Field Hockey: full pitch

Here is one example I use.I put out this slalom as the test whenever confronted with a large group of mixed ability players that need to be put into equal ability groups to play a game or to be coached. The slalom incorporates lots of the aspects of the techniques required by the individual players to play the game of hockey. I.e. running with the ball, fast and controlled, changing direction with the ball pivoting, stopping the ball etc.I normally set up 2 - 4 identical slaloms, see attachment, and have 4 coaches or helpers with a stopwatch (mobile phones are great for this).To record the score I normally put a label on the stick of each player so they can write down their time. Once all players have recorded a time, ask the players to stand in time order on the sideline. Once the players are in order you can put the 10 fastest times to play a 5 aside game across 23 meter area and the next 10 in the next 23 meter area and so on up to 40 players playing on one full pitch. The last few changes you might now need to make are the players that perform better or weaker on any particular pitch (should not be to many).

what is the best way for a half to get fit?

diagram of hockey pitch

What are the main principles of pressing to gain possession?

Does anyone have a link to a few GOOD Hockey Specific fitness tests. And I'm not looking for bleep tests which is somewhat out of date. Many thanks

Pressing...Half court press - full court press...please can you de - mystify/clarify.

What are the best things to get your players to do when you come up against a full press / 3/4 press, anything that's putting a lot of pressure on high up the pitch?

How should a women team,that cannot use the scoup or an overhead,do when the oposit uses a full press at a 16yd hit??Thank you...

Giving my age away there, but we are a rapidly growing club with an influx of Junior players threatening to overwhelm us. Can anyone give me advice as to how many children can be safely accommodated on a full sized hockey pitch? We hope to have a coach to player ratio average of 1%3A10, lower for younger age groups.

Hi I am a first timer coach, my team is u/11 year old girls. Some of the girls are first timers too.. how can I have a productive practice of one hour?

My team will be joining a 6 a side (6's) hockey tournament next week.Can you share with me some tactical setup, attacking and defensive, for this 6's format? A few information that would be beneficial for your consideration.6's played on full hockey pitch (astroturf 91.5m55m) 15 minutes game time (no halftime) a goalkeeper needed, cannot be a lastman I would like to thank you in advance.

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

With pre season looming can you give any advice as to the best training method for ladies hockey team

Hi all, thank you for taking the time to read my question. I was hoping for some clarity around 'presses'Pressing oppositions 16- Full press3/4 pressHalf courtWhat are the pro's and cons offensively of each and in what situation would you suggest using each?

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

how to play half press and full press

My girl's team is playing a 9 a side full field tournament. I'm thinking of a 3-4-1-keeper. I think the keeper neesd to stand high on the D and act as a sweeper. What are your thoughts?

Hi allI am looking for advice on how to implement processes in my girls school hockey team. processes of setting up presses, defensive structures and counter attacking thinking. I have 14 players in the team from 15 years old to 18. we train twice a week. only a few play club hockey as well. We either play a 3-1-4-2 or a 3-1-3-3.I find it difficult for example, when you want to teach a press on the opposition 16, to simulate gameplay with only 14 players (if they are all at training). I can have my halves setup for taking the 16 and then get my strikers and links to setup, but then I still want defenders to see things from the back but they are taking the 16? Also when taking the 16 they then don't have any support in the drill because everyone else is setting up a press?I know we need to work on our basics in order for the other tactics and skills and game plans to work. However I find it frustrating with this team that on counter attacks for a few reasons which I am struggling to mend;- they only head forward. No one holds up the ball to wait for support.- they run straight and don't use angles- they pass too late and get tackled - they don't have the vision to see an early pass or pass into space- players without the ball do not run into useful positions and angles and get caught out by the person with the ball who then makes a pass to no one and it runs out of play.So suggestions please for;- open, creative but simple counter attacking- teaching processes for presses on free hits and 16s- coaching how to take 16s and work your way out- coaching vision and expecting your players to be in support. RegardsMatt

Hi all- I am 37 years old. I played field hockey for 3 years only (in high school). As you can imagine, I'm not very good/experienced. I was a competitive soccer player which made me good enough athletically to play field hockey but anyway, the point is: I never played field hockey at a high level.I now find myself in a head coaching position. (Long story-I did coach some field hockey some years ago and had a blast but it was a while back). Anyway, I have three assistant coaches who aren't much more experienced than I am. Our high school program is VERY weak and so nobody really steps up to coach there.Basically, my question is: what do I do? I have some girls who have played but not much. Then I have girls who literally don't know how to hold their stick and are quite I athletic. We barely have enough girls to field a team. As for drills, I'm trying to use this site but if you were in my position, what specifically would you be doing with these girls so they don't lose 7-0 every game? Right now, I'm focusing on body control and comfort with the ball- (we are playing possession and they are so uncomfortable they just hit the ball away because they don't have the skills to hold). Any help you can give is greatly appreciated!Brooke Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

What are the best things to get your players to do when you come up against a full press / 3/4 press, anything that's putting a lot of pressure on high up the pitch?