USA FIEld hockey Programs
Updated on January 12, 2009
Turf Tykes is our youngest skill development program designed for 5-6 year olds. Players move from Turf Tykes to Stick Starz. Turf Tykes is designed for use by recreational programs, boys and girl clubs, elementary schools, YMCA’s and other recreational programs.
Stick Starz is an entry level program designed for 7-11 year olds. The program is based on eight 1-1/2 hour sessions, 45 minutes dedicated to skill development and 45 minutes of fun, small games designed to enhance and reinforce the skill development portion of the program. Good skills start at a young age. The Stick Starz program is based on the skills necessary to develop good, sound field hockey fundamentals.
USA Field Hockey’s talent identification program for promising athletes between the ages of 12 and 19. Athletes train at 11 regional locations learning advanced skills and tactics. Athletes enter the highly competitive program through regional trials, coach’s recommendations or by selection at one of USA Field Hockey’s Partner Camps. As a result of their participation in the program, athletes may be selected to advanced USA Field Hockey programs as part of the Olympic Development pipeline.
In partnership with affiliate members in Miami, Washington DC, Chicago, Colorado Springs and the San Francisco Bay area, USA Field Hockey's Boys' Development Proram has been designed to seed the identification and training of new young male athletes with the intention of building a solid foundation towards a prosperous future for Men's Field Hockey in the United States. In this venture, USA Field Hockey will be partnering with existing youth programs to assist in the development of the U12 playing age range, but also to facilitate the continuation of the good work already in progress in the U16 age group.
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CENTERS
Regionalized training for college age women and field hockey playing men. High Performance Centers identify and train potential National Team athletes through comprehensive training/skill enhancemenT sessions and premier level competitions. The regionally-based centers allow athletes to continue their advanced training at venues close to their places of residence. Through the High Performance Centers, athletes may be selected to their Center’s National Championship team and a chance to compete for a spot on the National Squad.
USA Field Hockey national squads and team members including the Women’s National Team, Men’s National Team, Women’s Junior (U21) Team, Men’s Junior (U21) Team and National Indoor Teams. These are the teams selected and trained by USA Field Hockey to represent the USA at international competitions including the Olympic Games, Pan American Games and field hockey World Cup. The National Teams are the flagship programs of USA Field Hockey and the competition face of the organization.