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MISSION

Darien Junior Field Hockey is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organization whose mission is to...

"Offer a fun, positive, inclusive and robust youth field hockey experience which inspires a love of the game, nurtures and cultivates the local talent pool, develops the ‘whole’ athlete and fosters camaraderie across the entire Darien field hockey community.”


OVERVIEW BY GRADE LEVEL

1st/2nd Grade Clinic: First and second graders will be introduced to the sport in a fun, inclusive and positive clinic format. The focus at this age is on effort and all drills are designed for success. Athletes will be familiarized with the stick and ball and introduced to the fundamentals of passing, receiving, dribbling, shooting, and very basic defensive concepts. Players will also explore 1v1 game strategy.  

3rd/4th Grade House: Third and fourth graders will focus on fundamentals and gain a general understanding of basic game play and strategy in an instructional clinic and small-sided scrimmage format.

5th/6th Grade: At this level, players will hone their fundamental skills while developing more consistency under pressure. Athletes will continue to master individual attack and defensive skills while also beginning to develop position-specific skills. 

7th/8th Grade: In this age group, players will refine their technical skills under pressure and explore extra-player defense and offense situations. They will develop proficiency of position-specific skills and field awareness off the ball.

 

Age Group

Anticipated Practice Schedule

Games

1st/2nd House Clinics

Saturday Mornings

n/a

3rd/4th Junior House Program

Saturday Mornings

Sunday Evenings (either clinic or intramural game)

5th/8th House Program Mondays (5th/6th) or Wednesdays (7th/8th) Intramural game on Sunday mornings at DHS

5th/6th Travel Teams

Mondays & Wednesdays

Travel game on weekends

7th/8th Travel Teams 

Tuesdays & Thursdays 

Travel game on weekends