Allowing dangerous drag flicking and the protection offered under the Rules to a defender in front of the goal when a shot is made at the goal is for many hockey followers and players a time bomb

You need to be wise about the hot conditions of training because if not accounted for can lead to heat illnesses

Mazon has always been recognised to be a reputable in goalkeeping (GK) design and technology. This year’s new performance improvements are no exception

Because of hockey rule changes in more recent years the aerial pass as part of one’s skill repertoire has become increasingly important to possess

To gain the most from your pre-season training you also need to get your nutrition routine in place. Here are some tips

It is extremely valuable for junior players as it is for older masters’ players. Improve your hockey performance through greater core stability and strength

Yoga can boost flexibility as well as improve core strength, both key attributes for goalkeepers

The FIH Pro League is intended to be the ground-breaking, new, global hockey competition that is about to begin across the globe. A step into the future?

FIH has recently ‘unpacked’ monumental and highly commendable step forward to growing hockey internationally. It has launched “FIH.live”, a global broadcast platform for hockey. Love it!

The end of hockey is getting near or at least the end of hockey as we know it. Ernest Baart proposes there is a manifest lack of love shown for the game from the decision makers in our sport

Global sports are moving through changing and challenging times. The hockey product on offer is diverse and it needs to be

The pre or early season is an ideal time for a coach to implement Performance Profiling of players to establish a good coaching direction for the season

Without the Obstruction Rule the game of hockey would be disastrous. However how umpires are interpreting it leaves much to be desired. Umpiring blogger Martin Conlon presents a valid case for a rewrite

Earthing (grounding) is an ideal way of treating post game muscle soreness and injuries. Dr Jeff Spencer, a prominent sports medicine specialist states pain reduction is significant with Earthing compared to ice

Players throughout the world have embraced the novelty to the point now where clubs and teams have made adopted these socks as a team identity statement

A skilled player has learnt how to achieve a particular performance goal at almost every attempt, and to do so with minimal waste of physical and mental energy, or time

Nutrient timing adds another layer of complexity to sports nutrition advice as it is concerned not just with WHAT is eaten, but WHEN it is eaten

The festive season down under is also a time for summer vacation and heading to the beach. It is also the perfect place for doing some hockey fitness training

If you are looking to engage in any off season fitness program then it is suggested Pilates is a serious consideration

Renowned ‘hockey addict’ Greg Richards takes us through his journey in looking at 2018 AHL in terms of why it was needed, what was done, what was the result, and now the future.

Their newest innovation TigerTurf Ecocept produces hockey turf materials and construction operations which are described by Hockey Australia journalist, Ben Somerford, as “GROUND BREAKING”

They came from far and wide to attend this year’s Pan Pacific Masters event. The event from all attendees lived up to its theme, Play it, Live it, Love it!

The more we understand what hockey is all about, the better we can cater for the needs of particularly newcomers to the sport. FIH findings are of great importance to there being a better future for hockey

Effective hockey coaches teach players to understand how to look for space, create space, and mark space. It is a major component of training practice

Have you ever wondered about the processes and considerations that go into the development of hockey rules? Umpiring bloggist, Martin Conlon ‘unpacks’ these and shares his views.

It was an eye opener to observe how many older players had been subject to knee surgery. This again reinforces the need to bring to the attention of hockey players, coaches, administrators, parents the importance of preventing knee injuries.

Indoor hockey gloves are a necessity because of the nature of the game and the type of playing surfaces your hands will come in contact with

The best sports teams are made up of players who work together and are willing to make sacrifices. A team with unselfish players who support each other will generally perform better

As a hockey player collagen is the perfect recovery protein that helps to build and repair the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage that are stressed during performance

Calisthenics can benefit both muscular and cardiovascular fitness, balance, agility and coordination. They are easy to perform anywhere anytime.

Being a goalkeeper can be pretty lonely and sometimes you will have very little to do. However, it is critical to stay focused during the whole game

Learning the rules of the game, learning the skills and strategies of indoor hockey can be a challenge for new indoor coaches

Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier recently highlighted that because nearly every scarce high performance dollar goes to funding men’s and women’s national teams there is none to develop up and coming talent

According to Black Sticks coach the new cash injection for Hockey New Zealand means his players can stop living off the smell of an oily rag

Mick Lever is a long time umpire and administrator that has served masters hockey with passion and dedication. He shares his experiences and perspectives after this year’s Australian Masters Championships

Masters hockey continues to grow and flourish. It is a unique opportunity to use the benefits of masters hockey to grow hockey participation across the board if we can only see it

