Hockey: Channelling Practice Proud to Coach

Difficulty of the skill: Red - a difficult core skill for ages 7-9 years and upwards. As players progress and develop the difficulty of the skill should reduce.

What does it mean?

Closing down and dictating to the ball carrier where they can and cannot move with the ball. The defending player looks to channel the ball carrier in order to make them either push the ball off the pitch; create a tackling opportunity ;or to provide another teammate with an opportunity to make a tackle.

Example of the skill

Channelling enables the defender to have maximum control of the situation. If in the middle of the pitch the defending player would look to channel the player towards their (defending players) right hand (open stick side) or alternatively to either a teammates stick or towards the sideline.

Introduce Inside Left and Inside Right and passing option as indicated on diagram

Add in passive defenders

4 man midfield with the centre half pushing up higher up the pitch, supporting the front 3 and the midfield.

When to use:

This formation will help the team to transfer the ball when in possession.

Important players play at match intensity.
Scan before receive, let ball come right past right foot, drive forward and peal out strong.

LH and RH role - drive line at pace, occasionally cut inside, drop back and pass.

LB and RB role - protect the ball, quick early ball wide, moving forward and scanning.