Field Hockey: plans

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

hi there I'm using 4-4-2 and on sometimes 3-1-4-2 with a lower level hockey team.I've chosen this over other formations, simply because the hockey experience and ability of my players is not of a high level (and most people have an approximate understanding of 442). Also, I believe that one must choose a formation based on players traits and what they can deliver. For example, I'd ideally prefer to have 3 forwards, to help with more height and width but then would have to either play 3 in the middle or 3 at the back... and my player strengths don't permit this. In short, I simply don't believe I have a strong enough CH / CM to handle 3 in the middle and I'm not convinced that the off-the-ball support from other players is strong enough to allow 3 in the middle. OFFENSIVE PLAYS Anyway, I'm not 100% where to get my centre mids to stand when we have a 16 yd hit to take (i.e. our possession). Obviously one of the CMs comes deep to offer a potential direct outlet from the centre backs or offer an overload option if the ball goes out to the sides (which is more likely, since I've pretty much banned the high risk play of releasing up the middle - we've had far too many turnovers in our final third or quarter because we tried to play up the middle). My players are 'aware' of posting up and leading runs. However, I'm not sure about the 2nd CM. On the one hand I'd ideally like the 2nd CM to come deep as well, in order to potentially help break up the opposition press but by doing so, I distort the midfield and if we do manage to get the ball to one of the CMs, he won't have the 2nd CM in a higher position to release to, etc. DEFENSIVE POSITIONING Can someone suggest, again, about midfield positioning using 4-4-2 or 3-1-4-2, when we are setting up a general press? I have traditionally encouraged man marking, simply because our general positional awareness is weak (which makes zonal play a no-no IMO) + our tracking and attitude to committed defending (i.e. you don’t give up if one tackle fails) could be better! However, looking at suggested presses on Sportplan, some zonal positioning seems a necessity and I think if I can help my players make the step, success will come because they've been forced to become more aware of their pitch positioning, etc. Also, looking at some of the presses, it looks like the midfield can go 'flat' to create a barrier... and as I encourage a diamond shape in midfield, I need to explain to my players what to do and when. Sorry for the wordy question. I hope this all makes sense. Regards, Gary

What fun warm ups can I use with a group of 7-11 year olds with and without hockey sticks? Many thanks xx

as a new coach am looking for a plan of 10 sessions to coach a new team giving progression of skills and some game awareness…is there such a scheme?

Which of the sportplan INDOOR plans are now appropriate to the 5v5 format OR do you have any to share?

How do I make my session plans private? or do they stay private unless i share them?

I create my session plans on a desktop. For some reason, when I log into Sportplan on my tablet, it doesn't appear to update so my plans are not visible there so I cannot deliver the sessions "interactively" and have to rely on printing the session out and delivering it via paper form. Can you advise why it doesn't appear to be updating?

I have 3 plans free, where can I see? I try to see any plan and I can´t see without pay it.

I am trying to find Coaching Basics 10 Progressive plans in session packs on the app - can anyone help

Hi, I have paid for a 3 month deal but can't view plans as it says l have to upgrade, l was upgraded to advanced so not sure why l can't access plans, please advise.

I have a premium membership. I show plans locked which I thought the premium membership would give me access to.Also, plans that I created 6 months to a year ago do not open for me to edit.

I am looking to add an assistant coach to my team. Will they be able to assist with creating coaching plans with this access, or do they have to have their own membership? We are trying to keep all of our videos and practice plans in a centralized profile, so it would be helpful if they coudl create from my profile as a team member.

How can I access session plans as only some are avaiable to view

Hi there,Does this app work on tablet devices, and can you create drills and sessions plans on said devices please?As I cannot do this on my iPhone.Thanks

Hello,If I cancel my memebership will I still have access to the drills etc I have saved?Thank-you,Lee .

Dear coaches can anyone provide me one-year complete training plan in the Macro cycle for under-21 Boys and Girls,

looking for the Coaching Basics 10 Progressive Plans all previous links send me to an expired page. Just starting to coach 5_8 year olds mostly beginners and looking for some good plans etc Stephen

Hi I have premium subscription but cant open the plans😡 It keeps saying I must subscribe

drills toteach a beginner on push pass

I have just returned from coaching my first high school hockey tournament. It was great fun but the girls really felt it by the end of the tournament. I want to offer guidance in the form of a fitness build up to the girls for next season but am not sure what my expectations should be. How fit should you be looking to get if you are preparing to play 7 50min games over 5 days? And what types of fitness should I be suggesting? Sprinting and Intervals along with Swimming are things I feel that could be introduced. Ideally it needs to be accessable (not expensive or require special equipment), self managed (to an extent) and let it fit in with their daily rountine as best possible to give them the best chance to commit (i.e. I feel like suggesting they power walk to school rather than get dropped off will work better than asking them to join a gym to do the pelaton classes) Any ideas? Or things that have worked in the past?