Hockey: Roller Ball

One team runs clockwise round the inside of the circle with the other team running anti-clockwise around the outside of the circle (blue cones).

When the coach shouts 'Jailbreak' the players inside the inner circle try to 'escape' to outside the 10m x 10m square (yellow cones).

The inside team scores a point for each 'jailbreaker' - swap over. If you have an odd number of players give the defenders the extra man.

Setup:

1. Lay out sticks on the ground about 1 metre apart.
2. Six sticks should be laid in a continuous straight line.
3. Five cones in a zig-zag formation.
4. Use ladders or a line of two cones close together (about 30cm between each pair).
5. Place a stick on a pair of cones x6, about 1 metre between each one.

The drill:

1. Players run in and out of the sticks
2. Players jump with feet together over the sticks (from left to right followed by right to left)
3. Run round the cones, the players should touch the cone with the inside hand each time
4. Players touch the pitch with one foot between each space
5. Players run through and over as fast as they can. Check that they lift their knees nice and high going over the hurdles.

Jogging gently in lines of about 4 / 5, one behind the other. The back player moves to the front of the line (not a sprint but quicker than a jog) and slows to a jog. The front person chooses where to run and leads the group.

Spread your team anywhere inside the half of a pitch. Only give your team 3 balls.

You may pass the ball around to anyone inside the half. This will create a lot of talking and activity.

Do this exercise for about 5 minutes. It is important that the players keep talking and moving off the ball, always making themselves available to receive the ball.

For quick decision making do the same exercise inside the circle.