Hockey Drills

Simple exercise without a ball to allow players to understand defensive positioning The engaging defender (at the front) moves from side to side (across a 10m distance) The covering defender (standing 5m behind the front defender) tracks and copies the direction of movement of the front defender. Covering defenders are in place, so that if the attacker gets past the first defender, there is another line of defence.

The blue team position themselves tactically around the area. Players with the ball make a pass to one of the static players, looking to then receive the ball back again and then pass to the next static player.

Every player has a ball. The designated leader (chosen by the coach) sets off in any direction with the ball. All other players must follow in the same direction. On the command of STOP by the leader all the players have to stop and stand with the stick head in front of the ball. Coach should check everyone's position and correct where necessary. The leader then starts to move again but in a different direction.

*** 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.

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 2 (left wing) receives ball from the Player 1 (left midfield) and takes the ball into the zone where the defender can try and win the ball. Just before player 2 loses the ball he/she turns away from the RD and passes the ball to palyer 1. It is important that this player stays outside the 23m area and straight behind player 2. When player 1 receives the ball he/she plays the ball to player 3 who runs into the circle and has a shot at goal. Every player then follows their own pass. and takes up their new position. Next player then starts.

2 teams combine to play 4 versus 2 All players must remain in the box The attackers who lose the ball becomes the defenders No first time passes Push only no slap or hit passes

Play keep ball. Teams need to keep possession for as long as possible or up to a set number of passes (first to 10 passes etc.) Try and take the predictability out of the game by disguising where the ball is going and using sudden changes of pace and direction.

Player 1 dribbles across the square. Player 2 starts without the ball and takes over possession and carries on dribbling across.

A. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. B. Player 1 then follows his/her own pass. C. Player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 for a wall pass back in the space D. Player 2 runs onto the ball and has a shot at goal.

Players 1 and 2 play 2v1 against the first defender then second defender, to then run in to the circle and try and score. Players 3 and 4 go into the circle to help with the rebounds.

create forward passes by transferring the ball The 3 blue players are trying to pass the ball through one of the 3 goals in the middle of the area to one of the three players on the opposite side. They can do this by running with the ball, dummy passing or transferring the ball between them to draw to two defenders out of position and create space for the pass. The 2 defenders can only intercept the ball. When they do so they have to try and and pass the ball over the back line behind the 3 blue players who just lost the ball.

3 blue and 1 white player start from between the gates (2 cones). Set in the specific areas on the pitsh. Blue 1 starts with the ball and passes the ball to blue player 2 coming out of the gate. The defender (white) can now try to stop the players scoring. Player 2 passes the ball back to player 3 and the 3 blues continue to the goal and try to score.

One attacker and one defender stand at the top of the circle. The 2nd defender stands wide outside the 23m area and passes the ball to a 2nd attacker level in the middle of the pitch. Once they have receivied the ball this attacker can take the ball and try and score a goal using the other attacker the defender that started the exercise can run back and help prevent the 2 attackers from scoring.

On the command the player with the ball runs around the blue cones, with the player without a ball running around the red cones. It is a race to see the first one back.

Same principle as the straight relays, but players have to run diagonally across avoiding the other team. It is that all players keep their heads up and do not run so fast that it causes them to lose control of the ball.