Verbal Cue Passing Triangle
Communication
Legend
- player
- cones
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Build communication skills using standardized verbal cues (pressure, turn, time) during a triangle passing exercise.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- cones
Your focus
Standardized communication language makes teams faster and safer. Learning key cues early allows players to respond automatically to them in games. The triangle format maintains movement and spatial awareness alongside the communication practice.
Three players form a triangle 10 yards apart; one ball shared between them.
As a player receives the ball, teammates must call 'pressure,' 'turn,' or 'time' based on the scenario the coach sets.
Player with ball responds appropriately to the cue (shields if pressure, turns if clear, takes time if pressured).
After 3 minutes, rotate so each player practices giving and receiving each cue.
Goal
You're there when the verbal cues match what's happening, 'pressure' means someone's on you, 'time' means you're free, and it happens automatically.
Helpful cues
- Say it early, before they get the ball
- One clear word, loud and confident
- React to the cue immediately, no thinking
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Coach calls the cue instead of players.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a defender to create real scenarios for the cues.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.