Hockey: Attacking Shoulder of D

The pass into the circle is determined by the lead of the attackers and the movement of the defender. Work on decision-making in the final third to improve success rate around the circle.

Practice starts with player 3 passing the ball to player 2. Who in turn passes the ball to player 1.
Player 3 has run towards the top of the circle to receive the ball form player 1 and shoots at goal.


Rotation of players - 1 moves to 2, 2 moves to 3, 3 moves to 1.

Player 1 runs down the wing to then pass the ball backwards of square to player . He in turn gives the ball to player 3, who has run into the circle and then come out to receive the ball. Player 3 then plays a 1v1 with the defender.

Rotation 1 to 2, 2-3, 3-1.

Same down the right wing.

Player 3 runs into the channel. At the same time player 1 passes the ball to player 2. Player 3 has to time the run, so they can run out of the channel once player 2 is ready to pass the ball, not before. Again it is important that player 3 should not have to slow down to receive the ball, and should take the ball while continuing to run and shoot at goal.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON ***

• Objective: Players to make the correct decision in attacking situations and ensure correct attackers are in correct position to affect the game.
• Purpose: Increase the chances of threatening the opposition goal and coming away with a positive result.
• Set-up: 

• Midfielder plays ball across the pitch from left to right.
• Receiving midfielder will start to carry the ball forward and should threaten to play the ball directly into the D.
• Attacker runner on the D will initially run towards the passer to show for the ball, then peel off, aiming their run towards the baseline.
• A defender will decide whether to follow the attacking runner or block the ball from the receiving midfielder going into the D.
• The pass that receiving midfielder makes, should be influenced by the defenders movement as to where the space is.
• 2 attackers in the D should initially look for a deflection if the ball is flung directly into the D. If the ball is played to the attacker running the D, they should reposition themselves to receive a pass or be at the far post for a deflection.