This setup is simple and provides a routine for young children to get used to at the start of sessions. There are endless variations you can create, but the suggestion is to always have a ladder at the start (made with hockey sticks facing down), followed by a race that begins with a hi-5. 5-8 kids per line x 2/4/6 lines so there is always another team to race against. Ladder variations: left / right / left, hopping 1/2 feet (kangaroos), sideways (crabs), hands & feet (monkeys), high knees (emus), backwards (sneaky cats), zig zag (bees), sideshuffle zig zag etc. Race Back Variations: 1) Run, run backwards, hands and feet, hands on head... 2) Touch the cones - zig zag, backwards zig-zag... 3) Aorund the cone, replace a ball on the cone (everyone has a ball in hand throughout race), turn the cone upside down, put the cone on your head and do a twirl... GET CREATIVE & ASK THE KIDS FOR THEIR INPUT!
Take your time during the ladders, and only race after the Hi5: Footwork should be practiced at a speed that makes it correct and clean. Agility and explosive power should be done with maximum speed.
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
sportplan_hockey
The best hockey players in the world do not just react faster; they scan more frequently and process information before the ball arrives. This article explores the science behind scanning, how to coach spatial awareness as a habit, and practical drills that force players to lift their heads and read the game.
In hockey, you can only score from inside the circle. Getting the ball into the D with purpose and creating genuine shooting chances is the hardest part of attack. This article examines the different types of circle entry, why entry angle determines shot quality, and how to train your team to penetrate the most congested area on the pitch.
The best teams don't just press - they press at the right moment. Here's how to train your players to read the cues.
