Hockey: Dribble through - Defensive zone game

Split the group into 2 teams (no more then 4 / 5 on each team) put one goal on the half way line and one in the normal position on back line. Set out a circle with cones for the goal ion the half way line. Each team positions them self to the left of the goal. Every player needs a ball. One of the players in one of the teams starts with the ball. This player has to run with the ball to the opposite goal and strike the ball into the goal. On doing so one player from the other team can now run with the ball to the other goal and try to strike the ball into that goal. The player that struck the ball first has to run back and try to defend against the 2nd player that has set off.

The player with the ball passes the ball square to the other attacking player. Upon receiving the ball player 2 runs laterally across the defender, staying just out of reach. In the meantime player 1 has to run diagonally into the space behind the defender. Player 2 has two options they can pass the ball into the space behind the defender for player 1 to run onto or player 2 can keep the ball and continue to run past the defender. Player 2 can pass at any time and must run to be available for the return pass from player 1.

The white team play 3v2 against the blue team. When the attack is finished, the white team play 3v2 against the orange team. Then the orange team play against the blue team etc. Attack starts with pass from the wide player. Tips; If centre player carries the ball, the pass goes to the wide player, centre player follows pass to recieve the return ball, then pass goes to opposite side for shot (3 passes). If wide player carries the ball it should be passed to the middle player, then wide again for shot (2 passes).

Defender dribbles with ball into the area in which two attackers are waiting to take the ball (the attackers have to tackle for the ball). On winning the ball the two attackers run out of the area to try and score a goal. The defender can run back and try and stop them. When the attack has finished one of the two previous attackers becomes the defender and starts the exercise again.

One defender dribbles with ball into the area in which two attackers are waiting to tackle for the ball. On winning the ball the two attackers run out of the area to try and score a goal. The defender can run back and try and stop them. When the attack has finished the two previous attackers become the defenders and start the exercise again.

Three players with a ball start in the grid furthest away from the goal with one defender in the first grid and one defender in the second grid. The practice is for the 3 players to progress through the 2 grids and score a goal. Defenders can only defend inside their own grid.

Set out 2 grids that are attached by a common line with 3 attackers and 1 defender in each. 3 Players, with one ball, in one grid keep possession of the ball and try to pass the ball to the other three players in the other grid. Once they have done this the other three players must also try to keep possession in order to once again pass the ball back into the other grid.

Set out 2 grids that are attached by a common line with 3 attackers and 1 defender in each and an extra defender who is allowed to move into whichever grid has the ball. 3 Players, with one ball, in one grid keep possession of the ball and try to pass the ball to the other three players in the other grid. Once they have done this the other three players must also try to keep possession in order to once again pass the ball back into the other grid.

The blue player 1 takes ball to white player 1. Coach blows their whistle, simulating a foul by blue 1. The first white player then plays a self pass to create a 2 vs 1, running at blue 2 and linking with white player 2. Blue 1 can chase back but is not allowed to challenge the ball for the first 5 meters. The aim of the game is to get the ball to player 3 on the far post as soon as possible.

The players must start shown in the picture, standing on alternate cones. The practice becomes live as soon as the first pass is played by the player with the ball on the half way line. 1 has to play the ball to player 2 as the first pass, after this any pass is allowed. The attack has to take place within the channel of cones.

One of the four defenders in the circle passes the ball from inside the circle to the 4 forwards on the half way line. As the moment of the pass two defenders have to run around one of the cones on the 23m line before they can defend, the other two defenders can defend straight away.  

Defender runs into the box with the ball where the 2 attackers try to take possession of the ball on doing so the 2 attackers break out of the box towards the goal to try and score. The defender can try to defend back and stop the break.

Set up the break each time as shown in diagram for a 3 v 1 in the attacking team's favour. The break starts when the defender (number 1) passes the ball to one of the attacking players. After this the break is on and the game is played out as normal.

In the grid play a 5 vs 5 or 4 vs 4 possession hockey game. There a two jokers stood at either end of the area. These two players may receive the ball from either team and are stood in the scoring zone. The aim is to play possession hockey and use the two Jokers. Everytime the team in possession passes the ball to a joker and receives a pass back they score a point. The first team to score 5 consecutive points is the winner.

4 players inside the 23 meter area try to pass the ball through the defensive zone (the space between the 23 meter to the half way line) to the players in the other half. When the ball has successfully been played across to the other side the opposite team must try and play the ball back through the defensive zone. The 6 defenders inside the middle zone have to try and intercept the ball and break. When they get the ball they must try and score a goal against the players who lost the ball.

Team 1 attacks team 2. Player on the 23m line starts with the ball and attacks the two defenders from team 2 (while this attack goes on team 3 gets in position to defend against team 2). When team 1 scores or team 2 wins the ball the wide player on the 23m line starts the attack. The other two players from team 2 have to run and support. Best ploy is for the player on the 23m line to hold the ball or run infield along the 23m line to allow the 2 supporting players to join in the attack.

- Fast Break off a turnover - Move the ball from own D to opposition baseline in two passes - Score a goal from the turnover in 3 passes

Defender steps in front of the attacker to intercept a pass Coaching Points Defender is marking over distance (not touch-tight) Defender times his run so he picks up the ball at the correct time Defender picks the ball up on the move Intercepting player keeps moving with the ball after interception to get away from the attacker and into a strong position Progression Make the attacker less passive

- Using the upright reverse stick to intercept a pass

This exercise is to teach players to run out and receive the ball and set up an attack down the right or left. Important that the pass should be given before the player running out arrives in the space. Pass and follow sequence RD-RW-CF-RD.