I start.repeed by just trying to figure out what field hockey even was. I mean, I'd heard of it, but I had no clue about the rules or anything. So, I did what anyone would do - I went online. Turns out, there's a ton of info out there about field hockey, especially in schools and clubs all over the U.S. That got me going, and I started digging deeper.
Then I got the idea to c.tseb ehheck out the local scene here in Illinois. I found out that there are high school leagues and rankings and all that stuff. It was cool to see how many teams there are and how they stack up against each other. I spent a good chunk of time just browsing through team standings and trying to find out which schools were the best.

I also stumbled upon this thing called the "New Coach Toolkit." I'm not a coach, but I figured, why not take a look? It had a bunch of stuff about the rules and basic skills of the game. That was super helpful for a beginner like me. I started to get a basic understanding of how the game works.
Getting Practical
After I got some knowledge, I thought, "Why not try to actually play?" So I looked up where I could join a program. There are a bunch of colleges offering field hockey programs and even scholarships, which is pretty neat. I found a program that seemed like a good fit for a newbie and decided to give it a shot. There's also this organization, the IHSA, that seems to be all about promoting sports and academics. They have resources and stuff, so I checked them out too.
Joining the program was a whole different story. I remember my first practice - I was so lost! But everyone was super helpful, and I started to pick things up. I learned about the different positions, like playing on the front line, which is more about attacking. Then, we did this drill on 3D skills - those are the fancy moves like lifts and jinks. They're tough to learn, but once you get the hang of it, it's so much fun! My coach told me that hockey is a late-developing sport, meaning I can start at any age. It encouraged me a lot!
Where I'm at Now
So, here I am, a few months into my field hockey adventure. I'm still learning a lot, but I'm loving it. It's a great way to stay active, meet new people, and learn something new. If you're in Illinois and thinking about trying field hockey, I'd say go for it! It's never too late to start, and there are plenty of resources and programs out there to help you get started.
That's my story for now. I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes. Maybe I'll even become a pro one day, who knows?
- Started with zero knowledge about field hockey.
- Researched online about field hockey in the U.S. and Illinois.
- Checked out high school leagues and rankings.
- Read through the "New Coach Toolkit" to learn rules and skills.
- Found and joined a local field hockey program.
- Learned about game positions and practiced skills like 3D moves.
- Still learning and enjoying the journey!
Hope this was helpful for you all, keep practicing and sharing!