Field Hockey: how to stop

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how to stop ANSWERS
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How do you play against a team with a Star Player?

Last season we played a couple of teams with a Star player in a key position who ran the game for their side. Any tips on how to stop this sort of team. Especially with many teams these days having a player/coach who is ex-national league this is happening more and more. We played 3 teams last season, 2 with a Star sweeper and another with a Star centre-half. How can we stop them playing and still play our game?

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

Coaching points on how to stop the ball?

Archived User Coach

How can i get my players to stop waiting for the ball?

How can i get my players to stop waiting for the ball and go for it? Thought its their fitness that's not up to standard but they were successful in the bleep test. PLEASE HELP ME!

Archived User Coach

Anybody have a drill to get players to stop passing ball back to where it came from?

I am coaching a JV team and my girls keep sending the ball back to where the ball came from.  Are there any good drills that would train them redirect?

carla mccarron Coach, United States of America

What are the important elements to consider in defensive shape to try and stop being played through easily,particularly in relation to the autopass?

I'm looking to try and get my team well organised with presses but i'm finding it difficult to stop teams playing through by using the autopass,how can i stop this happening ?

Simon Lowry Coach, Ireland

what the best plan for changing players on the bench?

what the best plan for changing players on the bench with field players? I have a team of 11 years old boys, changing players makes it all a bit messy and confusing

Archived User Coach

What is your best advice to a boy playing sweeper in a team with a poor defense

My son has been given the role of sweeper in a team that has only won  twice in two years.  He is probably the weakest player in the team.  What advice can I give him to think about when playing, so that he can improve and enjoy a personal sense of achievement. In training sessions I have never seen any drills designed to organise the defence which is amazing since the teams ambition is usually to keep the goals against to single figures! Are there standard apporoaches as to how close to be  to the player you are marking or which side to stand to stop the attacker getting free with the ball on his open stick?.

Archived User Coach

how do i stop passing the ball to fast

how do i stop passing the ball to fast and what can i do to stop this ?

Archived User Coach

Right-Wing Position

My daughter plays U13 hockey in the position of right wing.She gets different advice from her school coach and her club coach.I want to make sure that she is getting the right advice as she is passionate about her hockey. Firstly, exactly what is the full function of a right wing at this level of hockey (she will be going to U15 club hockey and U14 school hockey next season) She has a good understanding of the game and appears to me to read it well (I only played school level many years ago and things change) When her team is in the offensive position in the “D” she mostly waits at goal post to deflect ball into goal.  She appears to not be involved.  Comments from spectators have been made as to why she just stands there. There is a very skilled player in her team who hits the ball EXTREMELY hard.  I believe that at this level of hockey these extremely hard hits/passes do not achieve anything, they just keep going out. However, please can you advise on how to stop and control these very hard passes (that is if one can get to them) in order to move on with the game. Lastly, can you send some drills/exercises to get her eye in as well as positioning her body correctly for goal shooting.  The “hard hitter” and my daughter seem to be the main goal shooters of the team. Many thanks Lynne

Archived User Coach

Should we play differently on real grass?

Playing field hockey on real grass not turff. Any advice as to good tactics, more running with the ball rather than passing game?

Bruce Walgren Coach, Canada

How to bring a team together?

I coach a team of U18 Boys. The team consists of the typical skill level variations but we manage that by modifying the formation to support those that need support. The team has performed well and they are on the top of the ladder. We are half way through the season and there seems to be more individualism in the team than I would have liked. Some of our more skilled players are failing to utilise the entire team which has a negative impact on the game plan. What strategies do you suggest we engage to bring the team together for the run to the finals?

Archived User Coach

Is it too late for me to get involved in hockey?

I'm a junior and really wanna play. Is it too late? Also, how do I get started? Thanks!

Archived User Coach

1st ever training Session Structure?

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

Archived User Coach

FIH format change - for better or for worse?

As of 1 September, major FIH events such as the Champions Trophy, Hockey World League Final and Rio 2016 Olympic Games will assume a new format that includes moving to four 15-minute quarters and having 40-second time-outs when a penalty corner is awarded and after a goal is scored. Do you think this a positive or negative for the future of hockey?

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

How to trap penalty corners like the Spanish?

I wanted to learn how to trap pc's like the the Spanish team i.e with the stick upright. Does any have any tips?

Archived User Coach

how to stop emails

how do I stop getting emails

Ethan Kerr Coach, Scotland

How can I stop my team from di...

I am coaching my first season as head coach. I am confident that my team has improved on alot of skills (mostly due to sportplan.net, thank you!). The only thing that is driving me crazy that my team has not improved on is the over committing block tackle. When an opponent is coming down the field on a breakway, my defense runs up and block tackles, and the opponent shoots right past them. This will happen two or three times in a row, one defender after the other. I've told them to keep their feet moving and to keep off their toes, keeping their momentum with the opponent. I don't know how to practice this with them. We only have 9 players (this is a high school varsity team) so we can't scrimmage full field during practice. Please help! I'm desperate for a solution.

Archived User Coach

How do you play against a team...

Last season we played a couple of teams with a Star player in a key position who ran the game for their side. Any tips on how to stop this sort of team. Especially with many teams these days having a player/coach who is ex-national league this is happening more and more. We played 3 teams last season, 2 with a Star sweeper and another with a Star centre-half. How can we stop them playing and still play our game?

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

My u/15 girls can't play as a ...

I really have a big problem with my u/15 girls.  They just can't play as a team. Any advice please. There's always a fight between someone. Mariette

Archived User Coach

How do you teach children aged...

I coach aged 7 children and I don't know how to teach them how to play a proper hockey match without all of them going for the ball and not staying in their positions. Do I put lines where they are not allowed to pass? or what?

Bev Coach, South Africa

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