Field hockey is a game enjoyed by many thousands of players around the world. The game is one of the staple school sports in the UK and, for those participants who carry on with competitive hockey post-school, has a well developed adult club structure. Any player wishing to be successful in hockey however will need a good level of fitness due to the physical demands of the game.

With hockey now being played almost exclusively on artificial grass pitches, the game has changed. These surfaces allow better control of the ball and enhanced skill performance which combine to produce a faster, more accurate game. A faster paced game increases the fitness requirements of hockey too with players now needing to be much more serious about their training in order to compete at higher levels.

Outfield hockey players are constantly on the go with or without the ball, so without fitness even the most skilled player will not be able to compete on the pitch. However, for those players who are not lucky enough to have their pre-season training laid on for them by their club, the season is often started completely unprepared. This will not only reduce the enjoyment of the game, detriment skill levels and impair decision making but also increase injury risk.

Fitness for hockey is not straightforward though. The complete player will display;

• excellent cardiovascular fitness,
• acceleration,
• speed,
• speed endurance,
• muscular strength,
• co-ordination,
• agility and flexibility.

The pre-season period is essential for building a base level of fitness which will then be developed into sport specific fitness throughout the first few months of the season during club based sessions.

8 Week Fitness Programme
Pick up a 4 week programme in the gym or download an 8 week programme here.

Printer friendly