*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON ***
Coaches Objective:
To teach the attacker to eliminate the defender at speed by enticing the defender into making a challenge before moving the ball at speed away from them.
Purpose:
By beating the defender at high speed, it will set up fast counter attacks or create goal scoring opportunities by eliminating in and around the circle.
The approach line is at the defender (to "stand him up" to force a tackle)
The ball is held at 1 o'clock on the forehand side and the attacker approaches the defender with the body positioned in a way that they can either pass or drag the ball either way, creating indecision in the defenders mind.
The ball is moved relatively slowly right to the reverse stick side of the defender to commit them to one side and encourage them to try and jump in to attempt to make a tackle.
The ball is then moved rapidly across the defender, over to the reverse stick side with the next touch taking it past the defender on their open stick side. This change of tempo defeats the defender’s reaction time therefore the drag to the defender's open side doesn’t have to be too wide.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Summer is the window that decides how your team starts in September. Here is how to build a hockey-specific fitness base with the ball, not just endless running, so players arrive sharp rather than shattered.
Summer is the one time all year players can obsess over their individual skills without a fixture looming. Here is how to turn the off-season into a genuine 1v1 and close-control upgrade.
Video analysis is no longer a luxury reserved for international squads. With a phone, a tripod and a free editing tool, any club coach can build a weekly review habit that transforms how their team learns.