Pick up a hockey stick again
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Field hockey clubs run relaxed sessions for people who have not played for years or never have, with coached skills and then small-sided games. Walking hockey keeps the stick work and drops the running.
ModerateUnder £100 / $130A few weeksOutdoorsWith othersUK and US
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What a first session is like
England Hockey describes Back to Hockey as fun, social and informal, for people who have not played for several years or are playing for the first time. Coaches lead skills work, then small-sided friendly games; some clubs follow with coffee and cake.
Walking hockey is the gentler version. England Hockey says it suits newcomers, people who have not played for a while and people who stopped through injury. USA Field Hockey's walking hockey guide sets out the rules. Everyone walks, keeping at least one foot on the ground. The ball stays below knee height and there is no physical contact. The guide suggests five a side on an area 25 yards wide by 30 yards long (about 23 by 27 metres).
Clubs often lend kit. Henley Hockey Club provides sticks and shin pads if needed and recommends a mouthguard. Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club in New Malden, south-west London, lends a stick, shin pads, shirt and socks to newcomers. USA Field Hockey's guide lists shin guards and mouthguards as optional for walking hockey, and says larger, lighter balls reduce the need for shin guards.
Ways in compared
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Henley Hockey Club, Jubilee Park, Henley | Back2Hockey; low-pressure and friendly, Saturdays 9am to 10am (summer 2026 run) | First session free, then £30 for the summer |
| Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club, New Malden, London | Women's club; Back to Hockey session, then Wednesday training | Three free sessions; membership fees not shown on the page |
| City of Dover, Delaware | Indoor winter adult co-ed league, Sundays at the Pitts Center (2025-26 season) | $290 a team |
| USA Field Hockey | Adult membership, needed for some adult events | $30 a year |
England Hockey's walking hockey page notes that sessions may not be available nearby, so ask clubs on its finder whether they run one. Dover's 2025-26 flyer listed a separate women's adult league at $360 a team.
How to start
- Use England Hockey's club finder in England, or USA Field Hockey's club finder in the US, and ask about Back to Hockey or walking hockey sessions.
- Ask whether the club lends sticks and shin pads; several do for newcomers, and some give the first sessions free.
- Wear sports clothes and trainers without studs, and ask the club what protection it expects, such as a mouthguard.
Where to go
- England Hockey: Back to Hockey UK
- England Hockey: walking hockey UK
- USA Field Hockey: walking hockey US
- City of Dover: indoor field hockey leagues (Delaware) US
We opened these links on 11 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
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Plan it yourself Free
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Plan it with dates
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
What is Back to Hockey?
England Hockey's informal sessions for people who have not played for several years or are new to the game, with coached skills followed by small-sided games.
What are the rules of walking hockey?
USA Field Hockey's guide says players must walk, keep the ball below knee height and avoid physical contact, usually five a side.
Do I need my own hockey stick to start?
Not always. Henley Hockey Club provides sticks and shin pads if needed, and Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club lends a stick and shin pads to newcomers.
Do you need a mouthguard for hockey?
Henley Hockey Club recommends one for its Back2Hockey sessions. USA Field Hockey's walking hockey guide lists mouthguards as optional. Ask your club.
Where this comes from: England Hockey, Back to Hockey; England Hockey, Walking Hockey; England Hockey, What is walking hockey?; USA Field Hockey, Walking Hockey; USA Field Hockey, Walking Hockey guide (PDF); USA Field Hockey, Membership; Henley Hockey Club, Back2Hockey summer season; Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club, Back to Hockey; City of Dover, Field hockey leagues; City of Dover, 2025-26 Indoor Winter Field Hockey (PDF); England Hockey, International Women's Day – Jean Fitch's lifelong love of hockey. Opened 11 November 2026.
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