WINTER INDOOR

Explore this page to learn more about indoor field hockey and discover what SWS has to offer throughout the winter season, including our program structure, training environment, and player development opportunities.

RULES

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DEVELOPMENT

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SEASON OVERVIEW

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RULES • DEVELOPMENT • SEASON OVERVIEW •

ABOUT

    • Indoor Field Hockey Stick: Similar to an outdoor stick, but lighter and thinner

    • Indoor Gloves: Full-finger left hand glove is required, right hand is optional

    • Mouthguard

    • Shinguards

    • Corner Mask

    • Court Shoes: Similar to sneakers, but with better grip and support for quick pivots and changes of direction on indoor surfaces

    • SWS Pinnie: Available on SWS Uniform Store at the beginning of each season

  • Indoor field hockey is played on a hard, smooth indoor court surface (hardwood or synthetic indoor sports flooring). An indoor field hockey court is similar to the size of a basketball court.

    There are metal or wooden boards surrounding lining the sidelines of the court. These boards can be used to play the ball off of, similar to ice hockey.

  • Indoor field hockey is played with 6 players on the court. Typically, teams play with 5 field players and a goalkeeper. In the event that a team does not have a goalkeeper, they can add a 6th field player.

  • While indoor field hockey uses many of the same fundamental skills and techniques as the outdoor game, it is a distinctly different format. Below are some key rules and differences compared to outdoor field hockey.

    No Lifting: Lifting while passing, receiving, or using stick skills is not allowed. Players may only lift the ball for a shot on cage.

    No Backswing: Backswings (drives or slaps) are not permitted in indoor.

    Drilling: You are not allowed to “drill” the ball through a player in a ready defensive position.

    Our coaches place a strong emphasis on understanding the rules of the game, helping athletes make smarter decisions and play more effectively in game situations.

WHY PLAY INDOOR FIELD HOCKEY?

Indoor field hockey is a fast-paced, high-rep version of the outdoor game that keeps athletes constantly involved in play. With a smaller court and fewer players, every moment matters.

This creates an environment that builds technical skill, quick decision-making, and overall game intelligence, perfect for players looking to take their game to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The winter indoor season runs from November to February.

    Teams practice twice per week for 1.5-2 hours. Schedules may vary during the holiday season.

    Teams will participate in 3-5 tournaments throughout the season at local and national events.

  • Initial tryouts for the winter indoor season are held in June. Supplemental tryouts may be held in the fall depending on roster size and availability.

    Follow us on Instagram for the latest tryout announcements and updates.

  • Practice locations vary by team/age level. Here are our current practice locations for winter indoor:

    • Marlton Field House (Marlton, NJ)

    • HotWheelz (Cherry Hill, NJ)

    • The Rink (Edgewater Park, NJ)

  • Each team is led by a dedicated coach who remains with them for the full season.

    Our coaches take a whole-athlete approach, developing technical skills, game IQ, mentality, and confidence both on and off the field.

    Visit our About Us page to learn more about our coaching staff, experience, and approach to player development.

  • Local tournaments are typically within a two-hour travel radius. These tournaments are typically one-day events. In past seasons, we have attended local events at…

    • Viper Sports Club (Royersford, PA)

    • United Sports (Downingtown, PA)

    • Philly Hockey Club (Newtown, PA)

    • West Chester University (Chester County, PA)

    National tournaments are larger-scale events that involve more travel. These tournaments typically include overnight stays and span 2–3 days.

    • Spooky Nook Sports (Manheim, PA)

    • Virginia Beach Sport Center (Virginia Beach, VA)

    • Roland E. Powell Convention Center (Ocean City, MD)

  • The National Indoor Tournament (NIT) is a USA Field Hockey event held each February/March, where teams from across the country compete at the national level.

    For U16 and U19 divisions, teams must first compete in National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers (NITQ) in order to earn a spot at NIT.

    The National Indoor Festival (NIF) is another USA Field Hockey national event, similar in format, but does not require qualification. NIF events are held throughout the indoor season.