Hockey Drills

A great one for players to practice on their own and to develop shooting on the run. In this drill the player has to hit the ball into the goal, collect it, run around the cone and then hit the ball again.

One ball between three or four. Front player runs with the ball in any direction, rest of the players follow. On the whistle the front player leaves the ball and goes to the back. Next player takes over etc;

The players each have a ball. On the coaches command the defending team comes in to the area and tries to hit all the balls out. If a player gets his ball hit out then they can stay in and help their team mates by finding space to receive a pass. Progression: Change the numbers for this drill to 3 defenders with 8 attackers with 8 balls.

A. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. B. Player 1 then follows his/her own pass. C. Player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 for a wall pass back in the space D. Player 2 runs onto the ball and has a shot at goal.

To improve running with the ball and changing direction players have to run around the cones creating a figure of eight as they go around the centre cone before then running out and around the outer blue cone. Players must dribble forehand around the middle cone and then reverse the stick around the outside cone.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Closing down Objective : To encourage a defender to close down rapidly, reducing the time the opponent has on the ball but at the same time avoiding a situation where they get too close and are eliminated.  Purpose : By closing down the attacker and running alongside them forces the attacker wide and to continue down the line, rather than coming inside to attack a more dangerous part of the field. Structure : 2 attackers + 1 defender  Channel onto teammate  Objective : To introduce the concept of channelling the ball carrier onto a team mate to complete the tackle.  Purpose: For the defender to dictate where the attacker goes so the cover defender can win the ball with a low hard tackle.  Structure : 2 attackers+ 2 defenders, in a narrow 10 yard channel.  

The player stands facing the cones. Standing still the player should move the ball around the cones in a figure of eight shape.

In this test the player has to aim the ball at the target, either dragging, slapping or pushing the ball.

This system gives support to the backline as well as the midfield. It relies on the 2 forwards to do a lot of running in defence and play further forward when their team is in possession. When to use: If your team is very fit and want to force the other team back by creating overloads in your defence and midfield.

This system is more attacking then the sweeper behind system (1-1-3-3-3). The advantage of this set-up is that you have a free player behind the midfield (highlighted). This creates a numerical advantage for your team in the middle. This overload will help your team, especially your attackers, to push forward and penetrate the opposition's circle. When not in possession you will have an extra man to support your midfielders. This arrangement gives more opportunities to 1/2 court press and/or full press the opposition. When to use: You would employ this system if your midfiled is being overrun and is struggling to cope with the opposition, but your back line is coping with their players.

Players are trying to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible. Players inside the area can use the two players on the outside of the grid to help them keep the ball.

two teams  1/2 pitch. Ball starts on the half way line each time. The practice starts each time after the coach calls which two players of the defence have to run thorugh which gate before joining in the defence again. As soon as the coach calls out the numbers the attackers can start the attack and try to exploit the overload depending on which defenders have to do the gate run. and through which gate before being able to defend.

Game with 4 goals - where each team has two goals in which they can score. Make sure that the distance between the 2 goals encourages the player to change the point of attack.

Players play a normal game of hockey with the added rule that the players are only allowed to touch the ball 2 or 3 times.

Player 1 dribbles across the square. Player 2 starts without the ball and takes over possession and carries on dribbling across.

One team attacks and the other defends. The attacking team will stay on the attack until the defending team carries the ball, under control, over the half way line. At that moment the defending team becomes the attacking team and vice versa.