This session was designed in response to a fellow coach's complaint to me...
The complaint:
Regardless of how much space my players were in, every time they received the ball they insisted on passing first time, as if the ball were a hot potato! This meant that the ball was easily intercepted by an alert player on the other team.
The solution:
To prevent Hot Potato Passing in our next game, this session focuses solely on getting players to control the ball, before then passing it on. By controlling the ball first, your players will be able to better assess their position on the pitch and identify the best passing option (or if they're in space they may choose to carry the ball themselves).
To achieve this, we start with controlling a powerful pass, before then putting players in a practice where they need to control and add to the pass, then tying everything neatly together with a fun controlling-the-ball conditioned game.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
The best hockey players in the world do not just react faster; they scan more frequently and process information before the ball arrives. This article explores the science behind scanning, how to coach spatial awareness as a habit, and practical drills that force players to lift their heads and read the game.
In hockey, you can only score from inside the circle. Getting the ball into the D with purpose and creating genuine shooting chances is the hardest part of attack. This article examines the different types of circle entry, why entry angle determines shot quality, and how to train your team to penetrate the most congested area on the pitch.
The best teams don't just press - they press at the right moment. Here's how to train your players to read the cues.