Succesful One-on-One

Being Successful in a One on One

Peter D'Cruz
Off The Crossbar Article Series

Being successful in a one-on-one is a very rare experience unless you are an elite player going up against a recreational club player or a beginner. At every level of field hockey, we play against people of the same standard. Tackling is a much easier skill than controlling the ball while trying to run around someone. Therefore, during a game it makes much more sense to avoid trying to beat an opposing player in a one-on-one and look for a pass or set up a two-on-one situation.
Notwithstanding how difficult it is to beat a defender in a one-on-one, there are situations in a game where a successful one-on-one can lead directly to a chance on goal. Inside the twenty-five yard area, and therefore inside the circle, is the area on the field to undertake a one-on-one. It does not make any sense for players to try beating a defender in a one-on-one outside the twenty-five yard area, as there are many other more effective ways for your team to get the ball into the scoring area.
To be successful in a one-on-one, you need to adhere to the following:
You must be very close to defender. To achieve success, you must think about beating the player   cleanly. The analogy is boxing where if you want to knockout your opponent you must be close to him. You can't land the knockout punch from a great distance.
You must be facing the defender. If you have your back to the defender you should pass the ball to a teammate. If you are turned to one side, you are limited in your options and the smart defender will know your options.
You must beat the player within a very small space. If you go too wide from the defender, he will be to react and set up to tackle you or you will run into other players who will easily tackle you.
You must get the ball behind the opposing player as quickly as possible. If you keep the ball in front of, or to the side of, the defender, he will have an opportunity to get his stick on the ball and dispossess you.
You must physically get past (or through) and behind the defender as quickly as possible. If you get behind the defender, you will cut him off from being able to turn and tackle.

Therefore, you must execute the one-on-one quickly and in a very compact area because a one-on-one does not happen in isolation. As soon as you are successful in your one-on-one, you will immediately face another defender (or more) or the goalkeeper. You must be ready to face this next situation, and if you have successfully cut off the player you just beat, you can be ready to make a pass, take a shot, or heaven forbid, another a one-on-one