2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum Comes to a Close

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2024 Virtual National Coaches Forum concluded this week, offering two days of world-class learning from top coaches around the globe. Headlined by Alyson Annan, Head Coach of the China Women’s National Team, and Thomas Tichelman, Assistant Coach of the India Men’s National Team and consultant for USA Field Hockey, the event delivered a wealth of valuable insights for coaches at every level.

If you missed the event, recordings are still available for purchase.

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Broadcasting live from Hangzhou, China, where her team was competing in the FIH Hockey Pro League, Alyson Annan kicked off the forum. Fresh off a record-tying silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—China’s first Olympic podium finish in 16 years—Annan reflected on key moments from the Games. She discussed the challenges of adapting to a new culture and team dynamic upon taking the reins as head coach.

Annan’s philosophy emphasized “walking in softly,” spending her initial weeks off the pitch observing and learning about the team, players, staff, and culture. This approach allowed her to build trust and avoid being seen as a disruptive force, which ultimately paid dividends in the team’s success.

She also highlighted the importance of relationship-building and understanding her players. Her concept of “errors of improvement” resonated deeply during her discussions with Craig Parnham, USA Field Hockey’s High Performance Director, as a critical perspective for athlete development. Annan shared her quest to foster joy and confidence in her players, including unconventional methods like incorporating swimming into training routines.

Sean Rapaport, USA Field Hockey’s Director of Umpiring, shared his experiences from the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he officiated the first-ever men’s game featuring both male and female umpires on the field. Rapaport provided a unique perspective on the evolving role of umpires and the value of integrating technology into officiating. He emphasized the importance of using video not just for match referrals but also as a learning tool for reviewing potential misconduct and improving decision-making. Rapaport noted that providing field footage to umpires is as essential as using it for team analysis, ensuring officials remain prepared for scenarios outside normal referral areas.

Additionally, Rapaport reflected on key takeaways from the collegiate season, advocating for standardized training and better collaboration between officials and teams to uphold the integrity of the game.

David Passmore, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, gave an exclusive look into the team’s journey to Olympic qualification and their move to Charlotte, N.C. Passmore emphasized the mental resilience required to navigate numerous challenges both on and off the field.

He outlined five areas where American athletes need further development:

1. Technical Skills Under Pressure: Refining basic techniques like hitting under defensive pressure.
2. Penalty Corner Execution: Developing drag flick skills to compete internationally.
3. Principles-Based Decision-Making: Encouraging athletes to make decisions based on core principles rather than rigid plays.
4. Mental Fortitude: Strengthening athletes’ psychological readiness for high-stakes competition.
5. Team Cohesion: Creating a unified environment that fosters trust and shared goals.

Passmore’s session was packed with actionable advice for coaches looking to elevate their teams to international standards. Take advantage of this opportunity. Elevate Your Game. Ignite Your Team.

Thomas Tichelman, a consultant to USA Field Hockey and former Netherlands’ National Team assistant coach, explored how to design training environments that mimic real-world game scenarios. He emphasized “action fidelity,” replicating the intensity, stress, and unpredictability of matches in practice.

Tichelman advised against replicating the Dutch system outright, urging coaches to adapt its principles to their team’s unique culture and strengths. His session offered an invaluable blueprint for creating impactful training programs, with a focus on long-term athlete development and team success.

The forum’s collegiate roundtable featured Tracey Fuchs (Northwestern), Carolyn King-Robitaille (Saint Anselm), Katharine DeLorenzo (Middlebury), and Hannah Prince (Saint Joseph’s University). The coaches reflected on their most memorable moments of the season, as well as challenges they overcame with the support of their staff.

Fuchs shared insights into what makes a great team and how to foster cohesion, while others emphasized the importance of resilience and adapting to the evolving needs of today’s athletes. The discussion underscored how trust and camaraderie enable teams to focus on collective goals and achieve success.

U.S. Women’s National Team coach goalkeeper coach and two-time Olympic medalist Maddie Hinch delivered an engaging session on coaching goalkeepers. She explained how to design practices that improve reaction time, positional awareness, and decision-making under pressure.

Using video examples, Hinch demonstrated how small adjustments in training can lead to significant improvements in field movement and performance. Her deep expertise, combined with her role as the founder of MH1 (a goalkeeper training platform), provided attendees with invaluable strategies for developing this key position.

If you couldn’t attend the event, don’t worry—you can still benefit from the incredible insights shared by these world-class presenters. Recordings of all sessions are available for purchase here.

The content is gold, with top-tier coaches freely sharing their expertise. Whether you’re a youth, collegiate, or high-performance coach, these recordings will inspire and elevate your coaching practice. Take advantage of this opportunity. Elevate Your Game. Ignite Your Team.