Hockey: 9 Zone: Passive Defending

Set up with cones set out in a square 10m x 10m, and inside the square have two teams of three players each, and one ball between them. The aim of the game is for each team to make as many one touch (wall) passes as possible. Every wall pass is awarded 1 point.

- 3 vs 3 - Small goals either end of an area - Ball must be taken through the goal under control - Once a goal has been scored, the opposite team gain possession

Game with 4 goals - where each team has two goals in which they can score. Make sure that the distance between the 2 goals encourages the player to change the point of attack.

2 teams play a 6v6 game, with a left and a right central zone marked out with cones. In each of the central zones there should be 1 player from each team. Players who are defending (on both teams) can only stay in their starting zones, whereas players who are attacking can run across zones to support the attack and create the overloads (2v1).

Set-up the pitch as shown. Place one player from each side in the opposite End Zone. Players have to try and get the ball to the player in the End Zone for them to then score a goal. Only the designated players are allowed in the End Zone.

- Pitch split into 6 zones - 6 outfield players - Use of goalkeepers beneficial to drill - Play across half a pitch - Pass at right angles (90 ball) between the boxes - When the final player receives a pass, they should attempt to score a goal - Once shot has been taken, reset the drill from the end where the shot has just been taken from

- 6 on 6 drill - Split a half pitch into 6 sections - A forward and a defender should be in each section - Defenders can only intercept the ball (no tackling) - Players must stay in there given section

- Pitch split into 9 zones (3 x 3) - 6 vs 6 - Multiple players from each team in one area - Forwards (white) can dribble ball from one area to another - Defenders (red) can tackle - Players should post between the different areas to move up the pitch -If ball is turned over, drill continues, with the red team becoming the forwards and the white team becoming the defenders

- Pitch split into 9 zones (3 x 3) - 6 players - Players should post between the different areas to move up the pitch - Can pass through an entire box  i.e. left wing all the way to right wing

- Pitch split into 9 zones (3 x 3) - 6 vs 6 - Can only ever have one forward and one defender in each area - Forwards (white) cannot dribble ball from one area to another - Defenders (red) cannot make a challenge, only intercept passes - Players should post between the different areas to move up the pitch -If ball is turned over, drill continues, with the red team becoming the forwards and the white team becoming the defenders

One of the players on the half way line passes the ball back to the two central defenders (7 and 8) The midfielder may then make him/herself available. The aim is to try and score a goal but try to attack round the outside The two attackers (1 and 2 are being man to man marked. Defenders are not allowed out of the half.

- 6 on 6 - Approximately half pitch game played across the length - Full size D should be used (project onto the other goal) - High intensity

- 5 vs 5 - Played in small area with marked D's - Must have 2 players in the D whilst defending - High intensity drill

- 5 vs 5 - Played in small area with marked D's - High intensity drill - Players can only score by pushing/flicking the ball

The aim of this exercise is to encourage the players to attack down the wings. The attacking team is not allowed to pass or attack through the zone. Defenders, on winning the ball, have to try and get the ball out of the 23m area, also wide of the zone.

Setup as shown. Get players into pairs and give the pair a bib, with the next pair a different colour. Red players can only tackle gold and blue players can only tackle white players. The aim of the game is for players to score in the goals. On the whistle the people that the pairs are marking changes so it might be red players mark white and blue mark gold players.

Divide your players into two teams of 6 and split the pitch into 3 areas with each area being approximately 15 meters in height. The condition for this game is that 2 players from both teams have to stay in the top third of the pitch (the opposition's scoring area) and cannot run back to offer support in the defence. This creates the 5v3 overload situation and should result in a high scoring game.

2 equal teams in the circle and lots of balls on both side lines. The coach calls out a team. 1 of the players has to run to one of the sidelines and take the freehit. All the other players have to run to the 23 metre line before they can get involved. After each break down or shot at goal, coach calls out the next team.

One team attacks and the other defends. The attacking team will stay on the attack until the defending team carries the ball, under control, over the half way line. At that moment the defending team becomes the attacking team and vice versa.

2 teams try and score by running the ball into the scoring zone. Rules are: You can only pass the ball back of square. The defensive players are not allowed to go beyond the line of the ball. For the rest of the time, players can run with the ball and tackle.