Hockey Session (Foundation Phase): HWHC U6-U9 11-4-21 (Moving with the ball) v2

Stick Drags

SET UP

• Each player sets out two cones, a stick length apart.
• Each player has a ball.
• Stick length drags side to side.
• 4 x 1 min rounds.
• Progress to working in pairs. One player puts their stick on the ground in place of the cones. Their partner stick drags along the length of their stick - without hitting it! This helps players keep control of the ball and understand where their feet should be in relation to the ball.
• The player not working should look out for the coaching points and critique their partner.

• Left hand in wristwatch position.
• Double V down front of the stick.
• Left hand turns the stick.
• Loose right hand.
• Butt of the stick facing player's belly button.
• Ball at 1 o'clock position.
• Knees bent.
• Head up.
• Transfer weight from right to left (forehand to reverse).

Grandmother's Footsteps

SET UP

• Indicate a start and finish line, approx 20 metres apart.
• Every player has a ball.
• They must dribble the ball towards 'Grandmother' who has their back turned.
• When Grandmother turns around, all players must freeze.
• If their ball is moving away from them (ie. they are not in control of their ball), they start back at the beginning.

Rob the Nest

SET UP

• Setup four teams, each with a square of cones.
• Put a 'nest' in the middle with as many balls as you can.
• Each team should have 2-3 players. Run more than one game if you have a large group.
• Only one player from each team can go at a time.
• They must run into the middle, retrieve one ball and dribble it back to their team. Then the next player can go.
• Remember – one player, one ball!
• They must dribble all the way back and not just hit it back to their team.
• The game is over when all of the balls have gone from the middle.
• The winning team is the team with the most balls.
• For the second round of the game, teams must return all of their balls to the middle, one ball at a time, one player at a time. This gives the losing team from the first round a chance to win, as they have fewer balls to return.

Progression

• Still with just one player from each team at a time going, they can now take a ball from the middle or from another team’s corner.
• Teams cannot defend their balls. If another team comes to take a ball, they must let them.
• Run the game for 2 mins. The winning team is the team with the most balls.
• Make sure you clearly explain the rules!
• Ie, one player from each team at a time, dribbling all the way back to your team, not defending your own balls.
• Rules of hockey also apply – you can’t stand on the ball or pick it up to protect it!