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Identify when the PC shot is a drag or a hit

When the PC shot is identified as a drag, it seems the defenders should veer away, else suffer the penalty shot if they get a body hit high? Whereas if it is instead identified as a hit, run straight, then if it hits feet, another PC, or if it is higher then it is turnover and maybe pain? If so, I guess the expert defenders are used to quickly deciding whether it is a drag or a hit, so whether to veer off for the drag, or to stay on track for the hit, protect feet, or if the hit is higher then take some pain for the benefit of the team? I am coaching young girls at present, where the penalty shot is not used yet. I dont play hockey myself, but the Olympics shows these events. Although the replays, sunlight reflection and the angles were a bit dissapointing.
Hockey CoachCoach

Alternate / complementary formation suggestions to 4-3-3?

Hi, last season after asking here, we played the 4-3-3 formation. We took the field in this formation and played the whole game this way. This worked really well for us last season, we got promoted and finished 3rd in our new grade. However we came unstuck in the semi finals where the team we were playing identified what we were doing and played the same formation against us in the second half, leaving us unable to make any inroads for the remainder of the game.Our team is from a small school, made up of year 7-13 boys playing against larger schools of year 9-13 boys, though i would guess we played against teams at the older end of the range. We can't match others teams in age & size or depth of experience yet, so we must play smarter.What are possible alternative formations and how would the team identify the need to switch between formations?David Smith
David SmithCoach, New Zealand
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