Hockey: Team relay

Build the whole of your game upon having a rock solid defence. Work on defending 1-on-1 as well as a team unit, starting from the front. This session develops the whole teams reaction to losing the ball and working hard to win it back as soon as possible.

Turned over the ball? No big deal! Produce a team that are ready to work twice as hard to win the ball back!

Don't dilly-dally. Teach your players to win the turnover and drive quickly CHARGE up the field to make the most of the fast break!

Teach players making the forward run, looking over their shoulder and receiving the ball on the run in this attacking session

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.

Split your group into two teams - defenders and attackers.

Players with the ball have to run around the cone and try and score. Players without ball also have to run around the cone, and then try and stop the other player scoring.

This exercise is designed to encourage defenders to force attacking players to move onto the defenders forehand

The player with the ball tries to run through between the 2 cones, indicating the maximum 10 points.

This should encourage the defender to try and force the player onto their open stick side, away from this high scoring gate!

Strong low body position and balanced ready to move.

Left foot forward, right foot back, stick on the ground or hovering slightly above the ground.

Position of feet and stick make a strong triangle shaped base.

Tackle must be positive and strong with feet balanced.

Stick face angled towards the ball.

The tackle should be timed just as the ball momentarily leaves attacker's stick initiated by a jab to put player off or as player loses control.

The defender's stick should not be flat on the ground as this is a safety issue.

The defender could be injured by the attacker if their head is down too low and the attacker could take advantage of this over commitment by using a low lift.

Flat stick only when attacker stationary or moving very slowly