As a field hockey player, when the month turns to November and there is a chill in the air, I know that I am going to shift gears from playing outdoor field hockey to indoor field hockey. There is a slight overlap between the final week or so of playoffs for the outdoor field hockey high school season and indoor, but ultimately, mid-November typically marks the time when every athlete is amid indoor play.
There is certainly some confusion related to indoor field hockey versus outdoor field hockey, specifically in determining the difference between the two. In my experience, because indoor field hockey is solely run at the club level, I have found that certain clubs tend to engage their players in indoor field hockey more so than others. At the most basic, indoor and outdoor field hockey are each their own separate game, yet they are both forms of field hockey, nonetheless. Because outdoor field hockey cannot be played all-yearlong due to climates, indoor field hockey was created to be more suitable for play always and only inside. And even though each game has different rules, equipment, and playing structures, the essence of field hockey is the same in each. Check out Longstreth’s Indoor Guide for a comprehensive look at everything you should know about indoor!
I cannot speak highly enough on the value of participating in indoor field hockey. I began when I was a U10 and continued all the way up until my final year of U19. Since it must be played with a club, playing indoor immediately exposes any athlete to more intense training than a youth, recreational, or school team/league and other goal-oriented athletes. I find that this involvement with a new team and more challenging practice and competition schedule is incredibly valuable to allow a player to develop mentally and physically. Indoor is also a way that I was able to develop my confidence. Playing throughout the year with a team gives all athletes many more touches on their stick. Continuous reps all winter gave me the chance to continue to improve, play in tournaments, and gather more feedback about myself and my playing style. Beyond that, it has improved many of my field hockey skills in general. I credit my vision, decision-making, passing, and goal-scoring skills to what I’ve learned playing indoor.
Indoor field hockey is played on a small court, meaning that time and space are constantly limited. This challenge in the game gave me the chance to maintain a constant focus on playing as quickly as possible, constantly scanning the field to gain awareness of my teammates and the opposition. Indoor also really allowed me to develop one-time passing skills and being able to always play two-touch hockey. At higher levels of play, efficiency on and off the ball is key, and a constant necessity in indoor for all ages groups. I will never forget the importance of framing the goal and executing shots with accuracy and velocity thanks to indoor. On the smaller court and with a fast pace, always being ready and prepared to shoot is essential.
Ultimately, each athlete’s experience is unique, but indoor is most certainly an opportunity to take advantage of during the winter months for overall benefit and growth. Try it out and see if it exposes you to any new skills or tactics. You won’t regret it!
