Hunt rebounds like predators

A short recap of some principles about scoring rebounds in field hockey

Your forwards don’t need more scoring opportunities—they need to hunt rebounds like predators. In modern field hockey, the majority of goals come not from the first shot but from the chaos that follows: the rebound.
The initial shot? Often a decoy, a way to unsettle the goalkeeper and defenders. The real chance, the kill, is in the second touch, the quick reaction to loose balls, deflections, or saves.
So, the question is: Are your circles set up to win that chaos? Are your forwards ready to pounce when the ball bounces off the keeper or defender?

Decision-Making, Positioning and Technical Skills for Rebound Scoring

Rebound scoring is a high-pressure skill. It demands lightning-fast decision-making, precise positioning, and technical execution under almost no time to react. Unlike planned set plays or controlled shots, rebounds are unpredictable. The ball can ricochet in any direction, and the forward must be ready to adjust instantly.

The challenge is threefold:

• Decision-Making: Players must anticipate where the ball will go after the initial shot or save. This requires pre-scanning the goal area and reading the goalkeeper’s body language.

• Positioning: Being in the right spot before the shot is crucial. Too close, and you risk being blocked or off-balance, too far, and you miss the chance to react.

• Technical Execution: The rebound shot often happens with limited control—sometimes a deflection, a one-touch finish, or a quick stick adjustment. Players must be comfortable with these rapid, often awkward touches.

Mike McCann, a renowned striker and coach, emphasizes that the best rebounders turn their bodies a second or two before the shot, focusing on the goalkeeper’s position and the likely rebound zone. They use peripheral vision to track both the ball and the keeper simultaneously, preparing their hands and body for a quick reaction .

---

Three Phases of Rebound Scoring

1. Pre-Scanning

Before the shot even happens, the forward must be mentally and physically prepared.

• Reading the Goalkeeper: Watch the keeper’s stance, stick position, and body angle. Are they favoring one side? Are they set low or upright? This gives clues about where the rebound might go.

• Identifying Rebound Zones: Most rebounds come off the pads, stick, or post. Knowing these “hot spots” helps players position themselves effectively.

• Anticipating Deflections: Be aware of defenders’ positions and how the ball might ricochet off them.

2. Positioning

Positioning is about balance, readiness, and spatial awareness.

• Optimal Distance: Mike McCann advises maintaining a distance that allows quick reaction but avoids crowding the goalkeeper—about a stick’s length away. Too close, and you risk being blocked or off-balance, too far, and you lose reaction time .

• Body Orientation: Turn your body slightly towards the goal, with knees bent and weight on the balls of your feet. Hands should be in front, ready to control or deflect the ball.

• Avoid Leading for the Ball: Alyson Annan highlights the danger of “leading for the ball” — moving too early or lunging forward. Staying balanced and still increases the chance of a clean touch .

3. Execution

The moment the ball rebounds, execution must be near-instantaneous.

• First Touch Control: Often, the rebound shot is a one-touch finish. Players must keep their hands away from the body, allowing quick stick movement and control .

• Body Momentum: Use small, quick steps to adjust position and direct the ball towards goal. The body should follow the line of the ball to generate power even in tight spaces.

• Rebound Awareness: Be ready for a second rebound or deflection. The best rebounders don’t stop after one shot—they stay alert for the next opportunity.

---

Five Key Coaching Points for Rebound Scoring

1. Train Players to Turn Early and Use Peripheral Vision:
   Encourage forwards to turn their bodies a second or two before the shot and focus on the goalkeeper’s position. This anticipatory action improves reaction time and shot accuracy .

2. Emphasize Balance and Stillness in the Circle:
   Teach players to avoid lunging or leading for the ball. Staying balanced and “standing still” increases control and shot quality during rebounds .

3. Develop Quick Hands and Stick Skills for One-Touch Finishes:
   Use drills that force players to react quickly to unpredictable ball trajectories, practicing deflections, quick taps, and controlled rebounds .

4. Position Players to Maximize Rebound Zones:
   Set up forwards in the prime rebound areas—between the goalkeeper and defenders, near the posts, and just inside the circle—to increase chances of intercepting loose balls .

5. Practice Rebound Scenarios Under Pressure:
   Simulate game-like chaos in training with shots on goal, rebounds, and second-chance opportunities. This builds players’ confidence and sharpens their instincts .

---

Actionable Takeaways for Coaches

1. Incorporate Rebound Awareness Drills:
   Design drills where players must react to unpredictable rebounds from shots on goal, focusing on quick stick skills and body positioning.

2. Coach Body Positioning and Balance:
   Use video analysis or live feedback to help forwards understand the importance of staying balanced and avoiding leading for the ball.

3. Train Anticipation and Peripheral Vision:
   Encourage players to pre-scan the goalkeeper and defenders before shots, using exercises that develop their ability to track multiple elements simultaneously.

---

Summary

Rebound scoring is a subtle art—one that separates good forwards from great ones. It’s about anticipation, balance, and lightning-fast execution in the chaos of the circle. By focusing your coaching on these elements, you’ll help your players become relentless predators in front of goal, turning second chances into match-winning moments.

Got your own ideas on this topic? Share them ↓

---

Some of the sources for the above were these masterclasses: 
→  Alyson Annan: Circle behavior 
→  Mike McCann: 9 yards scoring 

Ready to take a look at possible ways to train all of this? If you’re a paid subscriber read on below  ↓  for some drills and SSG’s to train rebounds.