Thomas Tichelman is one of the most influential coaching minds in modern hockey. His work with Dutch development programmes has produced generation after generation of world-class attacking players. At the heart of his philosophy are six principles of attacking acceleration that every coach can apply.
These principles aren't complicated tactical systems. They're fundamental concepts that, when understood and trained, transform how teams attack. Here's what they are and how to develop them.
Principle 1: Vertical Progression
The first instinct should always be forward. Too many teams build possession sideways, moving the ball across the pitch without ever penetrating. Tichelman's first principle is simple: if you can go forward, go forward.
This doesn't mean long balls or hopeful passes. It means recognising when forward passing lanes exist and using them immediately. It means body position that faces up the pitch. It means the constant question: can I advance the ball?
Training focus: Play games where goals from attacks that include a certain number of forward passes count double. This rewards vertical play and punishes safe sideways possession.
Principle 2: Speed of Ball Movement
The ball moves faster than any player. Fast ball movement stretches defences, creates gaps, and generates overloads before the defence can reorganise. Slow ball movement lets defenders shift, recover, and close spaces.
This requires technical excellence - clean receptions, crisp passes, good body position to receive and release quickly. It also requires mental speed - knowing what you'll do before the ball arrives.
Training focus: Set touch restrictions in training games. Two-touch hockey forces quick decisions. One-touch combinations reward preparation and anticipation.
Principle 3: Width and Depth
Attacking teams need to stretch the defence both horizontally and vertically. Width pulls defenders apart, creating passing lanes through the middle. Depth creates space between defensive lines for attackers to receive.
Without width, the defence can compress centrally. Without depth, there's no space in behind to exploit. The best attacking teams constantly manipulate defensive shape through movement off the ball.
Training focus: Create specific "width zones" in training where at least one player must always be positioned. This builds the habit of stretching the pitch.
Principle 4: Creating Overloads
Hockey is won in numerical advantages. If you can create a 3v2 or 2v1 in any area of the pitch, you have an advantage. The challenge is creating these overloads quickly before the defence can adjust.
Overloads come from intelligent running, quick ball movement, and players arriving in spaces from unexpected areas. The midfielder who makes a run beyond the striker, the defender who joins the attack - these movements create momentary advantages.
Training focus: Play small-sided games where one team has a permanent overload (4v3, 5v4). This trains both creating and exploiting numerical advantages.
Principle 5: Penetrating the Circle
Possession outside the circle doesn't win games. The ultimate aim of attack is to get the ball into dangerous positions where goals can be scored. This requires a finishing mentality - the willingness to take risks to enter the circle.
Players need confidence to take on defenders, technical skill to execute in tight spaces, and the game understanding to recognise when circle entry is possible.
Training focus: Score systems where circle entries are rewarded regardless of whether a shot follows. This encourages the penetrating mindset.
Principle 6: Transition Speed
The most dangerous attacking moments come immediately after winning possession. The defence is disorganised, players are out of position, and there are gaps to exploit. Teams that transition quickly punish these moments.
Transition speed is mental as much as physical. The moment you win the ball, the mentality must shift instantly from defending to attacking. The first pass should be forward if possible. Supporting runs should start immediately.
Training focus: Play transition games where possession changes trigger immediate attacks. Reward goals scored within seconds of winning the ball.
Integrating the Principles
These six principles don't work in isolation. They overlap, support each other, and combine in fluid ways. A team with excellent vertical progression but poor width will be easy to defend. A team with great transition speed but no penetrating ability won't score.
The goal is to develop all six principles simultaneously, with players understanding how they connect. Training sessions should incorporate multiple principles, and players should be able to articulate which principles they're applying in any situation.
The Dutch Way
What makes Tichelman's approach distinctly Dutch is the emphasis on player understanding over rigid systems. Players aren't told exactly what to do - they're given principles that guide decision-making. This produces creative, adaptable attackers who can solve problems on the pitch.
As a coach, your job is to create the conditions where these principles can be learned through experience. Set up games, create constraints, and let players discover solutions. The principles become internalised rather than imposed.
Key Coaching Points
- Forward first - always look to advance
- Speed of ball kills defensive organisation
- Stretch the pitch in width and depth
- Create and exploit numerical overloads
- Be brave in penetrating the circle
- Transition instantly when possession changes
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