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We have an U12G hockey team with a couple of great players that support the team but last week we got beaten by man on man with our 3 main players heavily covered. Any ideas on a simple way to defuse a man on man defence?
Ryan MalsemParent, Australia
ANSWERS
archie dunnillCoach, England
Hi Ryan,
A great way to beat a man on man defence is to encourage fluid player rotations within your formation. Constantly switching positions and staying on the move helps to get rid of the marker and disturbs the defensive structure.
Here's a drill you could use to try and implement this. Focussing on players constantly looking for space and staying on the move to drag defenders out of position and create an opening. Similar drills can be found under the 'movement off the ball' category within Sportplan's hockey drills.
Hope this helps.
Archie
Switch and Pass with drop off
DESCRIPTION
Player 1 starts the drill by passing to player 2. On receiving the pass player 2 runs with the ball towards the next cone on the opposite side.Player 1 also starts to run at this moment. As player 1 and 2 cross paths player 2 offloads the ball to player 1 who dribbles it around the next cone.Player 2 continues their run (without the ball) around the cone.Both players repeat this pattern to the end of the grid.
Switch and Pass with drop off
DESCRIPTION
Player 1 starts the drill by passing to player 2. On receiving the pass player 2 runs with the ball towards the next cone on the opposite side.Player 1 also starts to run at this moment. As player 1 and 2 cross paths player 2 offloads the ball to player 1 who dribbles it around the next cone.Player 2 continues their run (without the ball) around the cone.Both players repeat this pattern to the end of the grid.
