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Planet Field Hockey

Hello everybody! Here is a new drill about running off the ball. This idea has been given by Nean whose kids have difficulty to understand or apply. So, thanks Nean and here we go with this drill.

If I understand 'running off the ball', it means that you expect players (and kids in particular) to give options, to be placed on the pitch so that they help their partners and so that they are not ALL running after the ball, therefore creating a group of people around the ball when just one player is actually needed...In a word it is hell!!!

Exercise 1

First and foremost I would start with a very easy exercise.


This has certainly been used in another drill but it is quite important. Why? Because to play in "triangles" is the basis of every game like Hockey, football and so on!

During this exercise you need 4 players, 3 "moving" from one cone to another, in every direction except across the square!!!
The one in the centre will be the defender (more of a donkey here although some people are so skilful that they get the ball every time it is passed...).

Take 3 yards by 3. One ball.
Ask the players to pass the ball to one or the other player, the one in the centre must stay in the centre at the beginning.
The aim is to make them "play" in triangles, to be placed so that they use that on the pitch as well.



Exercise two

Another "easy" one...Here the coach has to insist a lot on some points.  It is the practical application of exercise 1.
A 3X1 in a limited area.  The triangle must always be respected!
To play on one single line will not be allowed as it would (could) mean the loss of the ball.
This is the main point of the drill, the first aim to achieve.

Using triangles allows space to be created as the opponents will also move, it will allow players more movement. I don’t have to explain a 3X1 any longer, unless you ask for it. The only rule will be that the 3 attackers cannot go outside the limited area with the ball or when giving an option! It is also very important. If running off the ball surely means: not all the players at once around it, players have to learn to play in a very small area!
To start with, you can place the cones very far away from each other.

Exercise 3

This is a game. Not a simple one though.
The best way to achieve the aim of the whole drill will be to have 9 players a side. This will be played on a half-pitch.
Divide the pitch in squares (with cones on the side and back lines).
Players on lanes A or B can only move in their squares (for the beginning anyway)
Players in the centre can move everywhere inside their lines. Either 1 or 2!

I like this exercise, however it cannot be done often. At some point, players could believe they have one role on the pitch: to defend their own square! That would be a bad idea...
Some rules can be added to avoid this and if the first game is played as expected.
Players on B (for example) can change with A to help the one in the centre but you cannot have the two defenders (A and B!) in the same square at the same time. If one has moved to the other square, then, once he has received the ball, the other one has to change and go to the other square.

Why such an exercise?
With the triangle practised in one, the aim is to learn how to (as we say in French) to "call for the ball". To run towards it, to be placed so that an option is always available to the player with the ball.
Although the immediate drawback would be that players would stay in their square to never move during a game. The good thing is the respect shown towards the player with the ball. Everybody wants the ball, it is frustrating to play a game and never touch the ball. 
But you may learn that by being placed , or by simply marking your man, you directly contribute to the movement of the ball and, sometimes, to the victory of your team.
To respect your fellow partners is vital, it shows that you are confident in them, that they are confident in themselves and that, in turn, they can be confident in you.

Exercise 4

Play a normal game and ask to practice what has been tried during the training.
There is no such thing as players applying things they’ve learnt and that you (proudly) taught. (a real pleasure indeed)

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