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Field Hockey: Far Post Deflection

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Steve, Clayesmore Prep School

DESCRIPTION

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON ***

Objective: Players to be in the correct position when deflecting a ball at the back post.
Purpose: Increase the chances of connecting with the ball and therefore scoring a goal.
Set-up:

A midfield passer will start with the ball and wait for an attacker to make a run on the edge of the D.
Attacker will initially run towards the passer to show for the ball, then peel off, aiming their run towards the baseline.
At this point, the passer will play the ball into the attackers path and the far post attacker will start their run towards the far post.
Attacker with the ball will hit a cross in the direction of the far post.
The far post attacker should be in a set position and attempt to deflect the cross into the goal.

COACHING POINTS

Far post attacker should be in a set position at the time which the cross is struck.
They need to be squatted, low to the ground with the stick in the middle of the stance. This will shorten to movement required to connect with the ball and increase the chances of a successful deflection.
Attacker crossing the ball should aim to stroke the ball in the direction of the far post.

PROGRESSION

Add in a defender to follow the attacking runner crossing the ball.
Make the far post attacker delay the timing of their run, to emphasise the urgency to get in a set position as quickly as possible.

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Attacking the D - Building Skills into a Match Situation

The pass into the circle is determined by the lead of the attackers and the movement of the defender. Work on decision-making in the final third to improve success rate around the circle.

OFTEN USED WITH...

Receive Back:

Practice starts with player 3 passing the ball to player 2. Who in turn passes the ball to player 1.
Player 3 has run towards the top of the circle to receive the ball form player 1 and shoots at goal.

Rotation of players - 1 moves to 2, 2 moves to 3, 3 moves to 1.

Movement off the ball

Attacking the circle:

Player 1 runs down the wing to then pass the ball backwards of square to player . He in turn gives the ball to player 3, who has run into the circle and then come out to receive the ball. Player 3 then plays a 1v1 with the defender.

Rotation 1 to 2, 2-3, 3-1.

Same down the right wing.

Shooting & Goalscoring

Creating Space to Receive the Ball:

Player 3 runs into the channel. At the same time player 1 passes the ball to player 2. Player 3 has to time the run, so they can run out of the channel once player 2 is ready to pass the ball, not before. Again it is important that player 3 should not have to slow down to receive the ball, and should take the ball while continuing to run and shoot at goal.

Movement off the ball

Attacking Shoulder of D:

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON ***

Objective: Players to make the correct decision in attacking situations and ensure correct attackers are in correct position to affect the game.
Purpose: Increase the chances of threatening the opposition goal and coming away with a positive result.
Set-up:

Midfielder plays ball across the pitch from left to right.
Receiving midfielder will start to carry the ball forward and should threaten to play the ball directly into the D.
Attacker runner on the D will initially run towards the passer to show for the ball, then peel off, aiming their run towards the baseline.
A defender will decide whether to follow the attacking runner or block the ball from the receiving midfielder going into the D.
The pass that receiving midfielder makes, should be influenced by the defenders movement as to where the space is.
2 attackers in the D should initially look for a deflection if the ball is flung directly into the D. If the ball is played to the attacker running the D, they should reposition themselves to receive a pass or be at the far post for a deflection.

Shooting & Goalscoring

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