HOME Hockey Answers Hockey COACHING Q&A

tackling

best drill for teaching tackles

Get in the Middle

DESCRIPTION

Setup as shown. Blue players start dribbling around the larger box (Blue Cones) with the aim of having to try and get into the small box in the middle. The attackers can enter the box when they feel that they can get into the red small box. The Red players are defenders and have to stop the attackers getting into the small red box. If players are tackled they have to enter the "prison".

Get in the Middle

DESCRIPTION

Cheryl PriceCoach, Australia

1 answer

ANSWERS

Cam HughesCoach, England

Hi Cheryl,

One of the best drills for teaching tackles is the "Tackling in a Crowded Area" drill. In this drill, a rectangular box is set up with one forward and one defender. The forward tries to use elimination skills to get past the defender, who in turn aims to gain possession of the ball. This drill helps players practice tackling in a crowded and competitive setting. You can access the detailed instructions and coaching points for this drill using the following link: 1 Tackling in a Crowded Area Drill.

I hope this helps,

Cam

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

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

Hockey

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_hockey

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Scanning and Spatial Awareness: Teaching Players to See the Game

The best hockey players in the world do not just react faster; they scan more frequently and process information before the ball arrives. This article explores the science behind scanning, how to coach spatial awareness as a habit, and practical drills that force players to lift their heads and read the game.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching

Attacking Circle Entries: Creating Shooting Opportunities in the D

In hockey, you can only score from inside the circle. Getting the ball into the D with purpose and creating genuine shooting chances is the hardest part of attack. This article examines the different types of circle entry, why entry angle determines shot quality, and how to train your team to penetrate the most congested area on the pitch.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching