My team are constantly allowing oppositions to score?

Gary ThompsonCoach, England

Hi Leanne. I'm a player and an amateur level coach (but qualified... and I work with both seniors and juniors), so you should consider me as a colleague trying to help, rather than someone who necessarily knows the answer %3A) You need to appreciate that the number of runners you use, where they run to & whether you have people on the post or the GK's pads will be determined by what routine you think the opposition are going to use. Also, the GK's behaviour is also shaped by the routine. For example, if you're facing drag-flicks, then the GK needs to stay on her feet but if it's a strike on goal, then the traditional doctrine is for the keeper to 'log'. Generally speaking, staying on your feet is a first option because it means the GK stays mobile and then can react to slip ball routines. Anyway, just so I'm not teaching you to suck eggs, what level are you playing at and what routines are the opposition using? Also, before a game, you may get the chance to observe the opposition practising short corners. Take this opportunity to see what routines they use, as that should prepare you / your defenders a bit for what to expect. Cheers, Gazza

Victor HardemanCoach, Canada

I made a animatie for my team how to defend the penalty corner, i drew the zone's and how to defend diferend corners type's off the opposite team. i think you run the so called 1 -3. the first runner must be very fast to keep pressure on the shot, stick in the right hand and run like crazy, the second runner follows on the left side of the first one, and give the first runner back cover. The one at the left post the leggaurd side off the keeper cover that zone and is the first one to take the rebound at the leggaurd side and pass it out off the D. The one at the right side is covering the zone near the post and backyard line and give pressure when the oppestite team pass the ball to the there left side. the attachment is in dutch but it give you an idea off how to defend a coner and witch zone evey player got

Bram van Asselt, England

Dear Leanne I would be interested to find out how the goals are being scored. Straight strike or after the ball is moved around the D before the shot at goal. If both which one more frequently. Bram

Hockey CoachCoach

Dear Mr.Leanne, i am too intrested like what Mr.Bram Van said that how the goals are being scored as that will tell where the exact weakness lies...

Fran O DonoghueCoach, Ireland

Dear Leanne, I am an amateur coach but in general I find the following useful. Runner 1 runs from the left of the gk with stick ready to block straight shot. The reason for left is if he/she runs from the right they will run across keepers line of vision for incoming shot assuming receiver is on the crown of the circle.. Runner2 runs from right post and their function is to block a shot if the ball is slipped to the left by the receiver on the crown as they look at goal. Runner2 also covers the middle if the ball is slipped right to draw runner2 and returned to centre to 1st receiver who has now moved into the circle centre to receive the return and have a shot from close in in front of the goal with both runners taken out. Do not allow runner 2 to be drawn over to the right(as the attacker views it) as that is what the opposition want you to do. If the ball is slipped right and the right hand option takes a shot the person on the left of the gk (looking out) post, who should at this stage be at least 5yards out, rushes the hitter and the goalkeeper moves to the left slightly and out a couples of yards to cut off the angles of the shot, bearing in mind that the shot is coming from a relatively difficult angle for the shooter. The remaining defender on the right of the gk is to cover the slip into player coming in along the end line waiting for pass that looks as if it is going wide to the right but is going to this player who is just next to that post and too wide of the keeper for the gk to cover it. The 2nd function of this right post player is to cover the gk rebound in the event of a drag flick or rebound off the pads. They do this by being a yard ahead of the gk and simply swivelling on their left foot, pointing their bottom towards the opposition goal and sweeping the ball out to the right leaving the opposition on the left side of the pitch from their viewpoint and making it more difficult to attack.The other purpose of having your back to the incoming opposition is to protect the ball and make it hard for them to rob it so close to goal and protect your gk. I have found, certainly at amateur level this short corner defence formation will cover most attack options effectively. Fran from Ireland

Hockey CoachCoach

try studying the opponents more closely. it might not be a matter of skill leave from your players but a small lack of anticipation. maybe it could be a case of training the defensive movement off the ball during the penalty corner. again, it is difficult to imagine your situation.

Leanne JohnstonCoach, Ireland

Thanks Guys, most of our goals are from straight shots, ones that should be easily saved. We are playing in the 2nd highest league in womens hockey in Ireland.

John SellwoodCoach, England

The traditional English 2-2 is something we learn while at school where we expect a straight hit and the keepers are usually too small to cover the goal. In the adult game we should expect more variation from the competition. If the opposition is deflecting in at the post or in front of the keeper try running a diamond this has the added benefit of intercepting wide slips and protecting the ‘P’ spot.