How to Pop & Chop the Ball in Field Hockey

A great move to beat an opponent is a quick lift, and the pop and chop will help you lift the ball right over her stick to continue dribbling. Each works best when your opponent tries to tackle you by placing her stick on the ground.

The pop and chop both have the same goal (to lift the ball over the stick), but they are executed differently. For either, you do not want to lift the ball any higher than a foot above the ground. Otherwise, you could get called for a “high” or “dangerous” foul. This guide will teach you the best way to lift the ball over your opponent’s stick off the dribble. By adding the pop and chop to your repertoire, you’ll have more tricks up your sleeve to get past an opponent.

The Pop

To pop, place your stick under the ball and lift it off the ground. This move is easier on grass surfaces than on turf because the thickness allows you to get your stick under the ball a lot easier. If you were to complete the pop on turf, you would want to add a slight pull or change of direction for an easier lift. To complete a pop:

1. Place your hands in the basic grip on the stick.
2. Dribble the ball forward. When you get about one foot away from your opponent’s stick, start your lift.
3. Get low by bending your knees (the lower you are, the easier the lift).
4. Angle the stick horizontal to the ground with its flat side facing the sky.
5. Get your stick under the ball:
   • If you are on grass, pinch the bottom of the stick under the ball.
   • If you are on turf, pull the ball slightly and, while controlling it, get your stick under the ball.
6. Lift the ball by flicking your right hand up towards the sky.
7. Make sure that your lift is less than a foot above the ground, but high enough for the ball to get over your opponent’s stick.
8. Accelerate forward with the dribble.
9. Scan for passing options.

Hot Tip: Practice Makes Perfect!

To practice either lift, start in a stationary position. Work on angling the stick and quickly lifting the ball. Remember, for the pop, the stick is horizontal to the ground with its face (flat side) facing the sky. For the chop, the stick is at a 45-degree angle forward with its flat side facing the ground.

Try placing a teammate’s stick on the ground and lifting the ball over it. After you’ve perfected it from a stationary position, work on lifting the ball off the dribble.

The Chop

This move is more commonly used on turf than on grass. The chop is another quick way to lift the ball over an opponent’s stick. It is faster than the pop because you can complete it on the run. With the pop on turf, you need to change the direction of the ball to get a better lift. But with the chop, no directional change is needed. Remember, complete the chop off the dribble — not while you’re stationary:

1. Start with your hands in the basic grip on the stick.
2. Slide your bottom hand to your top hand at the top of the stick to create the double V grip.
3. Chop the ball right before you get to your opponent’s stick. Off the dribble, the ball should be behind your back foot.
4. Angle the stick forward at a 45-degree angle on impact. The stick’s flat side will face the ground.
5. Cock your wrists for the hit.
6. Hit the top/back of the ball with the flat bottom side of the stick. Hit the ball down, not back.
7. The force of hitting the ball into the ground will cause it to pop up, over your opponent’s stick.
8. Accelerate back into the dribble.
9. Scan for possible passing options.

Tap That

These moves are quick lifts to get the ball over your opponent’s stick at the last second. The best time to use the pop and chop is while you are dribbling, when your opponent is blocking your path with her stick on the ground (trying to tackle the ball). Do not use either lift if your opponent has her stick upright.

Not only are you going to impress your teammates with these moves, but you will catch your opponents off guard, too. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get some quick touches on the ball!