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Hockey Session (Transition Phase): HWHC U9 - U12 (24-10-21) Defending

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Pro-Club: Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club

Alexandra Smart

Profile Summary

Alexandra Smart
Name: Alexandra Smart
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Hockey
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Description

This session focuses on defending - and not just tackling!

The You Tube clip helps demonstrate the coaching points. Don't go beyond 2 mins 30 though as he goes into fouls - let's not go there!!

Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Cover and Delay

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Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Cover and Delay
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Cover and Delay

What is the principle of defending?

Stop the other team going forward.

 

SET UP

 

  • No stick or ball.
  • Set up a right and left hand side of the pitch.
  • Attackers (red shirts) are trying to reach the goal.
  • Defenders (blue shirts) are trying to prevent the attackers reaching the goal.
  • No physical contact is allowed! Players must stay within the pitch lines and cones.
  • Set a time limit for the attacker to reach the goal, eg. 10 seconds.
  • The next attacker in line can count down for the player ahead of them.
  • Rotate attackers / defenders and swap sides.
The purpose is for players to understand the importance of body and feet position when defending.

 

Refer to the ball to goal line (An imaginary line between the ball carrier and the goal they are aiming for. A defender should be on this imaginary line).

 

See Coaching Points on next slide - a lot of these can be applied without a stick or ball.

Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Progression

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Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Progression
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Progression

SET UP

 

  • Progress to adding stick and ball.
  • No tackling!
  • The purpose is for the defender to use their stick along with their body and feet to control the ball carrier and force an error.
  • Encourage defenders to think about their distance from the player with the ball. See coaching points below.

 

COACHING POINTS

 

  • Control the ball carrier - use your feet, pointing them in the direction you want the attacker to go.
  • Run with the ball carrier, not against them.
  • Protect the middle of the pitch, force the attacker wide.
  • Make sure you can reach the ball. Get within playing distance, but not so close that you over commit. A stick length plus one step away from the ball is a good guide: a stick and a step.
  • Get their head down, force a mistake. The best way to win the ball is to force the attacker to make a mistake.
  • Always use your forehand.
  • Get low, use the length of your stick.
What are we NOT looking for?Players diving into a tackle swinging their stick wildly, missing the ball or committing a foul. Defending is not just about tackling!!
Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tackling

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Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Tackling
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Tackling

Once players are demonstrating good body and feet positions, progress to tackling -

1. Jab tackle - disrupt play, force an error, don't over commit.

2. Flat stick tackle.

SET UP

  • Step away from the goal set up and work in channels, in pairs to really focus on the skill.
  • Use pitch sidelines to that players still are forcing the ball carrier wide and protecting the middle of the pitch.
  • Keep rotating attackers and defenders, and swap sides so they defend on both sides of the pitch.
Once players are demonstrating good tackling skills, move back into the main activity and introduce tackling.You can take away the time limit at this stage.The aim for the defender is to force an error, or win the ball.

Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending - Cover & Delay and Jump Back

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Hockey Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending - Cover & Delay and Jump Back
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Defending - Cover & Delay and Jump Back

SET UP

  • Two attackers (blue/white).
  • Three defenders (orange).
  • Defender at top D plays the ball to the attackers on one side of the pitch.
  • As soon as that ball is played, the two defenders behind the attackers come into play.
  • 2 v 3.
  • Attackers - score in the goal.
  • Defenders - win possession and pass the ball to the resting players on the other side.
  • Rotate play to start on either side.
  • The defender at top D plays two rounds and then rests, switching with the defender waiting behind the baseline.
  • Swap defending positions after several rounds. Then swap attackers and defenders.
COACHING POINTS:
  • Attacking focus - Make a quick break to take advantage of 2 v 1.
  • Defending focus - Cover and delay if you are faced with a 2 v 1.
  • Defending focus - Jump back to support your lone defender!

YouTube Video

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