Hockey | Defending Skills

Players from the side of the area, pass the ball to a player in the goal. This player, on receiving the ball can try to run the ball under control out of the area across the 23 metre line. The player coming from the 23m line has to try and win the ball and score a goal.

- Ball is passeed to the left foot - Player receiving deliberately traps the ball on the reverse side

- Utilising a reverse stick pick challenge - 2 lines of players - One player will dribble in a straight line - The defending playing has to come from the left side and try to steal the ball

Playere lined up in a relay with 1 ball. Player starts by running with the ball into the grid and pass the ball to the player opposite. Player 2 has to run onto the moving ball collect and keep moving to pass the ball back to the other side .for player 3 to run onto the ball. Each player has to run to the back of the opposite side each time they have passed the ball.

Two players with one ball position them selves either side of a line. Ball carrier on the left and the other player on the right hand side of the line. Player with the ball then starts to run and tries to cross the line.The player with the ball can only do this by stopping or accelerating, he/she is not allowed to run back on him/herself.

Setup as shown. Blue players have to run along the line and try and lose their marker by stopping and starting, as well as using a change of pace. Players take it in turns to be the marker.

Players are split up into pairs One player starts with the ball and runs about 5 yards into space, with the defender behind them to the left The defender then must hook their stick round in front of the attacker to steal the ball if successful, the defender should change pace to accelerate away from the attacker that lost possession.

- Set up a rectangular box - One forward and one defender - Ball is bounced in, and the forward has to try and use elimination skills to get past the defender - The defender has try and gain possession of the ball

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.

- Ball is fed into a forward on the half way line T- spot - Two defenders - One defender is set slightly ahead of the forward - The second defender is on the half way line, and must run back to assist his team once the initial ball has been fed in

2 players have to try and pass the ball to each other. While the other 2 players have to close down the player on the ball. The defenders can tackle and intercept. The attackers can move anywhere along the line.