Blind Pass Communication Drill
Communication
Legend
- player
- defender
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Force communication by requiring the ball carrier to pass without looking, relying entirely on verbal instructions from teammates.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- cones
Your focus
When the ball carrier cannot see, teammates must communicate with precision and urgency. This exaggerated scenario makes the communication skill highly conscious and deliberate. Players learn the value of clear, specific, timely communication.
Ball carrier stands in center of a 10x10 grid; 3 receivers stand at the edges.
Ball carrier keeps their eyes down (looking at the ball only); they cannot look up at teammates.
Teammates must communicate exactly who to pass to, when, and with what weight.
After 8 passes, rotate the ball carrier; discuss what communication worked best.
Goal
Success is the passer delivering it to exactly where the voice came from, no looking, just trusting the call.
Helpful cues
- Be specific, 'left cone, 10 yards, firm pass'
- Commit to a clear instruction before the carrier hits the ball
- Confidence in your voice creates confidence in the pass
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Allow the ball carrier to look up once per pass.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Ball carrier is moving; teammates must track and communicate dynamically.No account needed
Build a practice plan
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