Hockey Session (Foundation Phase): HWHC 25-2-24 U6 - U9 (IP: Carrying & OOP: Marking)

Holding & Turning the Stick

HOLDING AND TURNING THE STICK WITH THE LEFT HAND

• Stick placed flat on the ground with the handle close to the feet.
• Pick it up with the left hand near to the handle's end.
• Without changing the position of the left hand, rotate the stick with an anti-clockwise turn of the left, almost outstretched arm, until the point of the curve is directed towards the ground (into the reverse stick position).
• With a clockwise turn of the left arm, return the stick to its original position, with the point of the curve directed towards the sky (forehand position).

- When gripping the stick, make sure that the thumb can't be seen.

- If you can see the thumb of the left hand it means the stick isn't being gripped correctly.

• With the stick placed on the floor with the flat face down (handle close to the feet and the curve far away).
• Pick the stick up with both hands at the same time.
• The right hand is in the middle of the stick and grips it very loosely.
• With the legs slightly bent and the trunk as upright as possible (in the skiing position) the players move the stick with the left hand only from a forehand to a reverse stick position. The left hand turns the stick, not the right hand.

- Make sure that the flat face of the stick is in a vertical position after each turn because this will allow for good passing techniques.

- The right hand does not participate in the turning of the stick, the left hand does the work.

• Each player will have a ball in front of their opponent.
• Organise a competition to establish the players left to right movements of the ball in a stationary position.
• Players should count how many times they can touch the ball alternately with the forehand and the reverse stick (15-30 seconds of playing time).

- Place two cones between the two players who are facing each other. These cones mark the distance at which the players should move the ball. Player can freely practice moving the ball from cone to cone, before competing.

- Have one player be the 'leader' and the other player the 'follower'. The follower should try and mirror the ball movements of the leader.

- Mix up the distances of the ball movements - Eg. long left to right, short right to left, and short left to right, and vice versa.

- The ball should be positioned about 1m in front of the feet to allow for better vision and space to quickly move the ball away from defenders.

- Make sure that when the player touches the ball, that the flat side of the stick is in a vertical position.

- The right hand should not participate in the turning of the stick.

The Labyrinth

• Two players start simultaneously from opposite sides of the playing space.
• They have to dribble the ball through all 8 goals of the labyrinth.
• The winner is the player who gets back to their starting point first, with the ball under control.
• Both players face each other twice.

- To dribble the ball in the most optimum way (forehand or reverse stick).

- Dribble with the head up as much as possible to gather information.

- To change the direction of dribbling according to where the next goal is.

- To find the shortest route, that is, to anticipate their next action.

Marking

• Groups of three.
• One feeder, one marker, one receiver.
• Five passes and switch roles.

• Marker:
• Get in front of your player.
• Get close!
• Feet - Don't be square on to the ball, have your feet slightly diagonal so that you can see your player and the ball.
• Light on your feet for quick movement.