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Field Hockey Drills for Beginners (Fun & Easy to Coach)
If you’re new to coaching field hockey, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to start.
How do you keep players engaged?
How do you teach basic skills without boring them?
And how do you build confidence in players who may be touching a stick for the very first time?
The answer is simple: fun, game-based drills.
Beginner players learn best when they’re moving, competing, and enjoying themselves. In this article, we’ll walk you through three fun field hockey drills for beginners that are easy to set up, highly engaging, and perfect for youth training sessions.
You can also download all three drills in a printable PDF pack at the end of this article.
Why Fun Drills Matter for Beginners
When coaching beginners — especially youth players — your priority isn’t complex tactics or structured systems.
It’s:
- Building confidence
- Maximising ball touches
- Developing coordination
- Creating enjoyment
Players who enjoy training stay longer in the sport and develop faster.
Fun drills also naturally teach core fundamentals like:
- Dribbling with control
- Keeping the head up
- Protecting the ball
- Reacting to stimuli
Let’s look at three beginner-friendly drills you can use immediately in your sessions.
1️⃣ Fill the Bucket
4
Focus: Dribbling speed & ball control
Players: 8–12
Equipment: Balls, cones, bucket/box
How it works
Players are divided into two teams. On the coach’s signal, the first player from each team dribbles towards a central square, drops their ball into the bucket, and sprints back to tag the next teammate.
The relay continues until one team fills the bucket first.
Why it’s great for beginners
This drill teaches players to:
- Run with the ball under control
- Keep the ball in front of the body
- Dribble with their head up
- Compete in a fun environment
You can also add physical challenges for the losing team to increase engagement.
Full setup, coaching tips, and progressions are included in the free PDF pack.
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2️⃣ Last Ball Standing
4
Focus: Ball protection & awareness
Players: 4–12
Equipment: Balls, cones
How it works
Each player dribbles freely inside a marked area with their own ball.
The objective?
Knock other players’ balls outside the area while keeping your own safe.
If your ball goes out — you’re eliminated.
The last player remaining wins.
Coaching outcomes
This beginner drill develops:
- Ball shielding
- Spatial awareness
- Competitive mentality
- Close ball control
It’s simple to run and extremely engaging for youth players.
You can make the area smaller over time to increase pressure and difficulty.
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3️⃣ Colour Quest
4
Focus: Scanning & reaction speed
Players: 5+
Equipment: Balls, coloured cones
How it works
Players dribble towards a central zone while looking up at the coach.
The coach holds different coloured cones.
When a colour is shown, the player must react quickly, locate the matching cone, and dribble towards it before passing to the next player.
Why beginners love it
This drill trains:
- Split vision
- Decision-making
- Reaction speed
- Dribbling while scanning
It introduces perception skills early — without needing complex tactics.
You can increase difficulty by revealing colours later or forcing forehand-only dribbling.
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Download the Free Beginner Drill Pack
Want printable versions of these drills you can bring straight to training?
We’ve bundled them into a free coaching resource.
What’s included
- 3 beginner-friendly fun drills
- Printable field layouts
- Step-by-step instructions
- Coaching focus points
- Difficulty progressions
👉 Download the Free Beginner Field Hockey Drill Pack
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How to Coach Beginners Effectively
Before you go, here are a few key coaching tips when working with new players:
Keep instructions short
Explain quickly. Let them play.
Demonstrate visually
Show the movement instead of over-explaining.
Use games over lines
Avoid long waiting times.
Maximise ball touches
Every player should have a ball when possible.
Rotate frequently
Keep energy high and players engaged.
Fun + repetition = development.
Want More Drills Like These?
If you’re looking for more ready-to-use exercises, structured session plans, and coaching tools…
The LEAD platform gives coaches access to:
- 500+ field hockey drills
- Session & training builders
- Seasonal planning tools
- Video learning content
- Coach education resources
👉 Explore the LEAD Coaching Platform
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Final Thoughts
Coaching beginners doesn’t need to be complicated.
Focus on fun, movement, and engagement first — the technical development will follow naturally.
Use these drills as a starting point, and build sessions that players love coming back to.
And if you want printable versions you can use on the pitch…
Download the free drill pack and get started today.
