Young hockey players learn from former SA women’s hockey player Louise de Jager
SUNNINGHILL – Former SA women's hockey player, Louise de Jager says hockey was taught with a holistic approach.
Sunninghill was the place to be if you were a budding girls hockey star.
About 30 players from 11 to 13 years old came as far as Mpumalanga to take part in the Investec Hockey Academy at St Peter’s College on 9 and 10 June.
All through the weekend, the astro was kept busy as players practised drills and movements, took shots at goal and learnt advanced techniques.
A major drawcard was that one of the coaches was none other than Louise de Jager, former South African women’s hockey player and now mental and toughness coach.
“We have taken on a holistic approach to what we teach the girls,” she told the Fourways Review.
“We have taught technical skills, pushing, stopping, goal scoring, receiving and tackling on the field but we have also had lessons in the classrooms.”
De Jager said coaches and players sat down to discuss the nutritional and psychological aspects of hockey.
These, she said, included balanced diets and keeping hydrated during matches, as well as maintaining focus and resolve during tough matches.
At the end of the second day, the players competed in mini-games with each other so they could put into practice what they learnt.
By the time the players went home, everyone left having learnt a few things they did not know before.
Also read: Fourways High School hosts a scintillating Spar Hockey Challenge https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/283114/fourways-high-school-hosts-a-scintillating-spar-hockey-challenge/
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