Hockey: Positional Play under Pressure

Player 1 starts dribbling, player 4 makes a move to the right/left and there is a short wallpass between 1 and 4. After containing the ball it is passed to palyer 2 and then they start off and player 1 takes their place, and so on.

White Player 1 dribbles with the ball to the blue cone before passing the ball through the red gates. Red player 1 receives the ball once it has gone through the gate and then repeats the practice in the opposite direction.

Set up a square grid 5x5m with one player in the middle and 3 players on the outside and one player passing the ball into the player in the centre of the grid. Players on the outside cannot intercept the ball coming into the grid they can only try to stop the player in the middle coming out of the grid. The players on the outside of the grid can only enter the grid once the player has received the ball.

Coach's objective: To promote forward vision and awareness of space Purpose: To escape through the free gate Structure: Players work in threes. The receiver collects a pass from behind. As the pass is played, the defender moves from their starting cone through either of the gates in an attempt to tackle the receiver. The receiver must run through the unmarked gate with the ball under control

The defender runs through one of the two gates and attempts to tackle the ball carrier. The defender may only close down after the passer has rounded the cone. Purpose : To escape through one of the gates

Coach's objective: To promote forward vision and awareness of space Purpose: To escape through the free gate Structure: Players work in threes. The receiver collects a pass from behind. As the pass is played, the defender moves from their starting cone through either of the gates in an attempt to tackle the receiver. The receiver must run through the unmarked gate with the ball under control

- Passing and Receiving the ball on the 45 (degree) - Moving the ball into space - A feeder moves forward, passing the ball into a static forward - Defender must move around one of the flags and put pressure on the forward - Forward should move the ball into the space vacated by the defenders movement

This drill focuses on quick delivery of the ball into the circle. Midfielder passes the ball into player in a wide position who uses the pace of the pass to deflect the ball into an attacker making a run in the circle.  Attacker receiving the ball in the circle, should shape their run to create space where the ball is going to be played into. Attacker should then look to put a ball across the goal. 

Player 1 passes the ball into player 2 in the square. With the first touch try and get the ball out of the square. Outside players stay out but can move anywhere around the outside. Player needs to be the player in the middle getting out

Set up as shown 10m long by 6m. (Place cones at each end. Player 1 pushes the ball through the cones. Player 2 receives the pass and with their 1st touch puts ball to the right of the right cone and then pushes the ball through the opposite cones. Player 1 receives and with their 1st touch puts the ball to the right of the right cone and repeats.

2 players one ball. Player passes the ball to the other player who has to first touch the ball into a passing position on the other side of the cone and passes the ball back to the other player.

- Picking the ball up on the move - Receiving the ball on the strongside - Changing direction from original post

One player passes the ball away from cone. Other player receive using first touch to move ball towards the cone then vice versa.

Players pass and control ball on stick, forehand to forehand. Ball is not allowed to bounce off the stick.

2 Players transfer the ball from left to right at the same time. IMPORTANT to receive the ball from the player on the left he/she should move closer to the passer. On receiving the ball, the first touch should be played towards the intended pass etc;

1 ball between 2. Players have to pass the ball to each other through a gate. Using a different gate each time. The whole group should be working at the same time

The inside player passes the ball to their partner on the outside. The inside player then moves clockwise to receive the ball back via a wall pass from the outside player. The inside player then runs clockwise to pass the ball to the next player on the outside Practice continues.

The inside player passes the ball to their partner on the outside. The inside player then moves anticlockwise to receive the ball back via a wall pass from the outside player. After the inside player receives the ball back they give it once more to the outside player This time the outside player runs into the inside position and the inside player runs to the outside position. (players reverse roles). Practice continues.

Player 1 starts dribbling, player 2 asks for the ball, player 1 passes to 2 and runs into open space to receive the ball from 2. Then player 2 runs and receives the pass from 1, controls it and the plays it to player 3 and then player 2 runs to player 3'd cone, and so on

Good pile of balls placed with outside halves (2 and 3) who initiate each new movement. Player 3 plays the ball to 1 who slaps the ball at pace to Player 2. Player 2 receives and immediately slides the ball at an angle down the outside right channel to 4. 4 receives on frontstick and rolls strong outfield. 4 then hits to 6 who receives and shoots. 2 then passes to 1 who slaps ball at pace to 3. 3 receives and slides ball down outside left channel to 5. 5 leads in a “hooked-shaped” manner to receive the ball going forward. On receiving the ball, 5 dribbles to cones in the top left and plays 2 options: (A) a reverse dribble or (B) a double dummy. 5 then hits the ball to 6 who receives and shoots. The next ball is already moving down the right side. Unopposed drill to start with.