Receiving skills

Siegfried Aikman is the current head coach for the Japanese men, the Samurai. A coach who’s team was already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics as the host country, but nevertheless earned their participation on the field of play. Aikman has coached for many years in the Dutch hoofdklasse before taking on the challenge in Japan. He is also recognised as one of the leading coach educators for both the Asian federation as well as FIH Academy.

Unlocking the Power of Receiving: Insights from Siegfried Aikman on Elite Field Hockey Skills

In the fast-evolving world of elite field hockey, the technical nuances of receiving the ball have become a signature differentiator among top international teams. In this well-attended webinar for The Hockey Site, Japanese Men’s National Team Head Coach Siegfried Aikman stepped up as the expert guest, sharing deep insights about “the power of receiving.” Hosted by Ernst Baart, this session not only addressed the mechanics of receiving but also the central philosophy that receiving is about far more than merely stopping the ball. For coaches accustomed to focusing on passing, defensive structure, or attacking plays, this conversation highlighted why the moment of reception is so pivotal—that it is the platform from which every high-impact action or decisive error emerges.

Siegfried’s global perspective, developed through his experience coaching teams at the highest international level, sets the foundation for this rich exploration. What follows is an extensive summary of the key topics he covered, followed by a digest of the vibrant Q&A. The aim: to equip experienced coaches with actionable frameworks for taking their teams’ receiving abilities to world-class standards.

The Real Definition of Receiving

Siegfried Aikman begins by challenging conventional terminology: in modern hockey, the notion of “stopping” the ball is nearly obsolete (04:43). Aside from penalty corner routines, where a true “stopper” is required, elite-level receiving is fundamentally about preparing for—and accelerating into—the next action. This means that the reception is rarely static; instead, players must always be on the move, using their first touch to generate options rather than simply control possession (04:48).

In Siegfried’s philosophy, every act of receiving is a step toward increasing time and space for the recipient and their team. The emphasis is not on trapping, but on dynamically manipulating the ball, body, and angles to either attack, maintain possession, or set up the next play.

Receiving and the Goalkeeper’s Expanded Role

He extends this concept to goalkeepers (05:30), advocating that they too should be trained as “passers” rather than stoppers. Drawing inspiration from football, Siegfried suggests that keepers are well-placed to initiate counterattacks and that modern keepers must be adept at using their hands, feet, and equipment not just to block, but to gather and distribute efficiently, always with the next attacking move in mind.

This systemic view reframes the goalkeeper’s technical training. Instead of simply focusing on keeping the ball out, training should include controlled receiving and passing with intent, thereby transforming defensive moments into the first step toward an effective transition.

Open, Semi-Open, and Closed Receiving

Aikman categorizes receiving into three tactical types, each defined by foot, body, and head orientation (17:00). An open receive aligns feet and face towards the opponent’s goal—an essential attacking reception in which the player is always positioned to move forward. The semi-open receive positions the body towards the sideline, granting a 180-degree view that balances attacking options with retention, useful in midfield transitions and when centrally located.

The closed receive, by contrast, is reserved for playing under pressure, often with intentions to reset and play backwards. Here, the player’s view is more limited, and the main focus is on protecting the ball and controlling possession until space or support emerges. Siegfried points out that understanding when to use each type, and transitioning fluidly between them, is a hallmark of top-level hockey.

The Centrality of Pre-Scanning

Underlying all forms of receiving is pre-scanning: players must visually survey the field before, during, and immediately after receiving the ball (11:16). This is a non-negotiable part of technical development. Elite receivers are always aware of options, defenders, and space—allowing them to select the ideal receiving posture and immediately execute the next action, whether that is a quick pass, dribble, or shot.

Structured pre-scanning drills and vision training are therefore essential, and Siegfried shares that he incorporates visual awareness exercises and competitive elements—such as copying teammates or tracking rivals during technical drills—to reinforce these habits.

Why Limiting Touches Matters

Referencing the late football legend Johan Cruyff, Siegfried underscores the efficiency of one-touch and two-touch hockey (16:04). The fewer touches required to control and move the ball, the more time and space the recipient creates and the less likely it is that defensive pressure will be effective. In training sessions, Siegfried insists on maximum two-touch exercises to reinforce the importance of decision-making at the point of reception.

Three or more touches, particularly when trying to control the ball, are signs of trouble—delayed action, slower transitions, and increased risk of turnovers. Therefore, mastering the capacity to control and play quickly under pressure, whether through a pass, dribble, or shot, should be a primary target for elite player development.

Footwork and Body Mechanics

Siegfried draws parallels with basketball’s concepts of pivoting, advocating that hockey receivers develop exceptional agility and spatial awareness (27:28). The ability to adjust foot position, attack or retreat from the ball, and dynamically alter angles frustrates pressing defenders and enables the ball carrier to maintain numerous options even under high pressure. By extension, footwork drills, pivoting exercises, and multi-directional movement sessions are embedded in progressive technical programs.

