HOME Hockey Answers Hockey COACHING Q&A

Exercises on positions?

Exercises on positions?

Are there exercises where you can train on positions? 4-3-3// 4-4-2?I have seen this somewhere but I can recall/find it anymore. Any help is appreciated. - Steven Wickel

Steven WickelCoach, Netherlands

2 answers

ANSWERS

Matt MorrisonPlayer, England

Hi Steven,

If you take a look at the Roles & Responsibilities drill category, this has plenty of drills/ideas to work on your teams formation and positional play. Here`s a example drill.

Matt

Positional Roles - With and without possession

DESCRIPTION

When team in possession of the ball: Keeper To get the ball out of the circle Maybe set-up an attack Sweeper Directs the play from the back Assists with transferring the ball Takes your 16 yard hits Supports the midfield when higher up the pitch CB Makes themself available to assist when playing the ball from the back RB/LB Be in position to receive the ball wide on 16-yard hits Support the midfield when in possession CM Always available to receive the ball. Looks to spread the ball, using their central connection point to help their whole team Take a lot of the free hits RM/LM Very important link in the attacking patterns Supports the forwards by moving up the pitch Should sometimes take players on Should offer a passing option to the defence Should also be able to score CF Try to get free from their marker Pull defenders out of position to create space for other players to explore Able to receive the ball when being man to man marked Needs to be able to take players on in the one to one Able to shoot from all positions and win rebounds Able to win short corners RF/LF Keep wide to receive the ball Able to take on players Can take some risks Should try to cross the ball into the circle Able to win short corners

Positional Roles - With and without possession

DESCRIPTION

When team in possession of the ball: Keeper To get the ball out of the circle Maybe set-up an attack Sweeper Directs the play from the back Assists with transferring the ball Takes your 16 yard hits Supports the midfield when higher up the pitch CB Makes themself available to assist when playing the ball from the back RB/LB Be in position to receive the ball wide on 16-yard hits Support the midfield when in possession CM Always available to receive the ball. Looks to spread the ball, using their central connection point to help their whole team Take a lot of the free hits RM/LM Very important link in the attacking patterns Supports the forwards by moving up the pitch Should sometimes take players on Should offer a passing option to the defence Should also be able to score CF Try to get free from their marker Pull defenders out of position to create space for other players to explore Able to receive the ball when being man to man marked Needs to be able to take players on in the one to one Able to shoot from all positions and win rebounds Able to win short corners RF/LF Keep wide to receive the ball Able to take on players Can take some risks Should try to cross the ball into the circle Able to win short corners

Bram van Asselt, England

This Drill may be helpful

Bram

positional unit play

DESCRIPTION

Start by putting your players in their position on half a pitch. (whateve the formation you want to play.) Give one of the players a ball and ask the team to pass the ball around the team as fast as they can. This should start to get players used to the players around them.

positional unit play

DESCRIPTION

Start by putting your players in their position on half a pitch. (whateve the formation you want to play.) Give one of the players a ball and ask the team to pass the ball around the team as fast as they can. This should start to get players used to the players around them.

Login or Join Now for FREE to post your answer

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 1000+ hockey drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

SIGN UP WITH EMAIL

or

Hockey

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_hockey

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Hockey Hockey Trends Netherlands Olympic Golden Sweep: What Coaches Can Learn

Netherlands Olympic Golden Sweep: What Coaches Can Learn

Netherlands Olympic Golden Sweep: What Coaches Can Learn

The Netherlands made history at Paris 2024 with the first-ever golden sweep. Here's what coaches at every level can learn from their dominance.

Sportplan Coaching

Hockey Hockey Trends Connection-Based Coaching: Building Trust in Your Team

Connection-Based Coaching: Building Trust in Your Team

Connection-Based Coaching: Building Trust in Your Team

The best coaches build more than skills - they build connections. Learn how trust-based relationships transform team performance.

Sportplan Coaching

Hockey Hockey Trends England Hockey's 25 in 2025: Practice Ideas That Work

England Hockey's 25 in 2025: Practice Ideas That Work

England Hockey's 25 in 2025: Practice Ideas That Work

England Hockey's coaching roadshow is bringing practical, engaging session ideas to clubs nationwide. Here's what coaches are learning.

Sportplan Coaching

VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS

View more questions

View Hockey All Questions Archive

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the worlds largest hockey coaching resource for 1000+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.

LET'S DO IT