Field Hockey | Overload situations Drills

Feed the ball from the half way line to the player being marked (7). The marked player has to receive the ball and try to keep possession, allowing the 2 supporting players from the half way line to run up. The ball should then be passed to one of the players, who should run into the circle with the ball. The player should then shoot or pass to score a goal.

Team of 9 players all playing in their position on the pitch. and 5 defenders trying to get possession of the ball. The attacking team has to try an run the ball incontrol across the half way line.

Player on half way line passes the ball to nearest attacker, who, on receiving the ball will try to score a goal with the other attacker - 2v1. The defender on the half way line can run back to try and help stop the attackers scoring the goal.

Player on half way line passes the ball to nearest attacker, who, on receiving the ball will try to score a goal with the other attacker - 2v1. The other defender on the half way line can run back to try and help stop the attackers scoring a goal. It is important that the attackers attack at speed.

The LD takes a hit in from the side line. Their compulsory pass is to the the SW. As soon as the ball is played the 3 players with the ball have to get the ball out of the 23m area. (Tip is that one ot the 3 players with the ball always takes a position between the two defenders).

The LM starts with the ball. His/her compulsory pass is to the LW. As soon as the ball is played, the 3 players with the ball have to try and score a goal. The defenders start in the circle but can only defend outside the circle.(Tip is that one of the 3 players with the ball always takes a position between the two defenders).

2 players try and keep possession of the ball against 1 defender who has to put pressure on the player with the ball. The passing players should occasionally try and mask their gaze, possibly by looking in the opposite direction to their intended pass, though not all the time.

Working in pairs players have to play 1 touch passes across the river (2 lines of cones about 2 meters apart). If one of the players touches the ball twice they should stop and go back, joining the queue again. This way only the players who successfully pass their way down the river can have a shot at goal (again with their first touch). Players in pairs have to try and 1st touch pass the ball across the river if one of the players touches the ball twice they should stop and come back so only if the players are successful all the way they can have a shot at goal (again with their first touch.)

Only defender is allowed to leave the square and the other one has to stay in their grid and can only be leave if the other defender has returned inside their grid. The attackers have to keep possession and try to create an overlap to get a player behind the defender. Once the players have achieved this the other winger can come into the circle and receive the ball to try and score.

The player with the ball runs around the cone before then trying to pass the ball to the player standing behind the defender. To get the ball past the defender players should dummy and try to pass past the left foot of the defender. The receiving player has to run the ball around the cone before attempting to pass the ball back to the other side. If the defender intercepts the ball players must change roles.

Working in pairs players have to work their way down the cones, passing across the river (2 lines of cones about 2 meters apart). The player who receives the final pass may have a shot on goal before then collecting the ball. When both players are ready they then sprint to the back of the queue, racing each other as they go.

The Left wing(LW) receives ball from Left midfield (LM) and takes the ball into the zone where the right defender(RD) can try and win the ball. Just before the LW loses the ball he/she turns away from the RD and passes the ball to LM. It is important that LM stays outside the zone and straight behind the LW. When the LM receives the ball he/she has to try and get the ball to Right midfield(RM) either direct or via the Center midfield (CM) depending what The defending midfielder (DM) is doing. The DM is restricted to the coned area and therefore can only intercept when LM runs with the ball into that area. Pass and follow sequence LM-LW-CM-RM-LM (RD + RMD should be switched every so often).

Players in pairs with the ball on the right. Player 1 runs into the circle towards the defender. The defender  runs out, with their body positioning blocking the direct pass to the support player (player 2). Just before the player 1 gets within tackling range of the defender they perform the reverse stick drag to go around the defender's reverse stick side (defender is not allowed to run back). Next the player runs to commit the keeper and then passes the ball to the support player on the far post for that player to sweep the ball into the open goal (first time shot).

Player 1 passes the ball to player 2, who plays a 2v1 with player 3 through the channel. Once through, the attack becomes a 4v2 to try and score a goal. The defender in the channel stays and waits for the next attack.

2 v 1 with depth. Blue player starts with a self pass and runs at the defender with the option of then passing the ball to the deep player or taking the defender on themselves. The defender is allowed to move to try and win the ball. When the ball reaches the other side the practice reverses and continues in the other direction.

No matter where you are on the pitch, if you feel that you cannot continue to apply pressure towards the goal Then start to play away from defender, and play the ball to your supporting player; this player then has the choice to: 1.Change the point of attack by passing the ball across the pitch, or 2.Pass the ball to the original player.

Set out a pitch 3/4 length, with two lines of cones to make the pitch slightly narrower. The white team in the middle has to try and score a goal at either end against either set of defenders to get out. Every time the defence gets the ball they must give it back to the attackers who then have to attack the other side. Defenders are only allowed to defend inside the 23 m area, the defenders at the other end are not allowed to defend past the 1/2 way line.

4 players have to try and play the ball from one side of the area to the other by passing it between or around the 2 players in the middle area. 5 interceptions, then swap.

The player with the ball starts to run down the pitch towards the goal. The supporting player stays slightly behind but moves up the pitch on the other side of the line of cones. When the player with the ball starts to run across the line of cones to the other side the supporting player should at this stage cross over and switch to the other side. The player with the ball can then pass the ball and the practice continues with the new player in possession. Once players run past the final cone the player in possession has a shot on goal.

Player 1 runs into the circle and if the defender does not approach, player 1 can shoot at goal. Alternatively if the defender approaches, player 1 can play a one two with player 2 and then shoot at goal. Player 2 needs to run out to make him/her self available for the pass from player 1. Same practice on the other side of the circle.