Field Hockey: match play

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).

I am the Skipper of an under-achieving 2XI. Individually most of my players could play 1XI but opted for an easier life lower down the Club. I struggle to get them to training on-mass and so I'm limited to pre-match warm ups to get them all together. We tend to do well against strong oppo but take far too long to get going against weaker teams. Any suggestions to help us start with the correct momentum?

I coach an under 14 team and some of the players tend to dribble more often then pass (which is somewhat normal at that age). Anybody could suggest any training/ conditioned games where I could encourage more passing?

would like to set up a rota programme for subs with a squad of 16 so everyone gets pitch time and maximise fitness

What are the best methods to teach Junior 8 aside hockey players their positional roles and responsibilities?

Can you please assist me, I am coaching the 1st school team (0/18). we are playing 3-3-3-1 but there is a big gap between the forwards and links and also between the links and the backs. How can I change that. Is there any excercises that I can do with them or must we rather change the system??

I am looking for 6 a side hockey formations. We have been playing 3-1-1-1. Worked very well, however sweeper was so good, goalie never touched the ball. I want to move sweeper to goalie/ sweeper but our mid field player is too good to just play right. What to do? 2-2-1-1 or 1-3-1-1?     

How do you encourage positional play and spreading out on hockey field U9 girls level?

need some help with preparing a lesson plan for an assessment

I have recently taken on the role involving coaching junior hockey players (aged 10-13) who mostly have never played hockey before, and are very uninterested. Their basics are not good enough to play some games. How do I motivate them, and what kind of things shall I do in my session?

Have a team of older group of ladies who need to learn to pass the ball back, any good drills for this?

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?

I am doing A level PE and I need to find a coaching plan that includes a number of drills that get progressively harder. The plan has to be game based, I was thinking of doing one on possession but I cannot find drills that link together and get harder. Please help, Thanks

Hi,I perhaps naively, expected to have most of our team from last year carry over and only have a few new comers to integrate and get up to speed with the rest. However meeting the team at our first practice last night i find I have five players still at school from last year and the rest all new comers, most of whom had not held a hockey stick at all till practice.This being only my second season coaching (year 9 to year 13 boys) has left me feeling a little blindsided, and feeling quite unsure how to prepare practices that target both groups of boys. Do i lump them both groups together, keep them separate? What drills/exercises to best bring the new comers up to speed.I don't want to neglect either group, keep practice worthwhile for the experienced boys, but also bringing the new comers up to a level were they can mix in with the others and learn organically from them while practicing as a team. David

I find it impossible to find recent full match videos to show to my youngsters especially on those frosty mornings when training is cancelled. I have tried FIH and England Hockey who frankly are woeful at providing coaching support. Can anybody help me source recent full matches. Thanks Mark

Hi all,I would like to ask what is the best formation to play a 7-a-side match(under-18) when u have strong defence(key player in defence) but unexperienced midfield. I had in mind 3-2-1 while defending and 2-3-1 while attacking. Any suggestions please?

Hi,I perhaps naively, expected to have most of our team from last year carry over and only have a few new comers to integrate and get up to speed with the rest. However meeting the team at our first practice last night i find I have five players still at school from last year and the rest all new comers, most of whom had not held a hockey stick at all till practice.This being only my second season coaching (year 9 to year 13 boys) has left me feeling a little blindsided, and feeling quite unsure how to prepare practices that target both groups of boys. Do i lump them both groups together, keep them separate? What drills/exercises to best bring the new comers up to speed.I don't want to neglect either group, keep practice worthwhile for the experienced boys, but also bringing the new comers up to a level were they can mix in with the others and learn organically from them while practicing as a team. David

I really have a big problem with my u/15 girls.  They just can't play as a team. Any advice please. There's always a fight between someone. Mariette

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?

I am the Skipper of an under-achieving 2XI. Individually most of my players could play 1XI but opted for an easier life lower down the Club. I struggle to get them to training on-mass and so I'm limited to pre-match warm ups to get them all together. We tend to do well against strong oppo but take far too long to get going against weaker teams. Any suggestions to help us start with the correct momentum?