Hockey Drills

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaches Objective: To teach players to use the close proximity of a defender to advantage in order to open up play to the right with a short V drag. Purpose: To open up the rest of the pitch to create passing options.

Difficulty of the skill: Red - a difficult core skill for ages 7-9 years and upwards. As players progress and develop the difficulty of the skill should reduce. What does it mean? Closing down and dictating to the ball carrier where they can and cannot move with the ball. The defending player looks to channel the ball carrier in order to make them either push the ball off the pitch; create a tackling opportunity ;or to provide another teammate with an opportunity to make a tackle. Example of the skill Channelling enables the defender to have maximum control of the situation. If in the middle of the pitch the defending player would look to channel the player towards their (defending players) right hand (open stick side) or alternatively to either a teammates stick or towards the sideline.

Suggested Exercise Player one begins with the ball in the opposite diagonal corner to player two. Player one’s target is to score through the red cones which are defended by player two. Player two’s aim is to run in an arc towards player one and channel the attacker away from the red cones and force them to the blue cones. Attacking players could begin the exercise passively, allowing the defending player to practice their channelling technique. The exercise could progress to become more game like with the attacking player becoming less passive and attempting to score through the defending player’s goal by eliminating the defending player.

Setup five cones in either the form of a compass or clock. On the command go the goalkeeper moves to the North then back to the middle, before then going to the East and back to the middle and so on.

Setup: Lay out sticks on the ground about 1 metre apart. Six sticks should be laid in a continuous straight line. Five cones in a zig-zag formation. Use ladders or a line of two cones close together (about 30cm between each pair). Place a stick on a pair of cones x6, about 1 metre between each one. The drill: Players run in and out of the sticks Players jump with feet together over the sticks (from left to right followed by right to left) Run round the cones, the players should touch the cone with the inside hand each time Players touch the pitch with one foot between each space Players run through and over as fast as they can. Check that they lift their knees nice and high going over the hurdles.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Objetcive:  To understand the requirments of the player when dribbling with the ball down the left side of the field.  Purpose: The position of the ball and technique when dribbling will alter where the next pass or tackle is going to come from. Carry in the correct position to give as many options for the pass and to send a clear message to the rest of the team, Eg. wingers/forwards leads.  Structure:  Pairs   

- 5 yard square - 3 forwards and 2 defenders - Forwards must stay on the outside of the square - Defenders cannot leave the square or tackle the player in possession - Forwards around the square can move around - Cannot dribble with the ball - If a defender intercepts the ball, they should swap with the forward who made the pass

- 5 yard square - 3 forwards and 2 defenders - Forwards must stay on the outside of the square - Defenders cannot leave the square or tackle the player in possession - Forwards around the square can move around - If a defender intercepts the ball, they should swap with the forward who made the pass

Moving back and forth between two cones players make straight and diagonal passes to each other while moving.

- Posting towards the ball, and then rolling away - Drags defenders out of position - Use of the body to shield the ball, and then roll away from the defender - Player in possession make a L shape run, opens body out, and rolls the ball down the channel - Forward in the D posts towards the ball, and then turns out, using their body to shield the ball and move towards goal

Defence force play over to the forehand, while the attack try and score. When the defender wins the ball, play out a 2 v 1 counter attack.

The defence force play over to the forehand. Attackers try and score. When defender wins ball play out a 2 vs 1 counter attack.

Spread your team anywhere inside the half of a pitch. Only give your team 3 balls. You may pass the ball around to anyone inside the half. This will create a lot of talking and activity. Do this exercise for about 5 minutes. It is important that the players keep talking and moving off the ball, always making themselves available to receive the ball. For quick decision making do the same exercise inside the circle.

Drill to work on the movement of players to build an attack. The shot can either come near post if the goal keeper is out of position. Ideally the shot should go to the far post, with the other runner there to pick up a deflection if possible.

Drill to reinforce movement on the pitch. The player that started the move will score the deflection from the second or third pass. This will emphasise the need for rotation and dynamic movements.