Field Hockey: passing for possession

Do you have a good drill for Long Corners ? Difficult to coach on a cold night - without people standing around too long...

Is there some basic info (DVD, video or manuals) that outline basic positional play and roles for new players to the game. I have entered a school team (15-16 yr old girls) into a weekend comp. They are coming up against strong club teams who have been playing for several years. It has been difficult getting them to maintain some structure in their play - possession is a big problem. Also, hitting the ball is an issue - a skill that I have taken for granted as it has never been a problem with all the boys teams I have coached (even 7 amp; 8 yr olds) Any advice greatly appreciated.

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

(Question submitted by email) I'll be coaching a new team over the next few months. What skills should I use to take them to the next level? Any suggestions?

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...

Hi, what drills are best for ensuring players keep their knees bent?

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?

Hi again Sportplan. I have recently been appointed the provincial head coach for the province i live in in Zimbabwe. I have been a selector for the u13 girls provincial side for three years prior to this. This is the first time i will be working with girls that i have not had the opportunity to build a raport with. My question (s) are as follows%3A 1)The Interprovincial Tournament is to be held on sand and astra turf fields this year. My girls will be at a destinct disadvantage living in the country we only play on grass fields. What would be the best way to prepare them for the fast, more predictable nature of turf play? 2)What would be the best way to gel the team quickly as it is made up of girls from many different schools? We only have two practise sessions available as a team before the tournament? Thanks, i hope you can give me a few more ideas to work with. Jason Zimbabwe

What are the best drills to help prepare for playing a 7v7 game?

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

overlapping outside halves ? or drop Midfield in hole?

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

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

My club has a 5s team which is predominantly young lad (15 upwards) but as of next season the juniors team will have 13 year olds who will be joining the mens league. as an older player (Compared to them anyway) myself and another player are going to start a kind of mentoring program to get the youngsters ready for the mens league. what is the best way and any tips what we should be taking note of etc?

advantages of playing 3-2-1 when playing 6 a side without a goalie

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

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