One of the best parts of high school field hockey, in my opinion, is the chance to play against teams that are as good as or better than ours. I always look forward to the challenge of testing our skills against strong opponents. However, it can be tough to get the most out of these matches, especially when the results don’t go our way. After facing the number 1 and number 14 teams in the state early this season, my teammates and I reflected a lot on how to best prepare for, perform in, and learn from these games. Here are some key lessons we’ve learned:
Prepare Like Any Other Game
Before our game against Oak Knoll, the top team in New Jersey, we definitely got ahead of ourselves. The day before, our warm-ups were filled with conversations like, “How many commits do they have?” and “Imagine if we actually won!” While these thoughts built excitement, they also created unnecessary fear. Instead of focusing on our own game, we were distracted by how impressive our opponents were and the potential outcome. As a result, we started the match stiff and nervous instead of confident and calm.
From this experience, the captains and I realized we needed to approach every match with consistent intensity and excitement, without inflating the other team in our minds. As team leaders, we shifted our pregame focus to strategy, gratitude for the opportunity to play, and setting personal goals. This change has already improved our mindset on game day, transforming us from a stiff-starting team into one that plays with the same intensity from start to finish.
Let Mistakes Roll Off Your Back
Mistakes are inevitable in any game, but when playing tougher opponents, they often capitalize on those errors. This pressure can cause players to tense up and let one mistake lead to several more. I struggle with this too, but one technique that helps me refocus is the “Goldfish Technique.” If you’ve seen Ted Lasso, you might remember when Coach Lasso tells a player to “be a goldfish” — meaning to have a very short memory and quickly forget mistakes.
On the field, it can feel like a mistake is the end of the world, but it’s really just one play out of many. By letting mistakes roll off your back and resetting quickly, you can refocus and contribute more to your team—especially in close games.
Positive Reflection
Tough games don’t always go the way you want. Even after a win, there will be plays you wish you could redo and decisions you’d change. While it’s hard to stay positive during post-game reflection, my team and I have found that focusing on the positives and turning criticism into constructive goals boosts team morale.
For example, in a recent match against Chatham, we struggled to switch the point of attack, often playing up our weaker side. Instead of getting frustrated, my co-captain said, “We’re going to work hard in practice on our transfers so we can attack all areas of the field.” By reframing criticism as a clear, achievable goal, she gave us something positive to focus on. Keeping reflections constructive helps keep the team motivated and ready to improve.
With the Max Field Hockey Invitational this past weekend, many teams have faced some of their toughest opponents so far. I hope these insights from my experience help you learn and perform your best when you face similar challenges!
