Field Hockey: pressure play

My Girls team I coach get caught a lot between man marking and zonal marking in the 23 yard area and sometimes end up with half the team doing one and the rest the other. Suggestions on the ideal defensive set up inside the 23?

Is there some basic info (DVD, video or manuals) that outline basic positional play and roles for new players to the game. I have entered a school team (15-16 yr old girls) into a weekend comp. They are coming up against strong club teams who have been playing for several years. It has been difficult getting them to maintain some structure in their play - possession is a big problem. Also, hitting the ball is an issue - a skill that I have taken for granted as it has never been a problem with all the boys teams I have coached (even 7 amp; 8 yr olds) Any advice greatly appreciated.

i am 35yrs old and playing hockey, i am good when practicing but could not show such performance in the matches.

Does any other coach have any ideas to how my team can go out of defence when the another team play full press?

I coach a ladies two side, our defesive players are all rather slow on their feet due to age, injuries etc, this isn't to bad against slow attacking teams however we are now playing very fast forwards, how can my slower defensive players combat this.

Dear colleagues, what are the best ways to defend an attacking team that is playing with a field player with goalkeeping privileges? Te question concerns indoor hockey only.

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

I am looking for a more complicated drill but for around 4 players. Needs to involve hitting in the circle and shooting on goal. Maybe looking for shooting under pressure like a defender or something?

Why wont this session open for me when i log in its not there ??

Have some questions about two inners. Also anyone running it. Do you like it?

I have a ladies team with slow defenders who insist on playing 5-10 yards (sometimes more) off of their attacker. They do this as they say they are much slower and therefore need the space to catch up to them and as a 'buffer'. This is an argument I have heard used by a lot of slower players.I however have been arguing that they'd have more success if they marked closer and tried to prevent them from turning and gathering speed/or being within range to make the interception in the first place. They may get beaten on occasion if the player has the wherewithal to turn with skill and beat their marker, but I feel for a lot of players, the mere pressure of having a defender in close proximity may discourage them from attempting to turn and force them to play the ball backwards.My argument is that if you give a player with speed 10 yards to build up speed against you then it will be harder to stop them/catch them, especially in a wide space. The way I think about it is, if two cars are in a race, but the first one is allowed to get up to 30 mph before the start line AND is the faster vehicle, it's a no-brainer as to who will win. I'm interested to see what everyone else thinks - am I thinking about this incorrectly or does my thinking make sense?

I don't know what to do, I'm coaching 2 teams at the same time same practice and they know. the problem is that one team is 5/6 advance and the other team is 5/6 beginners. I can't pull out of this and I need some drills that both can do...

What drill I wanna give my players for push pass under pressure?

how to play half press and full press

what is the positioning and tips to no left them through the centre by heading to the lineand them cutting in

Playing adult mens at a low league level, mixture of ageing experienced players, inexperienced young and not so young players.We normally play 343 diamond, with mixed results, when I works it works well.We are without our keeper , so an outfield player (me , not so young, not so good) padding up.Really need a formation that is going to discourage pressure on the last line of defence (this section has the best, older experienced players).Bit vague and difficult to answer, I would think but a pointer would be good. Many thanks

Where do the defensive players stand during a corner?