indoor requirements and tips

 The Field Hockey Forum is the resource for players, coaches and umpires of Field Hockey. Join FHF now to have full access to all that we have to offer! Don't be satisfied with lurking when you can interact with thousands of other FHF’rs, take part in Competitions, win Prizes, download Coaching Papers, discover our vast Photo library and get rid of this message - Register Now!

[ozzie]

I've only ever played keeper on field, and I've been asked to play goalie for next indoor season...

I know absolutely nothing about indoor I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything I might need to know - whether it be a skill i should practice, or some product I need to have that I wouldn't need outdoors, etc.

for instance I was told I should get some kind of sock to put over my legguards to help with sliding, is this necessary?

probably a stupid question , but any advise would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, Oz.

[CormacDc]

I don't actually play indoor but from talking to others the Legguard covers work well but you only need them on some floors. you can use talc powder too if you keep applying it.

[ozzie]

ugh i hate the smell of that stuff...

[DoubleR]

Be careful putting talc on your pads.  If this comes off, which it will, it can make the floor incredibly slippy and therefore dangerous to everyone.

Best person to answer these Qs is NicFromSweden, resident indoor expert.  I've played a fair bit of indoors at an ok level but anything I say is learned through trial-and-error experience and not necessarily to be encouraged! 

[NicfromSweden]

Hi
first of all you do not need pad covers or talcum powders the only gks at a international level i have seen used it irl is the second dutch national gk you just have to get used to that your pads will slide differantly indoors to outdoors you cant expect any nice waterpitch slides expect more a really dry bad sandpitch slides

however i dont think you should slide a lot indoor its to easy to make a slip to the side of you for a open goal instead try to be on your feet as long as possible in indoor i never make blockslides the only time i dive is as last chance things + if im sure to make a tackle  instead i am very pro the "drop one knee" technique where you drop one of your legguards to the group to createa a barrier  (i most often use my right legguard because i feel it gives me the best chance of using my stick to make the barrier longer) since people cant lob over your stick its importat to have it fully  flat against the ground when covering passes etc when performing this skill right you can over 2m+ meters when just having one knee against the ground and you will be able to get back up easily by just pushing yourself up with your left foot that you keep your weight on

ask more questions and i will do my best to give you my view on it

[ozzie]

cheers nic,

one thing, I've noticed a lot of keepers tend to go out from the goal a fair bit,  often charging down the player with the ball.
is there a specific reason why many keepers prefer to do this?

and another thing (although not very important) is that on that video of your's I noticed that the keepers were coming off the line on PSs, even before the shot was taken. I may be wrong, but I think this is not allowed in field hockey. do these rules not apply indoor?

Oz

[NicfromSweden]

ozzie your right about both of your statements i used to come out much more in the past than i do now we havce changed our defence a bit and changed my responsibilities so now its not my role to charge players like i used to anymore and also the keeper is off the line which should had been spotted by the umpires and a penaltygoal should have been awarded

[Abbo]

Hey Nic, My indoor league starts tommorrow and I know nothing about indoor! haha.. could you give me a brief overview of what to look out for? things like balls being flicked/lifted e.t.c

Thanks mate