There has been long time talk of replacing the Penalty Corner for many reasons. The Power Play is a starting point for change. Umpiring blogger Martin Conlon presents a valid case

By slowing using a roller over various areas of your body using SMR, speed up the healing, recovery process after your game, and prevent injuries if used prior

Although D3 tape is a kinesiology tape it is also a proven all-weather grip or over grip for hockey sticks

It is a hockey player’s nightmare. Losing your self-confidence is performance detrimental. Here are strategies to combat the issue

What players eat and drink pre-game in preparation for a high intensity hockey game may have a direct effect on their performance

When it comes to improving hockey fitness levels both for performance improvement and injury prevention most people overlook two of the most important parts of their body – their feet

Goalkeepers often only have a split second to react to shots, Therefore it is critical to work on your reflexes both on and off the field

Representing your country is a dream come true. Winning a World Cup or Olympic Gold Medal is unimaginable. However are the ‘rigours required for the Australian team’ becoming recurringly too much or done better

The Brits taught India notably both cricket and hockey. So when India won their gold medal for hockey it was a milestone in India’s Independence history. One of those India renowned players recalls its meaning in his words

The Hockey World Cup is debatably the biggest prize and the most cherished victory in hockey and an arduous task for event organisers. It is important to get key things right

Hockey like other sports has its fair share of politics. Being successful at the 2018 Asian Games is high on the agenda of Asian hockey nations in more ways than one

In a culture that still focuses on results, it is imperative that hockey players are equipped to deal with the trials and triumphs of hockey competition. A growth mindset is imperative

Because the aerial pass is growing in usage the associated rule needs a revamp or at the least a review so that the receiver still has protection but not undue advantage over the opposition as a result

These self -adhesive electro- patches emit small amounts of electrical energy, which helps your body to overcome pain which hockey players do experience

Hockey shoes come under a lot of stress on water and sand based surfaces. To extend the life of your hockey shoes consider Shoe Goo

Possession is everything in hockey so any training or game preparation tip that can help improve trapping skills is worth considering and implementing

Do you want to improve your hockey performance as a result of improved nutritional supplementation to improve hockey fitness? This proven product will

Hill workouts are the ideal fitness regime to improve speed and strength work. Different types or workouts can be used according to your purpose and period of season

How much time and effort do you put into developing your communication skills? Effective, successful coaches are most often effective communicators

Plyometric training can get you ready to make those explosive reactionary saves that are needed to become a successful goalkeeper

Since the inception of Go Hockey News this editor has been writing about the need to deinstitutionalize traditional ideals and values about hockey and deinstitutionalize new ones that take the global sport of hockey from its amateur status to a semi-professional then professional sport. This is in response to changes that have been made in other global sports to
• attract new player participants,
• meet the needs of the modern day spectators in changing game formats and game promotion,
• attracting traditional media involvement to then attract sponsorship dollars
• building extraordinary social media networks and IPTV channels where traditional media is not supportive so that there is avenues to attract sponsorship dollars
• attracting high calibre sport management trained leaders that come with a passion for the sport of hockey and not merely using hockey as a stepping stone to go onto more public supported sports
• creating accountable communication and operational strategies that flow from the top hierarchy down
The list can go on, you only have to ask those entrenched in leading the sport at grass roots level as to how much evidence they see of what are flowing from the plans and strategies developed at the top in a practical way to grassroots hockey below.
Saying all this it was a blessing to see in ‘black and white’ the thoughts of Hockey Queensland CEO, Louisa Begley. Louisa correctly identifies a number of issues facing hockey and outlined above. So I am urging readers to read this if you have not done before or re read it. This is Louisa’s report and plea.
Over the past few months there has been various updates released regarding the proposed changes to the Australian Hockey League (AHL). It has been amazing to observe the reactions these updates have created amongst the hockey fraternity and in particular the passion that exists for our sport.  Hockey is going to need this passion to help it navigate its way through the changes needed to be implemented to make sure hockey has a future in this country.

