Hockey Drills

Set up a line of cones about 5 to 8 metres away from the boards forming a long thin pitch. Make two end zones 2 teams of 4 nominate a player to stand in their side's allocated end zones. The player in the end zone is the support player and can be used to keep possession. The aim of the game is for one of the teams to pass or dribble into their end zone.

It is important that the team in possession plays the ball around and down the boards into the midfield players and back until the shape of the dice is lost and attack down the board to play the ball to the opposite side for the up coming midfielder to score an open goal.

One of the players on the half way line passes the ball back to the two central defenders (7 and 8) The midfielder may then make him/herself available. The aim is to try and score a goal but try to attack round the outside The two attackers (1 and 2 are being man to man marked. Defenders are not allowed out of the half.

- Pitch split into 6 zones - 6 outfield players - Use of goalkeepers beneficial to drill - Play across half a pitch - Pass at right angles (90 ball) between the boxes - When the final player receives a pass, they should attempt to score a goal - Once shot has been taken, reset the drill from the end where the shot has just been taken from

Progression from the previous drill (1 vs 1 Defence A and B). Start the game more open, so the defence have to work harder to force the attack to their forehands.

2 teams play a 6v6 game, with a left and a right central zone marked out with cones. In each of the central zones there should be 1 player from each team. Players who are defending (on both teams) can only stay in their starting zones, whereas players who are attacking can run across zones to support the attack and create the overloads (2v1).

Game with 4 goals - where each team has two goals in which they can score. Make sure that the distance between the 2 goals encourages the player to change the point of attack.

Players are trying to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible. Players inside the area can use the two players on the outside of the grid to help them keep the ball.

Practice starts with player 3 passing the ball to player 2. Who in turn passes the ball to player 1. Player 3 has run towards the top of the circle to receive the ball form player 1 and shoots at goal. Rotation of players - 1 moves to 2, 2 moves to 3, 3 moves to 1.

Set out lines of cones in two different colours. One player always along the red line and the other always along the blue cones. Players pass the ball to the other player every time they reach a cone, culminating in a switching of sides and changing of passing order when they reach the final cone.

Moving back and forth between two cones players make straight and diagonal passes to each other while moving.

Every player has a ball. The designated leader (chosen by the coach) sets off in any direction with the ball. All other players must follow in the same direction. On the command of STOP by the leader all the players have to stop and stand with the stick head in front of the ball. Coach should check everyone's position and correct where necessary. The leader then starts to move again but in a different direction.

Play keep ball. Teams need to keep possession for as long as possible or up to a set number of passes (first to 10 passes etc.) Try and take the predictability out of the game by disguising where the ball is going and using sudden changes of pace and direction.

3 v 1 - players with one ball between them. The players in possession have to pass the ball to each other while one player (white 1) attempts to catch the player in possession of the ball. On doing so, the player caught becomes the catcher.

Player 1 dribbles across the square. Player 2 starts without the ball and takes over possession and carries on dribbling across.

Players 1 and 2 play a 2v1 against the first defender, before then moving on to the second defender. They then run into the circle and try and score. Players 3 and 4 go into the circle to help with rebounds. Rotation, players 1 and 2 become the rebounders.