HOME Hockey Drills Defending Skills

Hockey: Tackling in a Crowded Area

Excellent drills, very detailed videos. Useful site for my U15 boys...

Parry, U15 boys Hockey Coach

DESCRIPTION

- 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

COACHING POINTS

- The defender should have left foot forward
- Use the body to manipulate the forward's movement
- Defender should be on their toes, and should avoid planting their feet
- Use a jab feint to force the forward to move the ball into a position where you can make a stronger challenge

PROGRESSION

- Increase the box size to practice defenders footwork

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Terminator:

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.

Defending Skills

Under pressure:

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.

Defending Skills

Tracking Back:

- 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

Roles and Responsibilities