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Hockey: Tackling in a Crowded Area

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Laura, Hockey Coach

DESCRIPTION

- Set up a rectangular box
- One forward and one defender
- Ball is bounced in, and the forward has to try and use elimination skills to get past the defender
- The defender has try and gain possession of the ball

COACHING POINTS

- The defender should have left foot forward
- Use the body to manipulate the forward's movement
- Defender should be on their toes, and should avoid planting their feet
- Use a jab feint to force the forward to move the ball into a position where you can make a stronger challenge

PROGRESSION

- Increase the box size to practice defenders footwork

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Terminator:

The players each have a ball. On the coaches command the defending team comes in to the area and tries to hit all the balls out. If a player gets his ball hit out then they can stay in and help their team mates by finding space to receive a pass.

Progression: Change the numbers for this drill to 3 defenders with 8 attackers with 8 balls.

Defending Skills

Under pressure:

2 players have to try and pass the ball to each other. While the other 2 players have to close down the player on the ball. The defenders can tackle and intercept. The attackers can move anywhere along the line.

Defending Skills

Tracking Back:

- Ball is fed into a forward on the half way line T- spot
- Two defenders
- One defender is set slightly ahead of the forward
- The second defender is on the half way line, and must run back to assist his team once the initial ball has been fed in

Roles and Responsibilities

1 v 1 - Channelling:

Split your group into two teams - defenders and attackers.

Players with the ball have to run around the cone and try and score. Players without ball also have to run around the cone, and then try and stop the other player scoring.

Defending Skills

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