Hockey: Making Space

A. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. B. Player 1 then follows his/her own pass. C. Player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 for a wall pass back in the space D. Player 2 runs onto the ball and has a shot at goal.

Player 1 dribbles across the square. Player 2 starts without the ball and takes over possession and carries on dribbling across.

Moving back and forth between two cones players make straight and diagonal passes to each other while moving.

2 v 2 in the box, keeping the ball in a directional rondo with 1 player at either end of the box. 2 Players work inside the box to keep it with the 2 out the box. If the defenders intercept or tackle they swap to the ball players to work with the 2 outside.  2 on the outside of the box can go left to right to move to receive the ball and can play through the box to each other. They cannot be tackled.

Player 1 passes the ball to 2 who in turn passes it to 3 on the run. Player 3 then runs round the cone anti-clockwise before passing the ball to player 1. Player 1 then again passes to 2 who in turn passes to 3 who then runs clockwise round the cone and then passes back to 1.

- Three lines - Ball starts in the middle - Player makes a pass and then runs behind the player they have just passed to - Periodic passing pattern - Finish with a shot at goal

Pass the ball around in groups of three. Before receiving the ball players must make a movement towards the approaching ball and let it roll past their body before they receive it and pass it on to the next player.

3 teams of 2, with 2 of the teams working together to keep the ball from the defending team in the marked area. If the defenders intercept or tackle they swap to become attackers with the team that lost the ball. Team that lost the ball are now defenders. 

3 teams of 4 with 2 working together to keep the ball away from the other. 1 team is on the outside and 1 in the middle, making it an 8 v 4 possession game.  The defensive team is aiming to win the ball, if they do they work with the team on the outside. Progression: If the defence win the ball, they carry the ball out of the box to kill the ball. Teams that lost possession do 10 press-ups.

Player 1 passes the ball to player 2, who lets the ball run across the body and runs with the ball to the next cone. He or she dummies to hit the pass wide but hits it under the arm into the path of player 3 running infield. Player 3 receives the ball on the move and shoots at goal. Rotation 1-2,2-3,3-1

Aerial pass or flick is useful when passing over distance or to try and get the ball over an opponent who is blocking your passing route. Left hand should be pointed at target, knees bent, head over the ball and feet wide apart. Drop the right shoulder and transfer your weight forward, bringing through head of the stick under and behind the ball. Left hand comes through first and then the right hand to lift and guide pass. After lifting the ball body and arms should continue to move forward and end up pointing at passing target.

- Performing the aerial pass in pairs - Stand around half a stick length away from the ball - Step into the movement with left foot in line with the ball - Keep head still and over the ball - The head of the stick should come underneath the ball, using a pushing motion at a 45 degree angle - Hand position should be similar to an upright push pass

- Performing the aerial pass - Players should practice this technique in 3's, with one of the players standing between the other 2 - One of the outside players should attempt to aerial the ball over the player in the middle, to the other outside player - Rotate the player in the middle as necessary

- Receiving the aerial pass - The body should be put behind the ball - Ball should be taken on the head of the stick - Once the initial aerial has been cushioned, the ball should be steadied quickly to allow the next pass to be played quickly

Teams of 4 try and pass the ball across the pitch as quickly as possible, not missing any players out. Each player should at least touch the ball twice. The first team to pass the ball 10 times across the pitch is the winner.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Objective:  To get the attacking player to receive and roll strong, away from the tackling defender. Purpose:  Rolling/peeling away from the defender is a relatively low risk strategy to consolidate possession and eliminate.  Structure:  Pairs or Groups of 3 (potential to add in passive/active defender)  

5 Players, 2 balls. The player in the middle has to pass the ball from a player behind to player in front, first on the right and then on the left. First exercise standing still, then whilst moving up the pitch. IMPORTANT that the outside players stay in square and keep the 5th player in the middle.

Player 1 runs into the space to receive the ball from player 2 who: Can hit or push the ball Can give an aerial ball into the space. The player looking to receive the ball then runs into the circle and shoots.

- 5 yard square - 3 forwards and 2 defenders - Forwards must stay on the outside of the square - Defenders cannot leave the square or tackle the player in possession - Forwards around the square can move around - If a defender intercepts the ball, they should swap with the forward who made the pass