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Indoor Hockey is a six-a-side game played with a goalkeeper and five field players and is considered as one of the big corner stones for the development and practice of hockey. It is a skilful, fast, exciting and extremely enjoyable game to both play and watch.
The skills involved in indoor hockey help the skill acquisition process for the outdoor game. Indoor hockey is extremely important in coaching and developing young hockey players because the speed of the game challenges them to make quick decisions and time their actions. As the field is much smaller and the ball changes direction all the time, all players are integrated in the game.
Indoor hockey is perfect for young hockey players. It provides numerous ball touches in a short period of time and it presents many of the tactical patterns of the outdoor game.
Indoor hockey can expose a team's deficiencies and showcase their strengths. The game is fast and numerous finishing opportunities are offered when played well, with technical and tactical speeds emphasised. A bad touch or a slow recovery will almost always result in a loss of possession, and quite often with a goal scored by the opposition. By putting players in learning situations, the results of their decisions and technical execution will educate them with a minimum of coaching involvement. In indoor hockey, you can see this happen.
In indoor hockey, supporting movements and management of space are keys to success. Slow transition and lazy supporting play will result in turnovers and goals to the opposition. This game requires strong play in these areas. Team success requires good spatial management, patience, and poise. Goalkeepers must be more than an obstacle standing in front of the goal, they must also support the attack. Because of the speed of the game, communication and anticipation are necessary and are usually rewarded with ball possession and finishing opportunities. Finishing opportunities generate enthusiasm and reinforce quality decisions and execution.
RESOURCES
Indoor Hockey Rules and Regulations
2010 Team Entry Form
Victorian Indoor State Teams
