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Before performing any exercise, it is important to prepare the body by performing an appropriate warm up. Warming up prepares the body for sport performance and can help decrease the risk of injury. The warm up for hockey should be done before every exercise session - whether it be competition games, on the field for training sessions, or gym workouts.

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Example Hockey Game Warm-Up

Field hockey a very demanding sport that requires the body to be in excellent physical condition. The sport involves extended periods of high intensity running interspersed with continuous running. The movements can involve rapid accelerations and change of direction. To get the body prepared for such activities, a thorough warm-up is required.

The warm up should start off at a low intensity, with a gradual progression from general and simple movements to more hockey specific and higher intensity actions. Here is an example of what can be done, but the specifics can be adjusted to suit constraints such as limited space and time, and the conditions.

• 2 laps of the field at a slow run (include running sideways/backwards, lifting knees up and kicking heels backward).
• 10 minutes of stretching - involving dynamic and static stretches.
• 5 × 20m length runs (work from 50% effort sprint to maximal sprint).
• 5 zigzag runs (75% effort).
• Hockey drills such as tackling and passing drills.

Special Considerations

• The goalkeeper has very specific fitness demands. Warmups for the goalkeeper should concentrate on explosive power and flexibility. Prior to matches, the goalie will also do a session in the goals to hone their reflexes.
• If there are extended rest periods where the players are not exercising, for example resting on the sideline, they may have to go through some of these procedures again to keep the muscles and joints ready to safely and consistently perform.

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Related Pages

• Warm up for Sprinting
• Warming Up For Sports
• List of Stretches
• Fitness for Sports section
• Fitness Components for Field Hockey
• Hockey Physiology
• Poll about the fitness components for field hockey