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Field Hockey: closed zones

closed zones DRILLS
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Closed Zones

The aim of this exercise is to encourage the players to attack down the wings. The attacking team is not allowed to pass or attack through the zone. Defenders, on winning the ball, have to try and get the ball out of the 23m area, also wide of the zone.

Conditioned Games

Closed Zones Conditioned Games...

The aim of this exercise is to encourage the players to attack down the wings. The attacking team is not allowed to pass or attack through the zone. Defenders, on winning the ball, have to try and get the ball out of the 23m area, also wide of the zone.

General

4v4 Endzone Game Conditioned G...

Set-up the pitch as shown. Place one player from each side in the opposite End Zone. Players have to try and get the ball to the player in the End Zone for them to then score a goal. Only the designated players are allowed in the End Zone.

General

Conditioned Game - 6v4 Attacki...

Divide your players into two teams of 6 and split the pitch into 3 areas with each area being approximately 15 meters in height.The condition for this game is that 2 players from both teams have to stay in the top third of the pitch (the opposition's scoring area) and cannot run back to offer support in the defence.This creates the 5v3 overload situation and should result in a high scoring game.

General

Close Circles Conditioned Game...

- 6 on 6<br />- Approximately half pitch game played across the length<br />- Full size D should be used (project onto the other goal)<br />- High intensity

General

Hockey: Practice to learn the ...

The defending team forms a line on the half way line of the pitch (in this case the 23m line).<BR>Any player from the opposition that runs beyond the line of defence, should be very tightly marked while inside the 1/2 court. Every time the attacking player runs back out. The defender should stop on the defensive line. Every time the team playing 1/2 court gains possession of the ball they should have a fast break situation. It is important that only 2 out of the 5 players should take the opportunity of this break, and not the whole team, because on losing the ball you still want to be able to continue playing the 1/2 court.

General

Inside out - Indoor hockey out...

Because of the similarities with indoor and outdoor hockey it is beneficial for the teams to practice indoor style games. Two 6 a-side teams, 2 goals, half a pitch. Put down 2 lines of cones from where the short corner is pushed out from on either side of the goal. Important: put down spare balls all around the outside of the pitch to allow the teams to pick up the nearest ball to where the ball rolled off, and continue the game immediately. The rules for this game, as with indoor hockey, are no hitting and no lifted passes.

General

9 Zone: Passive Defending Cond...

- Pitch split into 9 zones (3 x 3)<br />- 6 vs 6<br />- Can only ever have one forward and one defender in each area<br />- Forwards (white) cannot dribble ball from one area to another<br />- Defenders (red) cannot make a challenge, only intercept passes<br />- Players should post between the different areas to move up the pitch<br />-If ball is turned over, drill continues, with the red team becoming the forwards and the white team becoming the defenders

General

Continual Side Line Attacks Se...

2 equal teams in the circle and lots of balls on both side lines. The coach calls out a team. 1 of the players has to run to one of the sidelines and take the freehit. All the other players have to run to the 23 metre line before they can get involved. After each break down or shot at goal, coach calls out the next team.

General

6 Zone: Passive Defending Cond...

- 6 on 6 drill<br />- Split a half pitch into 6 sections<br />- A forward and a defender should be in each section<br />- Defenders can only intercept the ball (no tackling)<br />- Players must stay in there given section

General

4 Zone - 2v1 Game Conditioned ...

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).

General

9 Zone: No Pressure Conditione...

- Pitch split into 9 zones (3 x 3)<br />- 6 players<br />- Players should post between the different areas to move up the pitch<br />- Can pass through an entire box  i.e. left wing all the way to right wing

General

6 Zone: No Pressure Conditione...

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

General

Front defence zone game Indoor...

Set out a zone by splitting pitch into 3 equal areas. Two players with the ball try to pass the ball through the centre zone to their partner players on the other side. The 3 players in the middle zone can try and intercept the ball when they do so they can try to score a goal against the two player that they won the ball from - creating a 3 vs 2.

General

Passing through a line of defe...

Create 2 end zones either side of a line. 2 players are in each end zone and 2 defenders on the line. The players in the end zones can pass the ball to each other laterally but the aim is to try and pass the ball from one end zone to the other, without the ball being intercepted by the defenders who can only defend on the line. See how many passes the teams can score against the defenders. When the defenders have intercepted the ball 3 times the players who played the last pass change over and become the defenders.

General

Hockey: Receive in the ball in...

Play this game with two equal teams of players in the middle area and two Jokers. One jokers stands at each end of the playing area and has to stay in this grid (the scoring zone). Every time the team in possession passes the ball into the scoring zone and receives the ball back from the joker they score a point.

General

Dribble through - Defensive zo...

4 players inside the 23 meter area try to pass the ball through the defensive zone (the space between the 23 meter to the half way line) to the players in the other half. When the ball has successfully been played across to the other side the opposite team must try and play the ball back through the defensive zone. The 6 defenders inside the middle zone have to try and intercept the ball and break. When they get the ball they must try and score a goal against the players who lost the ball.

General

Slap Hit Zone Game Passing & R...

- 4 players have to move the ball across the box containing one defender<br />- Players must remain close to the corners of the box<br />- The defender can move along the line from side to side, but cannot encroach on the players hitting<br />- If the ball is intercepted, swap the defender in the middle with the player who hit the ball

General

Hockey rugby Movement off the ...

2 teams try and score by running the ball into the scoring zone. Rules are: You can only pass the ball back of square. The defensive players are not allowed to go beyond the line of the ball. For the rest of the time, players can run with the ball and tackle.

General

Round the Back Conditioned Gam...

Play 5 vs 5 or 6 vs 6 with goals facing to the side line (can also be played with one goal positioned on the top of the circle turned to the back line and the other goal 15 metres inside the half way line facing away from the other goal). Teams try to score a goal, encouraging players to go deep.

General

Using the Boards Indoor Hockey...

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.

General

King Ball Conditioned Games - ...

This is a game where you learn to pass the ball beyond defenders, to players in space. No aerial ball allowed. Two teams positioned either side of the 23m line. One player from each team goes to the end zone behind the opposing team. The team with the ball has to try and pass the ball into the end zone behind the defence. Whoever makes the successful pass can join the player in the end zone. The aim of the game is to be the first team to have all their players in the end zone behind the opposition. The ball can only be won by the opposition intercepting a ball on the way to the end zone or back.

General

Playing against Dice defence I...

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.

General

Interception Defending Skills ...

Setup the practice as shown.2 Players start in end zones opposite each other with the aim of trying to pass the ball to each other without getting intercepted by the player in the middle.

General

Front Defence Game Indoor Hock...

Place a cone in the middle of the halfway line. Two players start with the ball on the halfway line with a 3rd player standing and waiting just behind them. After the attacking player passes the ball to the two defenders in front of them the two players on the half way line move to try and win the ball back. The two defenders with the ball have to try and get the ball to the player who is still stood on the halfway line. However, if the two front players closing down the ball win the ball the 3rd player (on the halfway line) can then help them to score a goal, creating a 3 vs 2 situation.

General

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closed zones SESSIONS
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Man to Man Marking Behind the ...

Conceding sloppy goals? Reinforce good habits to improve your players' defensive movement and communication.
closed zones ANSWERS
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2:4:4:1system....how to play i...

Suggestions on how to play this system. I have very young 1st team so feel i must play defensive hockey. Thanks

Bev Koch Coach, South Africa

How do you teach children aged...

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?

Bev Coach, South Africa

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