Hockey: Round the Gate under Pressure

The aim of the game is to try and score goals from about 2m out. The length of the game is approximately 2-3 minutes long and starts on the first whistle and stopped on the second whistle. When the game is stopped it is important that there is a winner on each pitch. In the case of a draw the winner is decided on the throw of a stick (flat or round). Once every pitch has a winner all the winners move up one pitch (so if the player is on pitch 6 he moves to pitch 5). The losers do the opposite, they move one pitch down. The winner on pitch 1 and the loser on the lowest pitch have nowhere to move so they stay on their pitches. Once everyone has moved the game can start again.

Set out cones on lines creating lanes across or down the pitch, each lane approx 2m wide. The player with the ball runs diagonally across the lanes, while the defender has to try and get in front of the player with the ball. Whenever the defender gets into the same lane as the player with the ball, the player with the ball has to change direction and run diagonally across the lanes in the opposite direction. Once the players get to the end of the lanes, the roles reverse.

Three players set up in a triangle formation, with the two attackers as the base of the triangle. The ball carrier is on the left side The ball carrier makes a positive run towards the outside of the defender Player without the ball (support player) runs into space to receive a pass and communicates they are ready to receive the pass The defender should get attracted to the ball and ball carrying attacker. As soon as the defender engages, the ball carrier should pass right to the supporting player

In pairs, both players have a ball. One of the players has to try and make the ball make contact with the other players ball. On achieving this, players roles reverse.

Two attackers run together at the same time with a ball each. Attackers can dribble through any of the three goals. The defender has to choose which player to tackle.

For instance a Right wing (RW) on receiving the ball has to try and beat the Left Defender (LD) to try and get a short corner or score a goal. The (RW) becomes the (LD) and the (LD) goes to the back of the queue.

One player (the defender) stands between two cones and is only allowed to move left or right with stick and body in that area. The player with the ball has to try and cross the area with the ball under control. Once all players are across the area they should pass the ball to the next player who can come back the other way.

The player with the ball starts on the half way line and has to try and go through the area with the defender in and have a shot at goal. The defender is only allowed to defend in the coned area. Tip: alter size of zone to increase/decrease

The player with the ball has to try and get out of the back of the square by dribbling past the defending player. If the player in possession loses the ball then the roles reverse adn the defender becomes the attacker.

Two players run to the ball to gain possession. The player in possession tries to score. The player without the ball is the defender and tries to prevent a goal being scored.

Split the players up into two groups for a relay type exercise which starts with one player from group 1 running with a ball to the goal on the half way line, trying to score a goal. As soon as player 1 has had a shot at goal a player from group 2 runs with a ball to the other goal to try to score a goal. The player that had the first shot (player 1) has to try and defend against the player from group 2. When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender the next player starts from group 1 and the player that has just taken the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended (player 1) goes to the back of theirre queue.

Try and play 1v1 from three different positions. One player at a time rotates clockwise to the back of next group.

The front player in the cones is the attacker and they have to move around to create some space for themselves. They then receive the ball from the player at the front of the queue and have to turn, beat the defender and then shoot at goal. The attacker then becomes the defender, the defender goes to the back of the queue and the person at the front of the queue becomes the attacker.

One player starts 5 metres away from the line, passes the ball to the player on the opposite line. Passing player has to touch behind the line before he/she is allowed to start defending. The player receiving the ball has to try and run the ball, under control, across the back line.

Playing 1v1, try and score. It is important to play at speed and go close round the defender. Defender has to try and get possession of the ball outside the circle. Practice 5 times then change.

- Small unit elimination skills - Ball is bounced into the attacking player - Eliminate player inside small area and then create an outcome - Game play example

Player 1 passes the ball to player 2, player 2 has to try and score. The defender has to start 5 to 10m away from a cone. They have to run round the cone first, before trying to stop player 2 scoring. Defender can run to touch cone as soon as player 1 has passed the ball to player 2. Rotation 1-2-1.

The attacker tries to keep the ball on their strong side. The attacker becomes the new defender and the new defender gets the ball and rotates to the next queue. As soon as the practice is running remove the cones and allow the defenders to try and win the ball anywhere. Both sides can start at the same time.

Players with the ball try and cross the 23m line between the cones the defender is only allowe to defend infront of the line and try and score.

Three players set up in a triangle formation, with the two attackers as the base of the triangle. The ball carrier is on the right side The ball carrier makes a positive run towards the outside of the defender Player without the ball (support player) runs into space to receive a pass and communicates they are ready to receive the pass The defender should get attracted to the ball and ball carrying attacker. As soon as the defender engages, the ball carrier should pass left to the supporting player.