA Field Hockey Activity Guide puts development before results in youth hockey.
- When does hands-off coaching fit?
- Hands-off coaching suits only experienced groups. The best style depends on the moment, and clear orders keep a group safe in risky moments.
- Why does a coach need a reply from the players?
- A reply closes the loop and makes communication two-way. If only the coach is sending, the message may not arrive.
- What counts as noise when a coach speaks?
- Anything that pulls attention away is noise. Distractions around the group swallow the message, and words spoken to a distracted group are lost.
- How should a coach ask questions?
- One question at a time gets real answers, and narrow questions give useful replies. Asking a player to repeat the plan checks understanding.
- How should a coach correct a mistake?
- Positively, and with one point that is easy to remember. Stop everyone only when everyone has the problem.
- What does the guide say about jewellery at training?
- It bans jewellery and watches at training, because rings and watches can injure the wearer and others.
- Why does fair play depend on the coach?
- Fair play suffers when only the score counts, and ignorance of the rules is a cause of unfair play. Good manners after a match are part of coaching.
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 Guide83
- General field hockey reference17