Field Hockey: passing from defence

passing from defence DRILLS
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passing from defence ANSWERS
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Getting out of High Press

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?

Simon Lowry Coach, Ireland

Right-Wing Position

My daughter plays U13 hockey in the position of right wing.She gets different advice from her school coach and her club coach.I want to make sure that she is getting the right advice as she is passionate about her hockey. Firstly, exactly what is the full function of a right wing at this level of hockey (she will be going to U15 club hockey and U14 school hockey next season) She has a good understanding of the game and appears to me to read it well (I only played school level many years ago and things change) When her team is in the offensive position in the “D” she mostly waits at goal post to deflect ball into goal.  She appears to not be involved.  Comments from spectators have been made as to why she just stands there. There is a very skilled player in her team who hits the ball EXTREMELY hard.  I believe that at this level of hockey these extremely hard hits/passes do not achieve anything, they just keep going out. However, please can you advise on how to stop and control these very hard passes (that is if one can get to them) in order to move on with the game. Lastly, can you send some drills/exercises to get her eye in as well as positioning her body correctly for goal shooting.  The “hard hitter” and my daughter seem to be the main goal shooters of the team. Many thanks Lynne

Archived User Coach

How to improve the ball transfer from midfield to forwards?

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

Martin Vila-Aiub Coach, Argentina

Outletting against a half court press?

overlapping outside halves ? or drop Midfield in hole?

Archived User Coach

Who marks the player with the ball when marker is beaten?

A player beats their defender. Do I leave my player to defend as I am nearest to the ball, or should I stay and hold my position?

Archived User Coach

How to coach school team with novices and experienced players?

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

David Smith Coach, New Zealand

Break through a team that is playing half court press?

How can you train to break through a team that starts half court and your team starts with the ball? Four players in the defence start maybe playing the ball first to the left wing and this player hits the ball back to the free defence player who passes the ball to the right defence player who is over the 23 meter line... I like to understand the different tactical approaches. Can you share some ideas with me?

R.P. Witkamp Coach, Netherlands

Short Corner Defence

Preferred short corner defence running system? 3-1, 2-2. Premier League level - where drag flicks are involved.Goalie - logging or staying up?

Emily Wardeiner Coach, Australia

What is the best structure for school teams?

What would the best structure to teach High School learners? there are too many to choose from

bernice Coach, South Africa

Blockers and their roles in specific formations?

What are the roles of blockers? Can you use them in a 3-2-3-2 formation? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Derek Merifield Coach, South Africa

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

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

Coach, United Kingdom

6 a side without a goalie formation

Would you say switching it around to a 1-2-3 would make for better attacking formations?

Coach, United Kingdom

Drills/games for Seniors

Hi! Im Martina, I am 25 years old and I am in charge of a weekly training session for a Mens Seniors team. They are a mixed group, from 17-60 years old. Im finding it a bit hard to find a balance for all the players as there are young but also experienced ones. I want to make the trainings fun and dynamic, so any help with drills is appreciated!Thank you

Martina Scollo Coach, United Kingdom

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