- closing down & dictating to the ball carrier where they can & cant move with the ball
- defending player looks to channel ball carrier in order to make them either push ball off pitch/create tackling opportunity
- most dangerous area of pitch for defenders is centre of pitch
- situation: if in middle of pitch defending player looks to channel player towards their (defending player's) right hand side (open stick side) or teammate's stick or towards sideline
- attacker starts with ball & attempts to score through cones - passive at first
- defender's aim is to run in an arc towards attacker & channel them away from goal towards the sideline
Progression: attacker more active & more game-like
:
add tackling defender: to make a flat stick block tackle when attacking player is distracted by channelling player then challenging defender can loop around & cover space behind the tackle
- if use jab/dummy jab tackle whilst channelling an attacker, then remove right hand from stick as lunge to jab at ball
- attempt to close down attacking player by running in an arc/curve towards ball carrier to force ball carrier onto defenders stick side & ball onto reverse stick
sideways onto attacker when channelling, balls of feet
- defending player should have hips pointing in same direction, match speed of attacker, but stay behind the line of the ball with stick in front of ball 'line'
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
The first weeks of the season decide whether a junior or new player sticks with adult hockey. Here is how to keep them safe, give them a clear job and build their confidence from the very first bully.
Most tackles are lost before the stick goes down. Teach your defenders to channel, wait and choose the right tackle, and you will win more ball and give away fewer cards.
England Hockey's rule guidance for 2026/27 takes effect from 1 September. Here are the changes that will actually alter how you coach, and how to brief your squad in one pre-season session.