NFHCA

Presenter: Mick McKinnon, Coach Educator at Hockey Ireland

Every coach is expected to retain a vast mental repository of knowledge about field hockey. Mr. McKinnon will show coaches how to simplify and formalize their understanding of the game so they can access that knowledge in a quick and efficient manner, which they can use to turn ideas into reality.

Presenters: Cheryl Murtagh, former Head Coach at Northeastern University; Carla Hesler, Head Coach at St. Michael's College; Julie Ryan, Head Coach at Babson College

Cheryl, Carla and Julie will share their thoughts regarding these key characteristics. Areas covered will include strength, fitness and conditioning;mental toughness and leadership; core skills; and key tactical strengths.

Lifts - Cone Drill - Field Hockey Training with West Chester Head Coach Amy Cohen

This 2018 NFHCA Annual Convention package brings you every presentation from this year's expert field hockey coaches.

Presenter: Thomas Newkirk, Partner at Newkirk Zwagerman

Mr. Newkirk will identify the dangers facing today’s coaches and will discuss strategies for addressing these dangers. He will also discuss how a coach can protect herself/himself when a complaint is filed as well as the proactive steps a coach should take during a review or investigation into her/his program.

Taylor presents "Coaching by Numbers" where he shows coaches how statistics can be used to promote fast-flowing hockey, create a detailed analysis of players, and improve teams' efficiency. He shows coaches how to apply data to topics like transfer play, circle positioning, and pressing.

Tracy Warren covers what you need to know about being a professional coach. She discusses a range of need-to-know items, from contract negotiations, to documentation and a lot in between. Warren takes questions from the audience and touches on current high-profile cases that are influencing the coaching profession.

Marlene Bjornsrud's presentation "Where Do We Go from Here? Building a Movement for the Good of the Game." presented by USA Field Hockey and powered by WeCOACH, explores her recent research examining the tough questions facing intercollegiate field hockey and suggests a pathway for growth.

NCAA representative, Jennifer Samble, covers new and pending Division I NCAA compliance legislation and how it applies to NCAA Division I field hockey.

Presenter: Cheryl Murtagh, former Head Coach at Northeastern University

Drawing on decades of experience, Cheryl Murtagh will offer advice on how to develop these three skills in your players, which often prove to be the most fundamental skills of the game. She will show what they should look like and discuss ways to teach them and put them into drills for your coaching plan.

Kapitulik presents "Creating and Sustaining a Championship Culture" to NFHCA Annual Convention attendees. He discusses his experiences at the United States Naval Academy and as a United States Marine Infantry Officer and a Special Operations Officer. Kapitulik will share The Program's model for a championship culture — he will touch on how to find the "best" people for your team, how to find and defend your core values, and the importance of standards and goals.

Presenter: The Program

When adversity hits, how do we respond? How do we identify the standards for being a good team leader? Being a good teammate? The gentlemen from The Program will share how their personal Military Special Ops experiences directly relate to athletics and how to attack adversity.

At the podium, Pitticas presents "Returning to Sport After Illness" — an inspiring story about her journey through illness to Michigan State University where was a field hockey student-athlete.

Dr. Foster will presents "How to Create a Culture that Promotes Mental Health and Removes the Stigma." The presentation assists coaches in developing and supporting a culture that promotes positive approaches to mental health. Dr. Foster provides suggestions for empowering team members regarding mental health and strategies for coaches and their staffs in sustaining a positive mental-health culture.

Learn skills & drills for field hockey shooting from NFHCA certified coach Chris Pothier.

Learn Field Hockey coaching fundamentals in this 7-part workshop series by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. 

On behalf of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), I welcome you to the world of college field hockey recruiting This NFHCA Guide to Recruiting brings you one step closer to finding the right college or university that will best meet your academic, athletic, geographic and financial needs

The benefits of being an informed prospective student-athlete are invaluable in your college decision making By understanding the recruiting policies and guidelines set forth in this document, you can become a prospective student-athlete who asks educated questions on campus visits and in your communications with coaches regarding the recruiting process This Guide will help you understand the differences between Division I, II and III athletics programs; it will help you learn to utilize the NCAA Eligibility Center; and ultimately it will aid in devising a timeline for selecting the best college or university for you I encourage you to be mindful that institutions approach the overall recruitment of each student-athlete differently By seeking accurate answers from each university, you will play an active role in understanding the recruitment, admissions and financial aid process The goal of this guide is to assist you in making the college decision that is best for you

Most importantly, college coaches want to get to know you—the student-athlete It is imperative that you be proactive in contacting coaches to set up visits and that you promote yourself When you enter the world of higher education, being informed, diligent, and playing an active role in your future will be essential to achieving success both on and off the field—so do the same during the recruiting process

Learn Field Hockey coaching fundamentals and how to teach the basics, in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Learn Field Hockey coaching fundamentals and how to teach your players how to be better through meditation and yoga, in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. 

Learn Field Hockey coaching, and how to coach different formations in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Learn Field Hockey coaching fundamentals for defense and decision making in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Learn Field Hockey coaching and how to teach your players penalty corners on both the defensive and offensive sides of the field, in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. 

Learn Field Hockey coaching and how to teach your goalie the fundamentals of goalkeeping, in this video by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.