Hockey Session (Under 12s): BHHC 13-5-21 (Transferring the ball and understanding channels) v2

Skill Focus - Slap Hit

• Q&A
• When do we want to transfer the ball? (Opposition, congestion)
• Why do we want to transfer the ball? (Maintain possession, transfer to then move forward)
• Where are we transferring the ball from/to? (Talk about channels on the pitch)
• What is the most successful type of pass used to transfer the ball? (Slap hit) - Why? (Accurate and fast).

• Skill focus - slap hit.
• Start in pairs, static slap hits.

• COACHING POINTS
• Hands together, right meets left at the top of the stick.
• Stick starts on the ground and finishes on the ground.
• Stand side on to your partner.
• Ball is a 'stick and a step' away from your right foot.
• Bend your knees and get low.

Passing Grid

SET UP

The purpose of this game is to encourage players to think about channels and depth on the pitch, the importance of space, and to stop them crowding together.

• Split your playing area into a grid, using pitch lines and cones.
• Two teams, ideally 4-6 per team.
• One player from each team is inside each box. They must stay in their box.
• Each team has a ball, starting at opposite sides of the box.
• Going in the same direction (eg. clockwise), each team must pass their ball to every player on their team, working through each box.
• When the ball is back with the starting player, they have finished.

• This practice is unopposed to get players used to moving the ball around the pitch to each other. Each team is focused on their team and their ball only.
• As your group get to grips with the game, you can progress to add defenders who can intercept the ball (intercept rather than tackle). Start with one or two defenders who can go anywhere, keep at attacking overload.