Field Hockey: holding up the ball against defence

Feed the ball from the half way line to the player being marked (7). The marked player has to receive the ball and try to keep possession, allowing the 2 supporting players from the half way line to run up. The ball should then be passed to one of the players, who should run into the circle with the ball. The player should then shoot or pass to score a goal.

Player 1 passes the ball back to the supporting player. Player 1 then runs in the opposite direction to which he/she wants to receive the ball. The supporting player plays the ball back, first time, into the space created. Player 1 should time the run so that after receiving the return ball, he/she can play a fast 2v1 with the attacker.

Coach feeds the ball to MM who plays the ball to RD or LD. These in turn play the ball in to the forwards on their side and play 3v2, (defenders have to play man to man marking for the first pass).

Progression - introduce sweeper into the defence and let the MM join in the game after his pass, making it 4v3.

3 blue and 1 white player start from between the gates (2 cones). Set in the specific areas on the pitsh.

Blue 1 starts with the ball and passes the ball to blue player 2 coming out of the gate. The defender (white) can now try to stop the players scoring.

Player 2 passes the ball back to player 3 and the 3 blues continue to the goal and try to score.