Excellent drills, very detailed videos. Useful site for my U15 boys team.
I just became the head coach of a middle school field hockey team and would like some pointers on how to coach. I have experience with goal keeping and defensive drills, I was a keeper, so I would like to learn more about offense as well. Any help is appreciated!!
In field hockey, how do you hit a tomahawk flat and accurately?
Hi,I perhaps naively, expected to have most of our team from last year carry over and only have a few new comers to integrate and get up to speed with the rest. However meeting the team at our first practice last night i find I have five players still at school from last year and the rest all new comers, most of whom had not held a hockey stick at all till practice.This being only my second season coaching (year 9 to year 13 boys) has left me feeling a little blindsided, and feeling quite unsure how to prepare practices that target both groups of boys. Do i lump them both groups together, keep them separate? What drills/exercises to best bring the new comers up to speed.I don't want to neglect either group, keep practice worthwhile for the experienced boys, but also bringing the new comers up to a level were they can mix in with the others and learn organically from them while practicing as a team. David
I have been given my first team ever!! They are 11 year old girls and I wanted guide/ recommendation on how I should structure my one hour sessions? E.g. how long should I spend on a warm up, drill etc. .Cheers,Freya
Who can help me to develop a tool to manage the substitutional players during a match? I manage a team of 15 girls of 12-14 years old with different levels of hockey experience. To arrange the substitutes is quite complicated and I am searching for a helpful tool.
HI, I'm an inexperienced hockey coach about to coach 9-10 year old kids at school. It's been 20 years since I played myself, so not always familiar with the drills I read here. Anyone has some tips for basic drills for kids to learn the basics? Thanks!
What is the best passing drill to help my U11/12 feel more positive. They are a development group
hi allI'm currently coaching 12 and 13 yr olds and the team has a massive problem with shape and being disciplined positionally.Any tips, ideas, drills etc for helping with / teaching this?many thanks,Gary
Hi allI am looking for advice on how to implement processes in my girls school hockey team. processes of setting up presses, defensive structures and counter attacking thinking. I have 14 players in the team from 15 years old to 18. we train twice a week. only a few play club hockey as well. We either play a 3-1-4-2 or a 3-1-3-3.I find it difficult for example, when you want to teach a press on the opposition 16, to simulate gameplay with only 14 players (if they are all at training). I can have my halves setup for taking the 16 and then get my strikers and links to setup, but then I still want defenders to see things from the back but they are taking the 16? Also when taking the 16 they then don't have any support in the drill because everyone else is setting up a press?I know we need to work on our basics in order for the other tactics and skills and game plans to work. However I find it frustrating with this team that on counter attacks for a few reasons which I am struggling to mend;- they only head forward. No one holds up the ball to wait for support.- they run straight and don't use angles- they pass too late and get tackled - they don't have the vision to see an early pass or pass into space- players without the ball do not run into useful positions and angles and get caught out by the person with the ball who then makes a pass to no one and it runs out of play.So suggestions please for;- open, creative but simple counter attacking- teaching processes for presses on free hits and 16s- coaching how to take 16s and work your way out- coaching vision and expecting your players to be in support. RegardsMatt
Developing support play drill?
Hi all,I've got my level 2 assessment coming up on Sunday and I just wanted to quickly check whether there's a 'recommended' structure to the session plan.Btw, this is a level 2 practical assessment and is with juniors (U14s).One coach has suggested a 3 part approach:1) techniques and skills required2) unopposed 3) opposedThe theme I'm choosing, which is a bit of a generic one, is defending in a channel (as I'm a defender and it's pretty straight forward).I'm not really looking for info on what exactly to include (i.e. theme specific) but rather general structure or whether E.H. have an approved structure to sessions?My session's on Sunday, so a quick reply would be awesome.Thanks,Gary
Does anyone have any ideas for developing players understanding of creating angles of attack during a 1V1?
One thing I have found difficult is developing a drill so it will make practising the skills more challenging. Does anyone have any tips or advice?
Why wont this session open for me when i log in its not there ??
EH have just launched their Golden Thread objectives for the single system (& above) - will some activities be created to reflect these? It is more gameplay & less directive / closed "drills". Cheers Alex.
Hi, I am planning a session focussing on body position receiving the ball with feet forward going towards goal.I have some initial drills and gameplay ideas organised. Does anyone have any ideas for further gameplay focussing on this idea that has 6-10 players involved ( or a larger squad) and more initial technique drillsThanks
just delete it
Have any other coaches got tips, advice or drill ideas on how i can improve my team's ability to counter attack?
Can I please have drills to help with shooting goals? We actually play on grass fields (u/13A girls)
Hi! Im Martina, I am 25 years old and I am in charge of a weekly training session for a Mens Seniors team. They are a mixed group, from 17-60 years old. Im finding it a bit hard to find a balance for all the players as there are young but also experienced ones. I want to make the trainings fun and dynamic, so any help with drills is appreciated!Thank you
in more ways than one
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.
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.
The best teams don't just press - they press at the right moment. Here's how to train your players to read the cues.
Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.