Hurdles and Up Up Up

The first drill is going to look at three different techniques which players can use to eliminate a player by going over the defenders stick: 1. Reverse stick lift 2. Forehand stick dink 3. 3D dribble Have three lines of hurdles and each line will be a different skill players have to work up and down that line for 2 minutes doing the skill. Once they get to the end they should dribble back around to the beginning to start again. Reverse stick lift: - The initial drag is just as important as the lift. This will cause a defender to commit a flat stick challenge. - Players often advertise they are going to lift the ball by opening their stick face too early. Emphasis this is a bad habit. - Make sure players keep their heads up for as long as possible. - Players should drag the ball right onto the reverse and as they do they should angle their stick up and flick the ball over. It is a right-to-left drag with a lift at the end. The angle of the stick is important as well as bending the knees to get low. The more power put on the ball the higher it will lift- you want it to be enough just to get over the stick. Forehand stick dink: - Forehand dink is the opposite of a reverse stick lift. Players should go to the right first and then pull the ball quickly across. The forehand is set at a slight angle to the ball allowing the ball to be able to roll onto the stick and be lifted. It should be the same angle as an aerial but the amount of power should be reduced. 3D dribble: - The 3D dribble is hockey's version of football 'keepy uppies'. Players should scoop the ball from the front almost like a frying pan, making sure they get underneath the ball when they do this. Once the ball is in the air with the bottom half of their stick they should tap the ball up and down; this is done by moving the arms up and down every time the ball comes back onto the stick. The lower down the stick it is done the easier it will be for the player as the stick is wider. Co-ordination of hands and eyes is very important in the 3D skills. 1.) Having mini races is a good way to see the strengths and weaknesses of the group and help them to improve technique. It introduces pressure but in a fun safe environment for the players.