Field Hockey: structure

Is there some basic info (DVD, video or manuals) that outline basic positional play and roles for new players to the game. I have entered a school team (15-16 yr old girls) into a weekend comp. They are coming up against strong club teams who have been playing for several years. It has been difficult getting them to maintain some structure in their play - possession is a big problem. Also, hitting the ball is an issue - a skill that I have taken for granted as it has never been a problem with all the boys teams I have coached (even 7 amp; 8 yr olds) Any advice greatly appreciated.

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?     

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

Hi all,I've got my level 2 assessment coming up on Sunday and I just wanted to quickly check whether there's a 'recommended' structure to the session plan.Btw, this is a level 2 practical assessment and is with juniors (U14s).One coach has suggested a 3 part approach:1) techniques and skills required2) unopposed 3) opposedThe theme I'm choosing, which is a bit of a generic one, is defending in a channel (as I'm a defender and it's pretty straight forward).I'm not really looking for info on what exactly to include (i.e. theme specific) but rather general structure or whether E.H. have an approved structure to sessions?My session's on Sunday, so a quick reply would be awesome.Thanks,Gary

I have been given my first team ever!! They are 11 year old girls and I wanted guide/ recommendation on how I should structure my one hour sessions? E.g. how long should I spend on a warm up, drill etc. .Cheers,Freya

Can anyone please help me with a full training program for mini hockey for 6 weeks. The kidz are in Grade 2(8 yrs old), practise 2 a week for 45 min and play league games 1 a week.

Hey all, I am trying to implement a new structure for next season, and I want to get thoughts of others. I have my formation - do I start with working the ball out from defence and work forward, midfield, have certain set plays and movements? Where do you start in introducing the formation and player movements - big picture as in general philosophy, position by position? Any thoughts/comments would be greatly appreciated.Cheers,Brent

Hi, Have to deliver a coaching session for my university task with 2 other people (20min long) to a group of school kids (under 8's) with no experience or very little. Need some advice as to what is best to start with (drills etc). here are some guidelines: 1. What skill are you focusing on? 1 skill only 2. What are your 2 coaching points? 3. How will you structure the warm-up, skill practice (plus progression) and conditioned game (what is this???)

Why wont this session open for me when i log in its not there ??

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

What would the best structure to teach High School learners? there are too many to choose from

How does a midfielder control a counterattack in hockey?

we are often the better team,for three quarters we push the opposition but in the last quarter we concede 2 or more goals.We have a massive national tournament coming up with the best teams in the country,and I am afraid that this might cost us dearly.Does anyone have a drill or structure plan I could use?

We have an U12G hockey team with a couple of great players that support the team but last week we got beaten by man on man with our 3 main players heavily covered. Any ideas on a simple way to defuse a man on man defence?

how do we defend counter

Why does the covering defender not stay off the left shoulder of the front defender?

I have been given my first team ever!! They are 11 year old girls and I wanted guide/ recommendation on how I should structure my one hour sessions? E.g. how long should I spend on a warm up, drill etc. .Cheers,Freya

Hi all,I've got my level 2 assessment coming up on Sunday and I just wanted to quickly check whether there's a 'recommended' structure to the session plan.Btw, this is a level 2 practical assessment and is with juniors (U14s).One coach has suggested a 3 part approach:1) techniques and skills required2) unopposed 3) opposedThe theme I'm choosing, which is a bit of a generic one, is defending in a channel (as I'm a defender and it's pretty straight forward).I'm not really looking for info on what exactly to include (i.e. theme specific) but rather general structure or whether E.H. have an approved structure to sessions?My session's on Sunday, so a quick reply would be awesome.Thanks,Gary

2323 formation can it work?

Hi allI am looking for advice on how to implement processes in my girls school hockey team. processes of setting up presses, defensive structures and counter attacking thinking. I have 14 players in the team from 15 years old to 18. we train twice a week. only a few play club hockey as well. We either play a 3-1-4-2 or a 3-1-3-3.I find it difficult for example, when you want to teach a press on the opposition 16, to simulate gameplay with only 14 players (if they are all at training). I can have my halves setup for taking the 16 and then get my strikers and links to setup, but then I still want defenders to see things from the back but they are taking the 16? Also when taking the 16 they then don't have any support in the drill because everyone else is setting up a press?I know we need to work on our basics in order for the other tactics and skills and game plans to work. However I find it frustrating with this team that on counter attacks for a few reasons which I am struggling to mend;- they only head forward. No one holds up the ball to wait for support.- they run straight and don't use angles- they pass too late and get tackled - they don't have the vision to see an early pass or pass into space- players without the ball do not run into useful positions and angles and get caught out by the person with the ball who then makes a pass to no one and it runs out of play.So suggestions please for;- open, creative but simple counter attacking- teaching processes for presses on free hits and 16s- coaching how to take 16s and work your way out- coaching vision and expecting your players to be in support. RegardsMatt