Ambidexterity in Receiving

Siegfried is unequivocal: modern players must be equally comfortable receiving on forehand or backhand (35:03). This extends to the expectation for open and semi-open receptions on the reverse, especially for forwards running linear lines or receiving in wide channels. This two-sided proficiency sharply increases a team’s attacking unpredictability and adaptability.

Special attention is accorded to the nuances of first-touch directionality, such as “deflecting the ball diagonally between two pressing defenders” to exploit their hesitation (36:23), or lifting the ball with a 3D skill as part of the receiving motion to bypass a low block tackle (51:20). Such skills, while technically advanced, must be purposefully integrated into physical and small-sided training environments to ensure transferability into matches.

High Ball Reception and Body Placement

Receiving aerial passes—a growing element in the modern international game—demands precise body alignment for optimal control (41:48). Siegfried prefers the ball is received with the body (and especially the visual focus) directly behind it, maximizing hand-eye coordination and reducing the likelihood of deflections or turnovers. The angle of the stick face, engagement of the elbows as “shock breakers,” and attention to ball trajectory are all vital in controlling high and bouncing balls, on either side of the body.

Dynamic Small-Sided Training

Perhaps Siegfried’s greatest practical contribution lies in his advocacy for near-exclusive use of small-sided games in technical and tactical training (30:58). He starts sessions with rondos (5v2, 6v3, etc.), where the key is not only passing but constant movement—stimulating real-game demands for tracking, following passes, and keeping actions unpredictable.

Drills are typically eschewed in favor of game-like, competitive environments. Nevertheless, when used, technical elements are embedded: for instance, use of crazy catch nets, deflection boards, heavy balls, or “egg balls” to challenge reception under adverse conditions (53:43). The objective is always to simulate true match pressure and force rapid, high-quality technical and tactical decisions.

Building Decision-Making and Individual Feedback into Games

Siegfried emphasizes the value of individual, in-the-moment feedback (38:36). Instead of stopping sessions for group lectures, he takes players aside during games to deliver technical or tactical adjustments, then watches their response. This personalization—tailoring advice to exact situations and observing the results—builds both trust and behavioral change. Positive reinforcement is also crucial; feedback is intentional, followed up, and always checked for transfer.

Reception versus Dribble and Number of Touches

In response to coach questions, Siegfried clarifies that receiving ends at the moment of controlled ball contact after a pass (21:03). Dribbling commences as an active movement with possession. Thus, coaching should focus on mastering first and second touches during receipt, aiming for progression to movement or pass as fluidly as possible.

Moving Towards or Away From the Ball

Movement relative to the ball is situational. Generally, moving toward the ball when receiving changes the pressing defender’s angles and creates separation (23:07). However, moving away (even retreating) can be used to draw out defenders and create additional space. Key is intentional angle manipulation and position, frequently revisited through rotational footwork and basketball-style pivots (27:28).

Incorporating Backhand and One-Handed Receives

Backhand receipts, even one-handed, are essential for the modern athlete. Footwork and body placement remain essential, and players must follow the ball’s momentum, using their bodyweight on the forefoot to “walk” with the ball, rather than attempting to block it (47:51). This maximizes control and protects against deflections that can result in turnovers or fouls.

Stick Grip for Receiving

Asked about grip, Siegfried shares that the stick should be held firmly but not rigidly (49:24). Too loose and the stick rotates; too rigid and the ball bounces away. Elbows are used as natural “shock absorbers,” softening heavy passes and permitting finer control.

3D Skills and Receiving

Integrating 3D skills—such as lifting the ball after the first touch—should be part of a top player’s arsenal (51:20). One-touch lifts over incoming tackles provide a crucial weapon for eliminating aggressive, well-positioned opponents.

Drills Within Small-Sided Games

Siegfried integrates technical focuses within small-sided formats. For example, if the training goal is left-to-right transfer passes, the small-sided game scenario requires winning teams to execute those passes upon turnover. The individual technical or tactical feedback is given in situ, supporting learning in a dynamic, context-relevant manner (01:02:42).

Siegfried Aikman’s masterclass reveals that the art of receiving underpins modern field hockey’s technical and tactical growth. For experienced coaches, his most significant advice is to shift the perception of receiving from a passive to a dominant, pro-active act—a launchpad for all attacking and maintaining phases, rather than simply an act of “stopping” the ball.

Key Takeaways

For the comprehensive video demonstration, Q&A, and to dig deeper into Siegfried’s examples—including video breakdowns of elite international play—coaches are encouraged to watch the full webinar on demand. It’s a masterclass in technical progression, tactical intelligence, and practical training methods, straight from one of the game’s modern international coaching leaders.