To use the reverse stick in field hockey, rotate the stick with your left hand so the flat face points to your left and the toe points down, keep your right hand loose so the stick can turn freely, and play the ball on your left side while staying low. The reverse stick lets you receive, dribble, pass and shoot on the left without wasting time moving the ball onto your forehand. Because all field hockey sticks have the flat face on the same side, reverse skills are essential for every player, and strong reverse play makes you faster, harder to defend and more dangerous in the circle.
Why the reverse stick matters
Players who can only use the forehand have to move their body around the ball whenever it is on their left, which costs time and gives defenders a chance to tackle. The reverse stick removes that delay. It lets you receive passes from the left, dribble down the left side of the field, protect the ball from defenders on your right, pass quickly to teammates on your left and shoot from angles where the forehand would be awkward. At higher levels, reverse shots and reverse passes are major attacking weapons.
How to turn the stick
Rotating the stick smoothly is the foundation of all reverse skills. Hold the stick with your left hand at the top and your right hand lower. Turn the stick with your left hand so the toe points down and the flat face points left. Your right hand should stay relaxed, letting the stick rotate inside it rather than gripping tightly. Practice turning the stick back and forth while standing still, then while walking and jogging, until the movement feels automatic.
Reverse skills at a glance
| Skill | Key point |
|---|---|
| Receiving | Stick angled forward, soft hands, ball slightly ahead |
| Dribbling | Keep the ball left of your feet and in front, stay low |
| Reverse push | Short, accurate pushes to teammates on your left |
| Reverse hit | Swing with the stick nearly flat to the ground on your left, a powerful shooting option |
| Reverse tackle | Stick flat on the ground on your left to block the ball’s path |
| Reverse deflection | Stick turned over to redirect passes arriving on your left |
Receiving on the reverse
To receive on the reverse, turn the stick over, get low and angle the stick face slightly forward so the ball stays on the ground. Relax your grip so the ball does not bounce away. Take the ball slightly ahead of your body so you can move straight into your next action. Scanning before the ball arrives helps you decide whether to stop it dead, move into space or play first time.
Dribbling on the reverse
Reverse dribbling keeps the ball on your left side with the stick turned over. Stay low, keep the ball in front and to the left of your feet, and use small touches to control it. This technique is useful for running down the left side of the field and for keeping the ball away from defenders on your right. Combined with the forehand, it forms the Indian dribble, where the ball moves from side to side.
The reverse push
The reverse push is a quick, accurate pass to teammates on your left. With the stick turned over and in contact with the ball, push it along the ground by rotating your body and transferring your weight. There is no backswing, so the pass is hard to read. It is ideal for short passes in tight spaces and for moving the ball quickly without turning.
The reverse hit
The reverse hit, sometimes called a reverse edge hit, is a powerful shot or pass played on the left side. The stick is swung nearly flat to the ground, making contact with the ball using the edge or lower part of the stick face. It is a common shooting technique from the left side of the circle and is also used for long passes. The reverse hit can generate a lot of power, but it also tends to lift the ball, so control is essential.
Reverse tackling and defending
The reverse stick is also important in defense. When an attacker tries to go past you on your left, a reverse block tackle, with the stick turned over and laid flat on the ground, can stop the ball. Defenders also use the reverse to intercept passes on their left and to channel attackers. Because tackling on the reverse is harder than on the forehand, it requires practice to build wrist strength and timing. Defenders who are comfortable on both sides are much harder for attackers to beat, since they do not have an obvious weak side to exploit.
Strength and mobility for reverse skills
Reverse skills place extra demands on the wrists, forearms and lower back, because players must rotate the stick and bend low on their left side. Simple exercises such as wrist curls, forearm rotations with a light weight and core strengthening can help. Flexibility in the hips and hamstrings makes it easier to get low. Players should build up reverse hitting volume gradually, since repeated powerful swings can strain the back and shoulders. Health note: warm up properly before practice, and seek advice from a qualified professional if you feel pain.
Safety and rules
Reverse hits can rise quickly and unpredictably. Keep the swing controlled and never hit into players at close range. Umpires penalize dangerous play, including raised balls that endanger others. The ball must always be played with the flat face or the edges of the stick, never the rounded back.
Rulebook note: under the FIH Rules of Hockey, playing the ball with the edge of the stick is allowed, but hits that are dangerous, especially raised edge hits, can be penalized. NFHS rules for US high schools, NCAA rules and national youth rules may restrict edge play or raised balls more strictly, so check the rules for your competition.
How to build reverse skills step by step
- Master the turn. Practice rotating the stick smoothly with your left hand.
- Receive on the reverse. Use wall rebounds or a partner to practice controlling balls on your left.
- Dribble on the reverse. Carry the ball on your left side through cones.
- Add the reverse push. Pass to a partner on your left without turning to the forehand.
- Learn the reverse hit. Start with slow, controlled swings, focusing on contact and safety.
- Use it in games. Challenge yourself to use the reverse whenever the ball is on your left.
Drills to practice the reverse stick
Wall passes. Push the ball against a wall on your left and receive it on the reverse.
Reverse-only cone dribble. Dribble through cones using only the reverse side of the stick.
Reverse shooting. From the left side of the circle, practice reverse shots at targets in the goal.
Small-sided games. Play games where goals scored with reverse shots count double.
Common mistakes
- Gripping too tightly with the right hand, preventing the stick from turning.
- Standing upright, making reverse control difficult.
- Letting the ball get too close to the feet.
- Using the back of the stick instead of the flat face or edge.
- Raising reverse hits dangerously.
- Avoiding the reverse and always moving the ball to the forehand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reverse stick in field hockey?
Turning the stick over so the flat face plays the ball on your left side.
Is the reverse edge hit legal?
Under FIH rules it is allowed if it is not dangerous, but some school and youth leagues restrict it, so check your rulebook.
How can I improve my reverse stick skills?
Practice turning the stick smoothly, receiving and dribbling on the reverse, and use the reverse deliberately in training games.
