Practical Approaches for Fostering Creative Field Hockey Players

Ready for some field hockey food for thought? This week’s masterclass brought us Tin Matkovic, a coach who you probably already know from his time in the German Bundesliga (most recently with Stuttgarter), and a true champion of creative player development.

If you missed it live (we won’t hold it against you, tight coaching schedules and all), here’s a summary of the topics and highlights.

Meet the Mastermind: Tin Matkovic

For those new to Tin, here’s the quick intro: Croatian by heritage, now plying his trade as both a Bundesliga men’s club coach and a youth developer, Tin’s got a sharp eye for trends and a passion for breaking the mold. Creativity, especially in young players, is something he’s been thinking hard about for years. We moved the live session a bit earlier in the day to make it work with his schedule, and trust me—it was worth the coffee.

Key Topics Covered

1. Player Creativity vs. Coach Creativity
   The focus here wasn’t on outsmarting each other with drill design, but on how we can allow and encourage our players to surprise us on the pitch. Tin made it clear that, when it comes to creativity, players need space to explore and fail.

2. Evolution of “Super Skills”
   Think back 10-15 years—what used to be “special” technical skills (high-ball, 3D dribbling, aerial tap-ins) are now routine for many 14-year-olds. Why? Increased access to social media and global content, and a changing approach to what is prioritized in youth training.

3. Structure vs. Freedom
   Tin splits the modern evolution into three big phases: strict structure, hybrid structure/individual freedom, and—what we’re seeing more now—a creative era. The shift? Less ‘one-way-only’ coaching, more buy-in for letting players solve problems and exploit space as they see it.

4. Skill Repetition and Enjoyment
   “Creativity comes from repetition and enjoyment.” Tin's view: young players who are engaged and encouraged to try new things are the ones who stay late with a ball at their stick, and that attitude carries creative spark into match day.

5. The Power of Unpredictable Play
   Fake passes, body feints, last-second decisions. Whether it’s winning a 1v1 or nailing a shootout, unpredictable actions—especially those that can’t simply be drilled—are what set great players apart.

6. Creativity in Small Games and Drills
   Using small, game-like scenarios can foster decision-making and improvisation. For Tin, setting up 2v1 or 3v1 counterplays with rules tweaking passing or movement options helps develop smart risk-taking and overlapping runs.

7. Aerials and Tap-Ins: The New “Norms”
   We dissected some iconic high-ball goals (think Gover’s World Cup aerial tip-in), and discussed how skills that were once showstoppers are now part of the youth toolkit. Tin runs drills replicating these moments, including crazy catches and tip-ins using rebound nets and dummy defenders.

8. The Defender as Playmaker
   The days when defenders just “distributed” are over. The best modern defenders eliminate pressure and carry forward, sometimes breaking lines better than your strikers. Tin encouraged us to actively pursue this skill progression for both lines.

9. Managing Creative Risk
   So what about those tight-angle shots or back-post reverse-stick flicks? Tin is all for experimentation in the right context (“If it’s a training, let them try. In a game? Know your moments.”). But the overall point is: don’t stifle initiative—guide it.

10. Learning from Other Sports and Adapting Drills
    Tin admits he’s “not a football guy,” but finds inspiration in basketball, American football, and creative skills content across sports. The key: adapt ideas to your team’s abilities and tactical needs, not just because it looked cool on YouTube.

What Did We Learn?

• Creativity can be coached, but it needs space, buy-in, and repetition.

• The skills ceiling is higher now than ever—our job is to ramp up the “unpredictable” alongside the structural.

• Drills are tools, not straightjackets. Adapt, evolve, and keep an open mind (and maybe an Instagram account for sharing and stealing ideas!).

• Don’t forget defenders—they can be game-breakers, too.

• The future of hockey is multifunctional, creative problem-solvers on every line.

Now read on ↓ or watch the full video to go a bit more in depth…