Field Hockey: height

height DRILLS
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height ANSWERS
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Midfield positioning on 16yd h...

hi there I'm using 4-4-2 and on sometimes 3-1-4-2 with a lower level hockey team.I've chosen this over other formations, simply because the hockey experience and ability of my players is not of a high level (and most people have an approximate understanding of 442). Also, I believe that one must choose a formation based on players traits and what they can deliver. For example, I'd ideally prefer to have 3 forwards, to help with more height and width but then would have to either play 3 in the middle or 3 at the back... and my player strengths don't permit this. In short, I simply don't believe I have a strong enough CH / CM to handle 3 in the middle and I'm not convinced that the off-the-ball support from other players is strong enough to allow 3 in the middle. OFFENSIVE PLAYS Anyway, I'm not 100% where to get my centre mids to stand when we have a 16 yd hit to take (i.e. our possession). Obviously one of the CMs comes deep to offer a potential direct outlet from the centre backs or offer an overload option if the ball goes out to the sides (which is more likely, since I've pretty much banned the high risk play of releasing up the middle - we've had far too many turnovers in our final third or quarter because we tried to play up the middle). My players are 'aware' of posting up and leading runs. However, I'm not sure about the 2nd CM. On the one hand I'd ideally like the 2nd CM to come deep as well, in order to potentially help break up the opposition press but by doing so, I distort the midfield and if we do manage to get the ball to one of the CMs, he won't have the 2nd CM in a higher position to release to, etc. DEFENSIVE POSITIONING Can someone suggest, again, about midfield positioning using 4-4-2 or 3-1-4-2, when we are setting up a general press? I have traditionally encouraged man marking, simply because our general positional awareness is weak (which makes zonal play a no-no IMO) + our tracking and attitude to committed defending (i.e. you don’t give up if one tackle fails) could be better! However, looking at suggested presses on Sportplan, some zonal positioning seems a necessity and I think if I can help my players make the step, success will come because they've been forced to become more aware of their pitch positioning, etc. Also, looking at some of the presses, it looks like the midfield can go 'flat' to create a barrier... and as I encourage a diamond shape in midfield, I need to explain to my players what to do and when. Sorry for the wordy question. I hope this all makes sense. Regards, Gary

Gary Thompson Coach, England

What is the correct techique f...

What is the correct techique for doing aerials ?

Archived User Coach

Can you tell me the correct technique for a penalty?

Can you tell me the correct technique for a penalty flick? How you would put it into a training exercise?

Archived User Coach

Are there any drills to force players to stay low

Are there any drills to force players to stay low

Archived User Coach

What is a short corner?

Hi, I'm actually a kid doing BTEC sport in Year 10, and I'm doing my coursework on Hockey. Unfortunatly I have no idea what a short corner is, other than it's suppose to commence play again. If anyone could help me with this, it would be much appreciated %3A)

Archived User Coach

finishing

I have done numerous exercises on goalscoring but my girls cant seem to finish. Any suggestions?

Archived User Coach

every on on my team can do a long high flick about 3/4 of the field and i just can't get it. can you help me to be able to do a good flick

i can get the height but not the length

Archived User Coach

How can I ask a question?

Archived User Coach

Receiving the ball forward facing

Anybody any ideas on a conditioned game to encourage receiving the ball in a forward facing position?

Mark Stuart-Thompson Coach, England

Drag-Flicking Tutorial - how t...

Hi,Out of curiousity, could you list down effective and efficient steps to learn drag-flicking and the drills to master it?

Archived User Coach

Scaffolding Defenders | Sportp...

Hello. I would like help with the following please:1) what does it mean when the final pass is not played through the defence but alongside it?2) Also doing a 3v0 scaffold drill? Then progressing onto 3v2 and then onto 4v3 with height and depth?Any advice will be amazing. Thank you!

Archived User Coach

1-2-1 coaching with u12 son ? ...

1-2-1 coaching with u12 son (forward-JDC level) need to keep it fresh and fun any ideas? Andy Batch

Archived User Coach

How to coach school team with ...

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

David Smith Coach, New Zealand

Whats the best drill for ladie...

Whats the best drill for ladies to attack at pace?

David Keogh Coach, Ireland

finishing shots and rebounding...

I need drills for finishing the shots and catching rebounds.thanks

Brenda Strohmer Coach, United States of America

Best way to teach shape and po...

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

Gary Thompson Coach, England

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