Contact Help center
Hockey Hockey
HOME Hockey Answers Hockey COACHING Q&A

Mixed ability school children and practice matches.

Mixed ability school children and practice matches.

Hello Everyone!

I coach at many schools and a reoccouring problem is that there are always 2/3 players that are too good for the rest of the team.

I can't keep giving special conditions to the these children to make it fair (E.g. they have to play in defence) or they will feel I am picking on them.

Any ideas?

Robert

Hockey CoachCoach
ANSWERS
Simon LowryCoach, Ireland

I find the best way to do it is to separate the teams.. Try and make one match/drill with the better players and one with the others.. I've found that both groups then enjoy playing,particularly as the better ones aren't held back and the weaker ones don't feel like they are inadequate ..

Hockey CoachCoach

I will try this and get back to you asap.

Thank You!

Robert

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
STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_hockey
LATEST COACHING TRENDS
Pressing Triggers: Teaching Your Team When to Hunt the Ball

Pressing Triggers: Teaching Your Team When to Hunt the Ball

The best teams don't just press - they press at the right moment. Here's how to train your players to read the cues.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
GPS and Wearables at Club Level: Using Data Without Overcomplicating It

GPS and Wearables at Club Level: Using Data Without Overcomplicating It

Affordable tracking technology has reached grassroots hockey. Here's how to use it to improve performance without drowning in data.

March 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
Mandatory Face Masks: Adapting Your Penalty Corner Defence in 2026

Mandatory Face Masks: Adapting Your Penalty Corner Defence in 2026

2026 is the first full year with mandatory face masks for penalty corner defence. Here's how to train your defenders for the new equipment reality.

February 2026
|
Sportplan Coaching
VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS

View more questions

TRANSFORM YOUR TEAM'S SEASON WITH PROFESSIONALLY PLANNED SESSIONS

Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.

JOIN NOW

VIEW MORE QUESTIONS

See the whole archive of questions.

QUESTIONS ARCHIVE

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

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

Sportplan App

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

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Hockey POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
block tackle channelling defence drills drag flick dribbling dribbling drills fitness goalie drills half court press hitting hitting drills hockey indian dribble indoor long corner netball outletting passing passing drills penalty corner posting up press push pass shooting short corner short corners slap hit tackling warm up warm up drills
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