The FHBC Technical Development Program is a prescriptive technical skills program designed to complement the technical training programs of Community Clubs and Leagues and deliver a learning experience that is focused on a specific technical skill or skills. The FHBC Technical Development Program offers an optional opportunity for athletes of all ability levels to sign up to a program with a specific prescriptive technical skill set as a focus.
The FHBC Technical Development Program follows a modular curriculum aligned to the National field hockey skills matrix with Program Modules offered on the basis of both single skills (for example – hitting the ball) and complementary skills (such as pushing and receiving). The FHBC Technical Development Program does not play a part in FHBC Athlete Evaluation nor a part in the FHBC Talent Identification Pathway.
While previous Technical Development modules offered through FHBC were designed to cover a wide range of skills and was broad in its delivery, future modules of the program will be more prescriptive in nature with the aim of providing athletes with a greater understanding of each skill – technique and use- therefore helping to increase an athlete’s confidence and improve their ability to execute skills at speed and under pressure.
Focus for the first two program modules for 2023
The first two modules of the year will focus on the technical skill of Receiving. Since the quality of the reception is influenced by the quality of the pass, the complementary skills of push pass, hit, and sweep will all be included.
Technical Development Program Structure
Modules in the Interior and Mainland will be offered in two progressive, four-week blocks designed to improve the skills of the athletes and transition them from the phases of acquisition (acquiring the skills) to performance (performing the skill at speed and under pressure). The Island will combine these two blocks into a 6-session program.
Block 1: Breaking it down to build it back up
An in-depth review of the basic skill to work on technique, and situational use with some introduction to decision-making.
Block 2: Turn up the tempo
Athletes will apply the skills learned in Block 1 to game situations. Athletes should expect an increase in the tempo and complexity to fire up their decision-making skills.
Note: This program is ability-based, therefore the first session will act as an opportunity for the head coach to determine the athletes’ abilities and needs before placing them into the appropriate skill-level group. This may result in some athletes moving from one session into the other within their region for best chance of development.
The Technical Development programs will focus on the development of the field player technical skills, while providing the opportunity for goalkeepers to participate in an integrated program format.
A coach-to-athlete ratio of 1:8 is to be expected each week.
Registration Information
Interior
Kelowna
Block 1
Dates: January 15 – February 5 (4 x 90min sessions) @ CNC
Times: U14/U16 program: 11:15am – 12:45pm; U18 program: 12:45pm – 2:15pm
Cost: $99
Register here: registration closed
Register by January 10th
Block 2
Dates: February 12, February 26, March 5, March 12
(Note: there is no training session during the Family Day Long Weekend)
Times: U14/16s from 11:15am – 12:45pm; U18s from 12:45pm – 2:15pm
Location: Capital News Center, Kelowna
Cost: $99
Register here: http://fhbcprograms.rampregistrations.com/
Register by February 6th
Penticton
Field Hockey BC is also pleased to support Southern Okanagan Field Hockey in Penticton. Athletes in the South Okanagan can join this 7-session program. This program will run January 8th to March 5th, 3:00 – 4:30 @ Adidas Sportsplex.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/pentictonfieldhockey?pli=1
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Island
U18 Male & Female Island Athletes
Thursday January 19 – February 23 (6 sessions), 6:00 – 8:00pm @ UVic
U16/U14 Male & Female Island Athletes
Friday January 20 – February 24 (6 sessions), 6:00 – 8:00pm @ UVic
Cost: $145
Register here: registration closed
Register by January 13th
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Mainland (Surrey)
Block 1
Dates: January 15 – February 5 (4 sessions) @ Tamanawis
Times: U14/U16s 5:00 – 6:30pm; U18s 6:30 – 8pm
Cost: $85
Register here: registration closed
Register by January 10th
Block 2
Dates: February 19, February 26, March 5, March 12
Times: U14/16s from 5:00 – 6:30pm; U18s from 6:30 – 8:00pm
Location: Tamanawis 1 (Upper Field), Surrey
Cost: $85
Register here: http://fhbcprograms.rampregistrations.com/
Register by February 15th
Coaching in the Technical Development Program
Interested in becoming a coach in the Technical Development Program? Contact Patricia Wright-Alexis at patricia@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com for more information.
If there are no programs being currently offered in your area, we would encourage you to reach out to your local club to ascertain whether there are similar opportunities available through the club or whether your club would be willing and able to advocate for the Technical Development Program to be considered for your local community. The alternative is to get in touch with FHBC directly to see what opportunities there may be for such programming in your community and whether planning for such is already underway.