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Hey all,
I am trying to implement a new structure for next season, and I want to get thoughts of others.
I have my formation - do I start with working the ball out from defence and work forward, midfield, have certain set plays and movements? Where do you start in introducing the formation and player movements - big picture as in general philosophy, position by position?
Any thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,Brent
Hockey CoachCoach
TOP ANSWER
Jon RoyceCoach, England
Given you have a formation in mind, then the first stage I`d use is to work unopposed bringing the ball from defence to goal, setting your overall shape, adjusting the positions of players relative to each other in general terms. Through this process players will start to learn their roles. I do this by standing and throwing the ball down the pitch and have them bring the ball back to me, I will encourage 10m passes to build relationships between players and ensure they have support at al points of the compass round the ball carrier. I will periodicaly freeze the game and readjust positioning. A voice that carries helps! Set pieces, sideline balls etc are excellent times to adjust positions as players have a moment to think.
Very quickly, a player will want to make an incisive run forward and then you can discuss how players adjust to this situation to retain shape and avoid being countered on.
Once you have this overal shape you can break the team into back four, midfield and attack or split it down channels to work to the next level of complexity.
As you progress the roles of players and principles of play wil emerge as the teams development demands.
In attack if you can retain possession and create and play 2 v 1 you won`t go too far wrong.
ANSWERS
Jon RoyceCoach, England
Given you have a formation in mind, then the first stage I`d use is to work unopposed bringing the ball from defence to goal, setting your overall shape, adjusting the positions of players relative to each other in general terms. Through this process players will start to learn their roles. I do this by standing and throwing the ball down the pitch and have them bring the ball back to me, I will encourage 10m passes to build relationships between players and ensure they have support at al points of the compass round the ball carrier. I will periodicaly freeze the game and readjust positioning. A voice that carries helps! Set pieces, sideline balls etc are excellent times to adjust positions as players have a moment to think.
Very quickly, a player will want to make an incisive run forward and then you can discuss how players adjust to this situation to retain shape and avoid being countered on.
Once you have this overal shape you can break the team into back four, midfield and attack or split it down channels to work to the next level of complexity.
As you progress the roles of players and principles of play wil emerge as the teams development demands.
In attack if you can retain possession and create and play 2 v 1 you won`t go too far wrong.
