To stop the ball in field hockey, get your body behind the line of the ball, hold the stick with the face angled slightly forward and down, and let the ball come to the stick with soft hands so it drops dead in front of you instead of bouncing away. Receive on the forehand whenever possible, keep your eyes on the ball until it arrives, and start moving your feet early so you can take the ball in a position to pass or dribble straight away.
Clean receiving is the most-used skill in the game. This guide covers the main types of stop, body position and grip, receiving on the move, drills for every level and the mistakes that cost possession.
Types of stops
| Stop | When to use it | Key technique |
|---|---|---|
| Open-stick (forehand) stop | Ball coming to your right side or straight at you | Stick angled forward, ball received in front of the right foot |
| Reverse-stick stop | Ball coming to your left side | Turn the stick over, toe down, receive in front of the left foot |
| Flat-stick stop | Fast balls along the ground, often in defence | Stick laid flat on the turf to create a wide barrier |
| Upright stop | Slower passes when you want to move off quickly | Stick more vertical, ball received beside the feet |
| Aerial receive | Balls in the air, such as overheads | Stick held up with an open face, soft hands to kill the ball |
Body position and grip
A good stop starts before the ball arrives. Stand side-on or slightly open to the pass so you can see both the ball and the field. Bend your knees and get low, which brings your eyes closer to the ball and lets the stick stay near the ground. Hold the stick with the left hand at the top and the right hand lower down the grip. The left hand controls the angle of the stick face; the right hand provides stability. Keep your grip relaxed: tight hands make the ball bounce off.
Receiving step by step
- Read the pass. Watch the passer’s stick and body to judge speed and direction.
- Move your feet. Get into the line of the ball rather than reaching for it.
- Present the stick. Place the stick on the ground in front of you, face angled slightly forward and down.
- Cushion the ball. Give slightly with the hands as the ball arrives so it stops in front of you.
- Look up. The moment the ball is under control, scan for your next pass or run.
Receiving on the move
In matches, players rarely stand still to receive. Receiving on the move lets you take the ball into space and beat a defender with your first touch. Instead of killing the ball dead, you guide it slightly ahead into the direction you want to go. This “positive first touch” is one of the biggest differences between beginners and advanced players.
- Check your shoulder before the pass arrives to see where defenders are.
- Angle your stick so the ball moves into space, not back toward pressure.
- Receive on the side away from the nearest defender.
- Keep your feet moving through the touch.
Drills to improve your stopping
| Drill | Setup | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Partner push and stop | Two players 10 metres apart pushing the ball to each other | Soft hands and a dead stop |
| Forehand and reverse | Partner alternates passes to the right and left side | Switching between open and reverse stops |
| Wall rebounds | Hit against a wall or rebound board and receive the return | Reaction and repetition |
| Receive and turn | Receive a pass, turn and pass to a third player | Positive first touch |
| Pressure receiving | A defender closes down as the pass arrives | Scanning and receiving away from pressure |
Common mistakes
- Standing tall: the stick leaves the ground and the ball runs underneath.
- Stiff hands: the ball bounces off the stick.
- Stick face angled back: the ball pops up, which can be dangerous and give away a free hit.
- Reaching instead of moving: leads to weak reverse stops and lost balls.
- Watching the ball after the stop: you lose time to see the next pass.
Receiving and the rules
Players may only use the flat side of the stick and its edges to play the ball, not the rounded back. A receive that makes the ball rise dangerously, or that uses the body or feet to stop it, is a foul. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their body and kickers in their own circle.
Rules reference: FIH Rules of Hockey. High school (NFHS) and other competitions may differ, so check your league.
Stopping different types of passes
Not every pass arrives the same way. Adjusting your technique to the type of ball makes a clean first touch much more likely.
| Incoming ball | How to receive it |
|---|---|
| Firm push pass along the ground | Stick low and angled forward, soft hands to absorb pace |
| Hard hit or slap | Get well behind the line, bend lower and give with the stick as the ball arrives |
| Bouncing ball on a bumpy pitch | Keep the stick slightly higher and closer to the body to smother the bounce |
| Aerial ball | Stand still, watch the ball onto the stick and cushion it down safely to the ground |
| Ball from behind | Open the body and receive on the forehand while moving forward |
Scanning before you receive
A great first touch starts before the ball arrives. Glance over your shoulder and across the pitch to see where opponents and teammates are. That information tells you whether to stop the ball dead, take it into space or play it first time. Coaches often ask players to scan two or three times before every reception, because a player who already knows the next move can protect the ball and play faster.
Equipment and surface
The playing surface changes how the ball behaves. Water-based turf is fast and true, so the ball arrives quickly but predictably. Sand-dressed or sand-filled surfaces are slower and can produce bounces, and grass is the least predictable of all. Practise on the surface you play matches on, and check your stick for damage to the face, since chips and cracks can make the ball deflect unexpectedly.
Practising alone
You do not need a partner to improve your stopping. Hit the ball firmly against a wall or rebound board and control the return, alternating forehand and backhand. Vary the pace and angle, and count how many clean stops you make out of twenty to track progress.
Frequently asked questions
How do you stop a fast ball in field hockey?
Get low, lay the stick flatter on the ground, and give with your hands so the stick absorbs the speed.
Can you stop the ball with your foot in field hockey?
No. Field players may not intentionally stop the ball with their feet or body.
Should I stop the ball dead or keep it moving?
Beginners should stop it dead. As you improve, a positive first touch into space is more effective.
