HOME Hockey Answers

Hockey Answers

JOIN THE CONVERSATION, EXPERTS ARE STANDING BY

ASK A QUESTION

Receiving the ball forward facing

Anybody any ideas on a conditioned game to encourage receiving the ball in a forward facing position?

Mark Stuart-ThompsonCoach, England

How to improve the ball transfer from midfield to forwards?

Dear colleagues, I am coaching a 1st women team (Argentina) and the system that is working for us very well is 3-1-3-3. Given the quality players we've got in the midfield and attack we try to emphasize our offensive game all the time. The problem I am struggling to resolve is that the forwards do not get involved in chances to score inside the circle very often. The few chances the forwards have they are able to score but it is our midfielders who most of the time get to the circle in possession with the ball. I would like to see a quick transfer of the ball from the midfielders to the forwards who need to be in touch with the ball more often during the game and have the midfielders supporting the attack rather than being the leaders of the attack.Is there any drill or way to improve this aspect of the game? Thanks for your time. Martin

Martin Vila-AiubCoach, Argentina

How do you teach children aged 7 how to play a hockey match?

I coach aged 7 children and I don't know how to teach them how to play a proper hockey match without all of them going for the ball and not staying in their positions. Do I put lines where they are not allowed to pass? or what?

BevCoach, South Africa

Re involving GKs in junior coaching sessions.

I really struggle to make practice fun and useful for the GKs. My attention is naturally focussed on the outfield players, meaning most of the time I simply have drills finishing with a shot on goal to keep the GK involved. Pretty boring for them. Any ideas how I can involve them more? Thanks, Charlie

Carol RidgeCoach, England

Decision making and moving forward after using the dish

Recently been working hard developing the use of the dish around the back to create space. Working great but would now like to develop this with more drills.We have discussed decision making, leading runs and movement but I'm now looking for ideas of exercises that will develop these thoughts amongst the guys. All ideas for exercises we could use at training gratefully received

Amanda woodTeacher, England

Rolling player substitution plan

Need help with planning a rolling subs with 11 players and 5 subs.Keeper,4 backs, 4 midfied, 2 strikers.Any ideas please

Barry PrestneyCoach, New Zealand

Tackling from wrong side

How do I teach kids to get body around to tackle from correct position? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Deirdre lithgowTeacher, New Zealand

How can I help my U12 girls to attack?

How can I help my u/12 girls to attack? At the moment they are running beside the opponent but not attacking the players.

carien Coach, South Africa

Tournament prep -building fitness.

I have just returned from coaching my first high school hockey tournament. It was great fun but the girls really felt it by the end of the tournament. I want to offer guidance in the form of a fitness build up to the girls for next season but am not sure what my expectations should be. How fit should you be looking to get if you are preparing to play 7 50min games over 5 days? And what types of fitness should I be suggesting? Sprinting and Intervals along with Swimming are things I feel that could be introduced. Ideally it needs to be accessable (not expensive or require special equipment), self managed (to an extent) and let it fit in with their daily rountine as best possible to give them the best chance to commit (i.e. I feel like suggesting they power walk to school rather than get dropped off will work better than asking them to join a gym to do the pelaton classes) Any ideas? Or things that have worked in the past?

Hockey CoachCoach

I'm looking for suggestions on set plays for free hits?

I'm looking for suggestions on set plays for free hits going into the circle. High school rules in the US now state that all players (attack/defense) must be 7 yards from the ball. What plans will work for drawing corners and goal scoring opportunities?

Ali CollinsCoach, United States of America

1 2 3 4 5 6 ...

GET YOUR QUERIES ANSWERED BY THE COACHING COMMUNITY OR ADVISE ON OTHERS PROBLEMS

With hundreds of Hockey answers, you can easily find solutions to your problems or help out your other coaches by starting discussions.

Add drills of training plans to elaborate on your questions
Ask specific questions, directly about a certain drill
Answers other peoples questions, using drills to illustrate your points

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 1000+ hockey drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

SIGN UP WITH EMAIL

or

Hockey

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_hockey

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Mandatory Face Masks: Adapting Your Penalty Corner Defence in 2026

Mandatory Face Masks: Adapting Your Penalty Corner Defence in 2026

2026 is the first full year with mandatory face masks for penalty corner defence. Here's how to train your defenders for the new equipment reality.

Sportplan Coaching

Constraints-Led Training: Designing Game-Based Hockey Sessions

Constraints-Led Training: Designing Game-Based Hockey Sessions

Move beyond drills and let your players discover solutions through play. The constraints-led approach is transforming how hockey is coached at every level.

Sportplan Coaching

6 Things Changing Field Hockey in 2026

6 Things Changing Field Hockey in 2026

From mandatory safety equipment to evolving tactical systems and player-centred coaching methods, field hockey is transforming. Here's what every coach needs to know for 2026.

Sportplan Coaching

VIEW ALL COACHING TRENDS

View more questions

View Hockey All Questions Archive

TRANSFORM YOUR TEAM'S SEASON WITH PROFESSIONALLY PLANNED SESSIONS

Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.

JOIN NOW

VIEW MORE QUESTIONS

See the whole archive of questions.

QUESTIONS ARCHIVE

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

search our library of 1000+ hockey drills
create professional hockey coaching plans
or access our tried and tested hockey plans

SIGN IN WITH EMAIL

or

Hockey

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the worlds largest hockey coaching resource for 1000+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.

LET'S DO IT