Hockey Session (Foundation Phase): More Ways Than One

Drill

Objective: For attack — to cross the opposite line by utilizing give-and-gos with the sideline passing options. For defense — to dispossess attacker and cross the opposite line with the ball.

Set Up:

• Create a dribbling grid 15-25 yards long and 10-15 yards wide with two passing lanes outside of the grid
• Place two ball piles at either end of the grid
• Split team into two lines on either end of the grid with two passers (P) in the passing lanes

• Player A starts with the ball, passes to Player B who is 5 yards away
• Player B passes back to Player A to start the 1v1
• Player A and Player B play a 1v1 within the grid, Player A can utilize either passer (P) to create a give-and-go
• Player A works to cross the opposite line with the ball, under control
• Passers cannot enter the grid and cannot dribble the ball
• As soon as Player A successfully crosses the line, Player C starts the next ball with Player D playing defense
• If Player B comes up with the ball, they automatically become the attacker and work to cross the opposite line, they may also use the passers in give-and-gos, once Player B successfully crosses the line, Player D starts the next ball with Player C playing defense

• For defenders — approaching the ball in the line of one pass, marking the attacker to intercept the go pass (of the give-and-go)
• For attackers — playing fast and creating space to receive the go pass, attacking on angles, reading the stick of the defender
• For passers — positioning themselves to be available for a pass, giving the ball quickly after reception

• If you have a large team, create several grids so that everyone gets a lot of repetitions
• For beginners, make it directional (players only attack from Player A's side) rather than continuous to focus on 1v1 skills and give-and-go opportunities