Warm-up drills to get players thinking?

Warm-up drills to get players thinking?

Can someone suggest a really good warm-up drill or exercise to get players thinking/concentrating/making decisions? I.e. something prior to a match, after having done a physical warm-up, dynamic stretches, any SAQ and technical stuff

Gary ThompsonCoach, England
ANSWERS
Gary ThompsonCoach, England

Hi Bram

Thanks for the reply.

After posting my question, I did see there is a warm-up games category in the Drills Section and the one you've chosen was the only one I thought looked good... but to answer your question, yes it is exactly the kind of thing I want!

Anyway, I tried the drill last Sunday, but deliberately in the Circle, in the hope of getting lots of quick, snappy passing going, but unfortunately too many people just ended up staying in their bit of the Circle i.e. apart from the guys who are good CMs / CHs - who have to move and check different passing options/angles - people were disappointingly static.

Perhaps it's too congested to get movement, when in the Circle? Equally well, I thought there would be too much space in the half-pitch, so people would be lazy and just stand still?

I think the main thing is to try and force players to move and hunt for the ball. Any suggestions?

  • Maybe you're not allowed to pass back to the same person?
  • Perhaps say you HAVE to move 5m before making or receiving another pass?

Thanks,
Gary

Bram van Asselt, England

In my experience 3 balls being passed round at pace is very active.

But I do agree that the players don't  necessary run a lot so what you could do is position the players in position on half a pitch with a 3 double player where the 3 balls start and for a couple of minutes players have to follow their own pass.

Make sure that their is an agreed area for each position 

Important is that the team maintain their shape so when ever the practice stops the team still has a player in each position.

Have Fun

Bram

Gary ThompsonCoach, England

hi Bram

Nice suggestion regarding following the pass. Will give it a go on a half pitch and let you know how it works out.

Many thanks,
Gary

Bram van Asselt, England

Here is a liitle animation.

I have attached an animation for the previous idea

One other way of doing this if you have only got 10 players give each player 2 cones each which they have to place about 5 to 10 metres apart in their position and tell the player that they have to receive the ball by one cone and pass it from the other so they are constantly running with the ball and running back to receive the next ball.

Let me know how you get on

Bram

Pass and follow exercise

This drill has no description.

Pass and follow exercise

This drill has no description.

Gary ThompsonCoach, England

Ok... I can see the attached session but when I click on it, nothing happens.

Sorry.

Bram van Asselt, England

Should be working now.
Bram. 

Gary ThompsonCoach, England

hey Bram

Yeah... that's fine now. Thanks very much.

Gary

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

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

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