Field Hockey: mixed ability

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 have an assessment and the task is "Working the ball out of the back left hand corner of defence" - I have a mixed ability group of male and female players including a goalkeeper and have to train them for a one hour session including warm up skills sessions and game related play including progression. Does anyone have any ideas? At presnt I am thinking about focusing on positional play and perhaps doing a bit on possessional play/posting up before the game play situation...any thoughts?

Hello Everyone! I coach at many schools and a reoccouring problem is that there are always 2/3 players that are too good for the rest of the team. I can't keep giving special conditions to the these children to make it fair (E.g. they have to play in defence) or they will feel I am picking on them. Any ideas? Robert

I'm really struggling with teaching a really big mixed ability group at school. 35 girls ranging from county level to struggling to hold the stick correctly. i've done mixed ability tournaments and splitting them, but its getting a bit stale. any ideas? Pretty basic I know, but hey, we've got to start somewhere!

In one of your weekly email, Sportplan advertised a Junior 10 week Hockey Session Plan, is this still available and if so,  where can I download this from please?? I need the plan to suit various skill levels of players as we've got a mixed ability of players to coach in the session.

Training 30 Girls as a group before trials. What drills are best to get everyone involved. Take into account ages between 14 and 17.

I help coach around 30 players, they are of completely differing abilities and ages. For a while I have been using the same first drill/warm up of getting into groups of 4/5 players and having cones in a line in front of them which they have to use different methods of getting the ball to and then passing back to the rest of the team from the 1st cone, then next time from the 2nd cone (and so on) I find this works ok but would like a new/more fun way to get them ready after our run and dynamic stretches. Any help/suggestions gratefully received.

Hi all,I've got my level 2 assessment coming up on Sunday and I just wanted to quickly check whether there's a 'recommended' structure to the session plan.Btw, this is a level 2 practical assessment and is with juniors (U14s).One coach has suggested a 3 part approach:1) techniques and skills required2) unopposed 3) opposedThe theme I'm choosing, which is a bit of a generic one, is defending in a channel (as I'm a defender and it's pretty straight forward).I'm not really looking for info on what exactly to include (i.e. theme specific) but rather general structure or whether E.H. have an approved structure to sessions?My session's on Sunday, so a quick reply would be awesome.Thanks,Gary

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

Who can help me to develop a tool to manage the substitutional players during a match? I manage a team of 15 girls of 12-14 years old with different levels of hockey experience. To arrange the substitutes is quite complicated and I am searching for a helpful tool.

I have been given my first team ever!! They are 11 year old girls and I wanted guide/ recommendation on how I should structure my one hour sessions? E.g. how long should I spend on a warm up, drill etc. .Cheers,Freya

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

FORMATION HELP NEEDED! What formation would be suitable for a mixed gender team aged 16-18!? Most of the players have not played anything other then 442, but i want to attack with 3 forwards. any suggestions?