Nationally, participation in hockey is in decline and despite the successes of the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, hockey does not have a high profile, which means it is very difficult for any level of the sport to attract sponsors or find commercial partners.  Sport in Australia is a highly competitive market and hockey is falling behind the other major sports in its ability to adapt the sport to cater for the demands of a modern society, for example, social competitions, modified rules, mid-week competitions or flexible payment options.  Which makes it more challenging to attract new participants to the game and increase our slice of the sports market.
Hockey Australia’s proposal for AHL this year is the first step in developing a hockey product that will meet the demands of the market for a high-level competition that delivers sports entertainment in a reduced time frame.  The vision is to create a product for hockey that competes with crickets Big Bash, Netball’s National Netball League, Rugby’s Super 7s and AFL’s 9s and a raises the profile of hockey, attracts new people to the game, provides an additional source of revenue and secures a broadcast partner.
The changes being made to the AHL for 2018, allow the sport to trial some of these new innovations so we are ready for the transition into an unknown area for the sport.  12 min quarters are being trialled to allow for the game to meet broadcast requirements and keep the two games in a 3 hour window as recommended for a family audience, the home and away concept is being trialled to give every state an opportunity to host a game and build their “game day” experience, the modifications being proposed for the game aim to build tension and excitement within the audience and develop a real connection with the teams.
No, this is not AHL as we know it.  But it is an opportunity for the sport to put its toe in the water to develop something invigorating and it is only one of a number of strategies being implemented that will address hockey’s declining presence in this country.  What is being proposed is not likely to be the right product and will need to be constantly tweaked over the next few years until it is right, but as a sport we need to take the risk with these ideas as there is a far greater risk to the sport if we don’t. 
What we do need is the hockey fraternity to keep being passionate about the sport, keep providing the feedback needed to get this format right, attend the AHL competition (in Brisbane on the 20th Oct) and encourage everyone to be part of this exciting journey we are all on. 
“REAL HOCKEY.  RE-IMAGINED” is the vision and I invite you all to share in it and shape it 
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​- Lou
My thoughts in response
Louisa has clearly identified and addressed how changes to AHL is part of a necessary change to improve hockey participation numbers because if you do not know it already hockey is under siege especially now that traditional male dominated sports have catered for female participation as well. And guess what they have the money to strip hockey of female participators. But the AHL changes are only part of the picture as she has stated, i.e., ….and it is only one of a number of strategies being implemented that will address hockey’s declining presence in this country. 
I am thankful there is truthful communication happening to the masses and this report is a way of drawing the ‘troops’ together in purpose for the future of hockey but much more can be done even with the limited resources at hand.
Let me say that the needed transformation of the sport of hockey was never meant to be easy but is possible. Why? Other sports have done it or doing it. A T.E.A.M. approach (all levels of hockey management) is unquestionably needed and brought on board. Beginning with a shared upon vision, plan and strategies that are known and communicated effectively to all levels of management for further communication to greater, i.e., all hockey people. Then? With this in place action, involve, monitor, evaluate and communicate some more. This is nothing new in what I am saying except that the grassroots hockey participant and supporter needs to go searching to find these ‘change ingredients’ established by FIH, Hockey Australia etc. It is ‘hazy’ in understanding to them and also there is little downward support from higher management provided in implementation of stated strategies through lower levels of management and finally into the psyche of hockey players and supporters.
Yes the big issues need to be addressed top down but there a number of strategies which can be implemented now at club level. Change solutions can often be an accumulation of a number of smaller steps implemented at club level also whereby there is T.E.A.M. approach (as Louisa says share in it and shape it) through the addition of both a top down approach and bottom up approach.
An example of top down approach which can result in a bottom up gain is at club level how can we strategically educate, lead and support a club as it promotes and works to make hockey a ‘family sport’ as a strategy to increase hockey participation where getting new players is an issue. The answer may be through the provision of community hockey promotion strategies and templates, or ensuring successful case studies of clubs increasing hockey participation numbers are shared with all clubs to consider. Or how can the use of current hockey participant databases or clubs and regional associations build social media platforms to communicate other plans and strategies of FIH, Hockey Australia etc. or attract sponsors which are needed funding to further develop regional / club hockey.

There are hockey people who go above and beyond expectations in their contribution to the development sport of hockey. Public recognition of their efforts is paramount

René Frank, former long serving President of FIH wrote a memorable article entitled the ‘Origins and History of Hockey’, which was published in July, 1972

The Champions Trophy is a historical battle between the top nations. How it pans out will provide insight into possible results forthcoming with the World Cup 2018 programmed for later in the year

The Rule is poorly written and incomplete, giving for example, no meaning or limit to the term ‘advantage’ in the exception – which is not clearly set out as an exception to the Rule.

