5th-8th Grade Program Information

At this level, we move from the smaller field and play of our 3rd & 4th grade program to the full regulation pitch with 11v11 play. 

We highly recommend both parents and players visit our Field Hockey 101 page to learn more.

DJFH has many players that pick up the stick for the first time to introduce themselves to the sport. For these players, they will quickly learn the basics and develop a love for the game. In addition to the basics, new and veteran players alike 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. As they progress through their time in our senior program, 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.

This is a combined program where all 5th thru 8th grade players will be evaluated and assigned teams. ALL PLAYERS are invited to participate in evaluations.

Two leveled Travel Teams will be selected for each grade (example 5 Blue, 5 White, etc.). Those not selected for, or not interested in playing for a travel team, will be placed on a balanced blended grade teams (5th/6th or 7th/8th).

Given our success in prior years, we may invite other towns teams to play our House Teams on Sundays later in the season, schedules permitting.

More detail on Team Placement & Evaluations can be found below...

The goal of the Darien Junior Field Hockey program is to improve individual and team skills in a competitive environment while fostering a love for the game. 

At the end of the evaluations, every athlete will end up on a team that best suits their skill level and commitment to the program. If your athlete is not selected for a Travel Team, they will automatically be rostered in our Senior House program. An email will be sent with team placement within 7-10 days of evaluations being completed. Athletes selected to travel teams will have 48 hours to accept the invitation and pay in full.  

Both House & Travel rosters will be published in August, just prior to the season. Your coaches will reach out to you then with more detail on the season.

Placement Questions & Feedback: We ask that you please wait at least 48 hours after team placement notifications are released to contact DJFH for questions or feedback about team placement. We recognize this can be an emotional time, and will work with you after the waiting period to address any questions you may have. 

A frequent question after team placement is about movement players. During the evaluation process we make every effort to place players on the team that best suits their level of play.  Generally, we try not to move players after teams have been established. 

EVALUATIONS

Evaluations are not mandatory for those choosing house and opting out of consideration for a travel team. However, to ensure we create balanced house teams it's helpful to have some sense of skill level and ability. It's 100% your decision as to whether you attend evaluations and is the reason we provide an "opt-out" question during the evaluation process.

All athletes that want to be placed on a travel team must attend at least one evaluation. We recognize this is a busy time of year and we know there are conflicts (Hindley Tall & Small, etc.) . We've done our best to avoid as many of them as possible. It's for this reason that we provide two days of evaluations for each grade. Typically, we have a pretty strong sense after one evaluation session where athletes should be placed and then we use the second session to validate or enhance that perspective. 

If there is a reason your daughter is not able to attend at least one of the two scheduled evaluations, please let us know. Please do not email regarding attendance unless you are unable to make both evaluations due to extenuating circumstances. 

We ask that parents not attend or watch evaluations. We promise there's nothing mysterious happening, just field hockey. Evaluations are a time for athletes to showcase their skills independently of parent involvement. We've also found the added pressure of parent spectators, adds unnecessary pressure to ones own child and others on the field of play.

More information can be found on DJFH's Equipment Page regarding what to bring, but here are the highlights.

• Water (required) - It will be warm on the turf and we want to make the most of our time. Please bring water that will be carried from station to station for on-demand hydration.
• Mouthguard (required) - Athletes will not be able to participate without a mouthguard. We will not be providing them.
• Shin Guards (required) - Athletes will not be able to participate without shin guards
• Field Hockey Stick (required) - Athletes will not be able to participate without their own field hockey stick
• Turf Shoes or Cleats (highly recommended) - Agility and the ability to safely move around the turf is very important. We highly recommend turf shoes or cleats.
• Goggles (optional) - Goggles are now optional for field hockey. A few players still choose to wear them, but the vast majority choose not to wear goggles.

Club Gear: Please leave your club gear at home. We do not care which club lacrosse, field hockey, or soccer program you may play for, it will have no bearing on which team you are placed.
 

Evaluation Number & Pinnies: DJFH Will Provide a number that will be attached with safety pins to the front of every athlete's shirt. Please bring that same number to the second session. You do not need to bring or wear a reversible pinnie, as we will provide pinnies as needed at our stations.