Hockey: Running into Space

Setup the practice as shown. Player runs up to the 2 cones then open stick drags (right to left) the ball and runs to the far cone. Then gives the ball to the next player in line.

The inside team (white) pass the ball around the outside of the small square. At the same time the blue team on the large square are running a relay around the the outside square.

Line up four sets of cones at staggered intervals going forward in a left, right, left, right pattern - with three cones horizontal to the goal at the top and a different coloured cone to mark the end of each line. Players take it in turns to dribble along the lines of cones. When they reach the final cone (red) they perform a pull back. They then lift the ball over the three top cones and then run at the next line of cones. Repeat this for all sets of cones.

Set up four cones in a 5 by 5 metre square. You can have 1 to 4 players working in any one square, each player needs a ball.

Line up four sets of cones at staggered intervals going forward in a left, right, left, right pattern - preferably with a different colour cone to mark the end of each line. Players take it in turns to dribble along the lines of cones. When they reach the final cone (red) they perform a pull back around all the cones before then progressing to the next set of cones on the other side. Repeat this for all sets of cones.

Technique video to show a player performing the pull back skill The player runs forward, before quickly transferring their weight back, pulling the ball backwards and rolling out to the right This is an effective skill, when there is a defender slightly to the right of you as an attacker.

- Two groups - Dribble the ball onto the other players stick - Move off at pace

- Two groups - Practice push pass off both feet - Dribble with the ball, then pass on the move - Strongside to Strongside passes

Player without stick has to try and tag as many players with a ball. When a player has been caught he/she has to stand on the spot with feet apart. He/she can be released by a player who is still in the game, pushing the ball between the feet of the caught player.

Set up a V-shaped set of cones. Players dribble at an angle into the V and then perform a reverse chip hit to lift the ball over the cones. They then run around the cones to regain control of the ball and continue dribbling.

Players run around the outside of the 4 cones with their ball (in the same direction). On the whistle, all players have to run across the square from the side they are on to the opposite side avoiding others.

Players run around the outside of the 4 cones with their ball (in the same direction). On the whistle, all players have to change direction.

4 Teams, 1 ball in each team. The 1st player in each team has to run around the outside of the inside square. Only once they have returned to their starting cone can they give the ball to the next player.

The boxes formed by four cones in this drill should be around 1 meter by 1 meterin size. The first player in each group runs to the ball and continues to run with the ball to the next box, stops the ball in the box and runs on to the end. The next player then runs the ball back to the other box to leave the ball there again for the next player.

Run with ball in straight lines and shoot at goal.

Players run ahead of the ball to receive the ball from behind in the channel of cones. They continue to run with the ball through either the left or the right cones and finish wit ashot at goal.

Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 who passes the ball to player 3. Player 3 passes the ball to player 1 who is running at the ball, turns on receiving the ball and runs into the circle to shoot. The next player 1 passes the ball to 2, but this time player 2 passes to player 4 etc. Player 2 stays and the rest of the players swap each time.

Players in teams have to run the ball to the opposite cone for the next player to run the ball back.

Player runs in figure of 8 around the 2 cones using only their forehand.

Two groups of players start on the back line. Player dribbles with the ball through the cones and shoots at goal from the top of the circle. (Make sure that the shot is from straight in front of the goal, not from an angle, because the shot might hit the group on the other side.) Alternate sides.