Your feet form the foundation of the body. Hockey players may often think that it is normal to have sore feet. However faulty foot mechanics can cause extensive foot ailments

Are you looking for an alternative to the conventional combo stick bag or backpack? The new 2018 Hockey duffle backpack is rising in popularity. Their versatility and function ability offer a new experience as a form of hockey luggage

Jinking, Squeezing, and Spinning are three player skills that have emerged in the modern game of hockey. Here are some tips in how to learn

There are many components to performing well. Eating to perform well is one of them. Therefore knowing what to eat is critical. Here are seven foods to consider for inclusion in your diet

In hockey one thing is certain—speed kills. Many different theories expound on improving speed, most centred on improving components of the stride. One method that’s proven effective is performing mini hurdle drills.

Goalkeepers often only have a split second to react to shots, which means that they have to have great reaction time and decision making skill. Practice makes perfect

Performance Analysis can help enhance the coaching process by providing statistical and video information as a result of using Performance Analysis tools

Mark Knowles was given the prestigious honour of leading out the Australian Commonwealth Games team as the flag bearer. In this special moment in time hockey was elevated as a sport also.

FIH believe the Hockey Pro League will transform the landscape of international hockey because hockey fans the world over will be able to watch their favourite sport directly or through the media

It was the making of years of ‘blood, sweat and tears’ for the Black Sticks women to achieve their well-deserved Commonwealth Games gold medal

It was historically to be a hockey game not to miss at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and it lived up to why it was one of the best throughout the entire event

Moving round the pitch with a whistle in your mouth looks just like the umpire has a dummy in the mouth and it gives completely the wrong impression to players and spectators

You won’t need a diagnosis to know when you’re having a cramp. Cramps are common in hockey players and seem to occur more in hot, humid playing conditions which is generally at the start of the hockey season

This is a valuable article previously written by Olympic gold medallist, and now Australian Youth and NSWIS coach Brent Livermore. It is indisputably applicable today for any player striving to become the best in 2018 and beyond

Finding the right type of water to consume before, during and after a hockey game is not easy. Simply using tap water can be detrimental to performance.

Chalking up’ the kilometres to build a strong aerobic fitness base seems like the obvious preseason training to do. Unfortunately this premise is outdated

Goalkeeping is a specialist position that has specific rules that apply to its playing role. What are they?

Taking eleven or more players with individual traits and developing them into a T.E.A.M. is as important as developing skill and game strategies. Doing it at the start of season is best

In a major strategic turnaround Hockey India is fostering the next generation of Indian hockey players, reigniting their one time National game and helping their disadvantaged youth

The work of the staff at The Hockey Museum in England is priceless as they make great inroads into becoming our go to resource for everything about hockey history

One thing that is important in the sport of hockey is to honour players (and officials) who achieved and given back much to their chosen sport

The 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast are at the doorstep. What has gone into the preparation, who are competing, what we can expect, what will be the possible legacy post Games

The popularity of indoor hockey is on the rise. More people are trying it for the first time. What is it all about?

A year or two from now your players will not remember anything you taught them. But forever, they will remember how you made them feel.”

There seems little hope for a goalkeeper to defend when attackers employ obstruction tactics to gain an advantage. Is the equality in penalty shootouts eroding away?

If you are playing summer hockey or indoor hockey the heat can cause some unwanted health conditions. One that is common is a heat rash

Compression socks are tight, compressive forms of clothing, often made out of elastin and nylon, which are designed to enhance recovery. There are many brands in the market. SKINS are a proven track record

It is conclusive that scientific inquiry findings have revealed key ways in which music can influence preparation and competitive performances. Knowing why and what to choose is important

Juicing has many health benefits. Here are five juices that are good for before, during and after your hockey performance.

Doing too much or too little fitness in the off season can be detrimental. An off season hockey fitness program should focus on rebalancing the body. Swimming is a great activity

Whether you are a hockey goalkeeper or a hockey coach, education for improvement is critical. Hockey goalkeeping education resources are not always easy to find in the one location …

It is vital that hockey organisations protect their assets and personnel with adequate insurance. What do we know about hockey insurance and is it adequate?.

India recently paved the way for what may be considered as a possible sport changing opportunity for hockey as a whole. Mixed Hockey 5’s a winner?

As Christmas is a time of ‘giving’ the question is asked what do you get as a present for a hockey lover? Here are some ideas

The annual FIH Hockey Stars Awards are the most prestigious for the global hockey fraternity and you could be there

Here are two great hockey umpiring resources for self -education or for hockey associations to use as an educational tool for teaching new hockey umpires

Heat rash isn’t fun. It always happens at the worst time. It can be an unwanted casualty of playing summer hockey

Indoor hockey sticks and gloves are a necessity because of the nature of the game and the type of playing surfaces your hands will come in contact with. Knowing what to choose and why is important