Hockey: Close Circles: Scoring under pressure

- Performing the reverse stick shot or 'tomohawk' - The Grip: Move the stick 90 degrees from the standard strongside hitting position. This moves from hitting with the flat face to the blade of the stick. - Players will naturally be more comfortable of a particular foot. Either foot is fine

Players do 2 reverse turns through the cones (turning around the cone furthest away from the goal each time after which they take a reverse stick shot at goal.

Setup the practice as shown. The Right Wing starts with the ball and dribbles to the defenders penalty corner mark, commit the Goalkeeper and then pass to a player moving in to receive the ball in line with the right post. The player on the move must time their run and run on an arc to hold space, with their left shoulder pointing at the goal. Player moving to receive the ball can use a slap hit or flick to shoot.

Player at the top of the circle receives the ball with his/her back to the goal. Then turns with one touch, either left or right and shoots at goal. Shooting with either the flat reverse stick or the forehand. Each time the passer runs to the circle to become the next receiver and shooter.

Players are in pairs with one ball between them. Player on the left starts to run with the ball towards the back line. Other player tries to overtake this player (pretend defender chasing back) and run towards the far post. The player with the ball has to change direction when the other player runs past the ball. and run with the ball to the top of the circle to commit the keeper and pass the ball to the other player to score the goal. They both return to the half way line and the swap roles for the next go. Next pair go as soon as the goal is scored.

Players run to the byline with the ball pass it to the Pspot for a player to shoot first time (sweep). Passing player pass and follow. Alternative sides.

Player runs into the square. Player at right angle passes the ball into the square for the runner to receive, the receiver then runs into the circle and shoots. Passer becomes the next runner etc.

- Top D Pressurised Shooting - Passive defender - Forward takes the ball across the body - Defender must run from inside the D, around a flag and put pressure on the forward - The forward must move the ball around the opposite flag to that of the defender

Setup the practice as shown. Coach starts on the goal line by one of the penalty corner lines. Player 1 starts on the 25 yard line and dribbles to the top of the circle before shooting at goal. The same player then continues their run to receive a second ball from the coach to simulate a rebound situation.

This challenge requires two teams; team 1 has to try and score with two touches (1st into the circle 2nd to shoot). Team 2's players have to try and stop team 1 having a shot (they can start defending when player 1 has made the first touch). Scoring: Team 1 score a point for a shot at goal, and score 2 for a goal. Team 1 starts with 3 lives. They lose one each time they are stopped or miss the goal. When all lives are lost teams swap round.

Player 1 feeds player 2 on the run in the grid. Player 2 then feeds player 3 on the run in the grid. Player 3 then plays a wall pass with player 4 and shoots.

Development: Player 1 feeds from different positions around the circle.

Pass the ball into the path of the player running towards the circle. Player receiving the ball, should keep the stick on the ball when entering the circle and try and shoot as close to the top of the circle, as possible.

Player 2 passes the ball to player 1. Player 1 then passes the ball into the goal with a slap hit. Player 2 follows his/her pass and takes the position of player 1.

Player 2 passes the ball to player 1. Player 1 then passes the ball into the goal with a slap hit. Player 2 follows his/her pass and takes the position of player 1.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Objective : To introduce a more advance style of hitting, often called the tomahawk, to get the player to hit the ball accurately and firmly, developing a sound technique.  Purpose : Being able to accurately hit a back hand shot or pass creates numerous different opportunities to get a shot away or to deliver a pass. Structure:  Pairs   

Players start on the 23 metre line, in 3 groups, each group with some hockey balls. 2 passes to 1. 3 passes to 2. 1 passes to 3. On receiving the ball, have a shot at goal.

- Performing a upright deflection on the reverse stick side

- Performing a diving deflection on the reverse stick side

- Hitting towards the goal - Hands together at the top of the stick for maximum lever length - Player should stroke through the ball - Feet cross behind each other while performing the skipping movement - Used when the player has a time to strike the ball