Hockey Session (Senior): High transfer for a guaranteed circle penetration

Guaranteed circle entry

Essence:

- To transfer the ball between the full backs with the aim of getting a pass that is guaranteed to get a circle entry.

Structure:

- Have the full backs stand around 10 yards in from the half way line, in line roughly with the edges of the circle or closer in line with the injection mark.

- Have the half backs set up as close to the circle as possible so if they get the ball they don't have to move to get into the circle. However, if that pass isn't possible then they can come wider to receive the ball.

- Have the three forwards standing in a triangular shape in-front of the goal.

- The midfielders should be dotted around the top of the circle so they can post up and deflect a ball into the circle. Moreover, we have one central midfielder who posts up in the centre for the same or to just receive and pass it back to create space.

Technical Pointers:

- Make sure to instil the point of patience into the full backs when transferring the ball, we don't want to force the ball into the circle and create a turnover/counter opportunity for the opposition.

- If there isn't a ball on to the midfielders for a deflection then a pass out wide to the halfback is preferable, but tell the halfbacks they can come wide to receive but if the ball can be given while they are closer to the circle then that would be preferred. 

- When the midfield post up, make sure its a hard lead and they are in a low body position so they can deflect the ball into the circle. This would be a guaranteed circle entry, leading to an outcome, of either a penalty corner or a goal.

- Get the forwards in a triangular shape to constantly move in and around the circle to create space, but emphasis staying low and mobile as to be ready for the ball and a possible rebound from the keeper.

.- Make sure that you get the full backs to re-posistion themselves after every pass incase they put a man in-between the full backs to split them.

When can you use this in a game?:

- This can be used when you get a long corner and push the full backs up and get them to play the high transfer.

- When you get a free hit in their half.

How do this benefit the team?:

- It guarantees a circle entry if done properly with patience.

- The opposition wil start to get tired from the amount of running they need to do to keep up with the running. Furthermore, it helps to give the team a bit of break by just transferring it (helps calm the players down and keeps retention of the ball)

How to counter it if the opposition plays high transfer:

- Try to get a forward to split the defence. This will put pressure and the full backs and if they can't patiently play it, they will most likely force the ball and you get possession back.

- Make sure to front mark and stay tight to your man in a low body position.

- Make sure you have a player marking the halfback, if the full backs are split their only pass is really the halfbacks, if that player is marked they will force the ball.