Field Hockey: running with the ball

running with the ball DRILLS
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running with the ball SESSIONS
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running with the ball ANSWERS
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Can you give me your ideas of a one test only assessment to split a large mixed ability group of players (20 to 60) into the right ability groups in less than 2 hours?

Here is one example I use.I put out this slalom as the test whenever confronted with a large group of mixed ability players that need to be put into equal ability groups to play a game or to be coached. The slalom incorporates lots of the aspects of the techniques required by the individual players to play the game of hockey. I.e. running with the ball, fast and controlled, changing direction with the ball pivoting, stopping the ball etc.I normally set up 2 - 4 identical slaloms, see attachment, and have 4 coaches or helpers with a stopwatch (mobile phones are great for this).To record the score I normally put a label on the stick of each player so they can write down their time. Once all players have recorded a time, ask the players to stand in time order on the sideline. Once the players are in order you can put the 10 fastest times to play a 5 aside game across 23 meter area and the next 10 in the next 23 meter area and so on up to 40 players playing on one full pitch. The last few changes you might now need to make are the players that perform better or weaker on any particular pitch (should not be to many).

Bram van Asselt Coach, England

I'm looking for suggestions on set plays for free hits?

I'm looking for suggestions on set plays for free hits going into the circle. High school rules in the US now state that all players (attack/defense) must be 7 yards from the ball. What plans will work for drawing corners and goal scoring opportunities?

Ali Collins Coach, United States of America

How should a player run with and carry the stick when?

How should a player run with and carry the stick when they are off the ball?

Archived User Coach

I train a school team in India, it is under-16 team.?

I train a school team in India, it is under-16 team. My forwards are good in skills and defenders are good at tackling. But at the last 15 mins of match(35-5-35 mins.), my whole team gets tired and starts making unforced errors. Even skills are as good as other Indian players but when it comes to strength and stamina they lack. Please suggest something that my players are capable fast matches? We play hockey on grass only.

Jaswinder S Coach, India

If there are two defenders trying to tackle one player.?

If there are two defenders trying to tackle one player. Do you pull up for two on one or do all three sticks need to be making contact with the ball?

Susan Barbour Coach, England

I need improve the team rotation ball?

I need improve the team rotation ball?...I help me....The team is junior. I want more mobility in offensive actions but my young players take a individual way.

Bernardo Picado Coach, Costa Rica

Hi. Ideas for dribbling drills?

Hi. Any ideas for dribbling drills that would be fun for 12-13 yr old boys to improve control and agility?

Trada Steyn Coach, New Zealand

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

Looking for a 6-a good side hockey formation?

I am looking for 6 a side hockey formations. We have been playing 3-1-1-1. Worked very well, however sweeper was so good, goalie never touched the ball. I want to move sweeper to goalie/ sweeper but our mid field player is too good to just play right. What to do? 2-2-1-1 or 1-3-1-1?     

Archived User Coach

How to encourage positional play (spreading out) to U9 players?

How do you encourage positional play and spreading out on hockey field U9 girls level?

Archived User Coach

How can I help my U12 girls to attack?

How can I help my u/12 girls to attack? At the moment they are running beside the opponent but not attacking the players.

carien Coach, South Africa

Hockey level 2 assessment

Hi,I need to play 4 linked hockey sessions to a specific theme I don't know which one to chose such as I can't say attack because there can be so much to cover . So any help?

Tajinder Kaur Sahota Coach, United Kingdom

How to coach school team with novices and experienced players?

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

Ball "squirting" ahead as players go faster

How to coach fast attackers to control the pace of the ball as they accelerate? At higher speeds, the players' touch on the ball needs to be "softer" but this requires hands and feet to work at varying intensity. I see a lot of speedsters push the ball too far ahead of themselves, the faster they go. The outcome is often a failed shot at goal because the ball runs out of reach or out over the back line.

rachelr Coach, New Zealand

Problems Clearing the Circle

I'm in the U.S., coaching a team of 11-12 year olds, with 1-2 years of experience. Defending the circle, when the ball is loose, my players are not getting control of the ball to hit out of the circle. It's congested with opponent and my team's players. If my players get control, they lose it quickly. If the opponent has control, my players aren't very good at taking the ball or stopping the opponent from taking a shot. Luckily we have a good goalie but she can only do so much. (Full disclosure: I didn't play FH but have a decent understanding of the game. No one else in my community would step up to coach so it's fallen to me.)

Brandon Cowart Coach, United States of America

Indian dribble and running with the ball

how can I make practises such as the indian dribble and running with the ball using the correct grip more entertaining for junior players?

Jerome Carabott Coach, Malta

Indian dribble and running wit...

how can I make practises such as the indian dribble and running with the ball using the correct grip more entertaining for junior players?

Jerome Carabott Coach, Malta

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