Indian dribble

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The Indian dribble is a field hockey technique, first appearing in the 1956 Olympics. It consists of pushing the ball rapidly from right to left and then from left to right repeatedly. It was named after the superb dribbling skills of the Indian team.

[edit] History

It was introduced by the Indian and the Pakistani teams. This new technique was one of the key points that helped these countries lead the field hockey world at that time. Until the mid 1950s playing the ball on the right hand side was dominant but this changed following a tour by the German National team to Pakistan. In 1954 players studied the Pakistan methods for four weeks, analysing their individual skills at controlling the ball in front of the body. As a result, the “Indian Dribble“ and the shorter Asian blade of sticks were introduced to the German game. Due to the changed position of the ball, and with the help of new blades, players’ behaviour was less predictable. They had a greater variety of passing and deception options.

Although it was a new skill in 1950s, it is now a basic technique.

[edit] Skill

The left hand turns the stick while the right hand guides.
Bring the ball with the hook of the stick from the forehand to the backhand and, using the tip, back again.
Make sure that the stick turns over the ball: across the front of the ball and not behind the ball.
Keep the ball in front of the body.