Field Hockey | Eliminating a Player Drills

- Group of players at one end - A set of coloured gates at the other - Passive defender in the middle - Players must utilise the V-drag from right to left to eliminate the defender - The defender should make a move towards the player, and extend a flat stick challenge, but should not attempt to take the ball - Ball should remain under control and dribbled through the red gate

- Line of players one side - Players should utilise the V-drag left to right to manouevre round the cones - Ball should remain under control through the gate

- Group of players at one end - A set of coloured gates at the other - Players run towards the line of cones, and utilise the V-drag from right to left to eliminate the obstruction - Ball should remain under control and dribbled through the red gate

- Elimination Skills - Utilising V-drag and Stutter step - Dribble towards the line of cones, using the V-drag to change direction - Move towards the final cone at pace, and then reset from the start - Run back towards the line of codes, using the stutter step before continuing in the same direction

- Elimination Skill - Utilising the V-drag - Left to right change of direction - Carry the ball towards the cones, utilise V-drag skill to change direction - Continue to carry the ball to the cone, then pass to next player

- Line of players one end - One passive defender in the middle - One forward team mate a few yards offset from the defender - Forward should drive into the area, and utilise a V-drag elimination or a wall pass to move around the defender - Ball should be under control after receiving wall pass  

- Line of players one end - Coloured gates at the other - One passive defender in the middle - One forward team mate a few yards offset from the defender - Forward should drive into the area, and utilise a V-drag elimination or a wall pass to move around the defender - Ball should be under control when taken through the gate

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaches Objective: To teach the attacker to eliminate the defender at speed by enticing the defender into making a challenge before moving the ball at speed away from them. Purpose: By beating the defender at high speed, it will set up fast counter attacks or create goal scoring opportunities by eliminating in and around the circle.

Set out 2 slaloms with players lining up behind both start cones. Players run with the ball in between the 2 cones to immidiately pull the ball back out from between the cones and change direction - to run around the single cone.

Revise Indian dribble and ensure the hands work correctly. Move the ball from outside the right foot to outside the left (as shown) and repeat

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaches Objective: To teach the attacker to use their body positioning and movement to commit the defender to their open stick side before eliminating with a lift on the reverse stick side. Purpose: By using your body to sell the defender one way opens up their other side to eliminate them to get through into the D for a goal shot or to them move the ball on. 

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaches Objective: To teach the attacker to eliminate the defender at pace by lifting the ball and changing the direction of it when it's in the air. Purpose: When the ball is lifted, the defender will stand more upright, reducing their reach and mobility. It also reduces their chances of making a clean tackle, therefore putting them in a vulnerable position.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaching Objective:  Develop the attackers ability to eliminate by widening their drag and accelerating away from the contest on their open stick side. Purpose: Being able to eliminate at lower speed is a great way to get out of situations where attackers are surrounded by defenders or a great way to set up counter attacks when you turn the ball over.

Setup the practice as shown. Player 1 runs at the right cone before dragging the ball across their body to their reverse stick and going around the cone. The player then passes the ball to Player 2 who repeats the exercise.

Left to Right method of passing.

The defender is only allowed to defend inside the zone. The 2 outside players can choose to pass from outside or inside the zone. The 2 players outside the area are looking to create a passing opportunity to get the ball to each other (passing through or around the defender). This skill is very important for the self pass.

- Passing off of the right foot - Open body up - 'Jump' into pass - Doesn't allow the defender to set themselves

Practicing the pull back skill in a controlled situation to perfect the skill. 1 v 1 between attacker and defender. Defender starts just behind and to the right of the attacker Attacker dribbles towards goal and slightly to the left, before completing the pull back skill This should cause the defender to run past the attacker, giving him space to get a shot at goal

Player runs to the left of the cone and pulls the ball back. He/she then runs to the next cone etc. On completion of the circuit, give the ball to the next player. 3 - 4 players per group, if space is limited and there are more then 4 players per group, use 2 balls.

*** AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON *** Coaches Objective: To teach the attacker to eliminate the defender by making them commit to a reverse stick tackle before dragging the ball back and eliminating them on their open stick side. Purpose: Defenders will often look to channel attackers onto their open stick side as it's easier to make a tackle and harder to eliminate as an attacker. Therefore, getting them to commit on their reverse stick side and eliminate on their open stick side can be a huge advantage.