Channeling

DESCRIPTION

Channeling drill on three diferent areas of the pitch. The attacker passes the ball to the defender, receives it back and then tries to get it over the 25 line. When the attacker succeeds in eliminating the defender, they hit the ball into the D for a defelction on the post.

1. Forestick channeling. Defender wants to force the attacker away from the goal, so to their forestick side. 

2. Channeling with two defenders. Because they're in the middle of the pitch, they have to choose which side to force the attacker to. Aim is to dispossess the attacker by pressuring them and forcing them into the back defenders forestick. 

3. Back stick channeling. Again, defender wants to force the attacker away from the goal, so to their back stick this time.

4. 2 attackers on the post, ready to deflect.

COACHING POINTS

1 & 3 When the defender pushes up to pressure the attacker, it's important they run towards the attacker in an arch to close the most dangerous space down. While doing this, the defender holds out their stick in their left hand to close down that space and force the attacker to their forestick. As soon as the attacker runs square to the defender they should switch back to holding their stick normally. The defender should be close enough to the attacker to try to jab the ball away, but keep enough distance to adapt when the attacker changes direction towards them. 3: Opposite side, other way around.

2. Communication is the most important part, the back defender should coach the front defender as to where to go, how much pressure etc. Eventually the front defender should force the attacker straight into the back defenders flat forestick, the back defender has to time and position themselves to gain possession.