When expanding your mini hockey concepts to mimic more game like situations I find it to be very effective to utilize 5 offensive players and 4 defenders.
As you will here many coaches reference keeping the "shape" of their teams, it is vital that teams play as a unit. This unit support and movement can and should be emphasized by a common shape. For the purpose of this game we will use the diamond.
Purpose
To develop game sense, visual awareness and the ability to transition from both the offense and defense.
Organization
Set up a mini hockey field 50 yards long and 40 yards wide.
Goals will be set at both ends along with designated circle areas.
Divide players into 2 teams.
1 team begins with 5 attack players while the other defending team with 4.
This game is directional with goalies.
Procedure
1.) Ball is inserted by coach into center of the field.
2.) The 5 attacking players immediately recognize that they have a numerical advantage and move the ball quickly.
3.) The attacking 5 create space in the shape of a diamond (Through, square on both sides, and back behind the ball).
4.) The attacking unit adjusts the diamond after losing and creating new space around the ball.
5.) The 4 defending as a unit must quickly realize that they are in a numerical inferior situation and can't play man to man.
6.) To cover as much space and slow the ball down the defensive unit will form a diamond ( 1 up, 2 out, and 1 back).
7.) It is important that the 2 defenders are not out to wide to allow for a split pass through the middle.
8.) The key here in the zonal coverage is the communication and rotation of the defenders( review with players how to effective pressure and rotate using the diamond).
9.) When the attacking team is dispossessed or they cough the ball up, the attacking team will lose 1 player (drop to 4) while the once defending team will gain 1 player. The advantage now switched on a change of possession.
10.) What constitutes a change of possession is when the ball has changed hands and 1 successful pass has been completed.
Rotation
The nature of this mini hockey game brings players in and out quite frequently.
If necessary rotate every 2-3 minutes.
Key Points
1.) The attacking unit needs to create depth and width. This will spread out the numbers down defense.
2.) Attack the endline hard forcing that deep defender to leave the middle and cover.
3.) Attackers must realize that there is a weak spot in the defense....the middle!
Use inside then outside passing combinations to beat this. Force them to leave their zonal areas and pressure you....once they step to the middle....pass to the space that they came from.
4.) Defensively, be patient and composed and hold your space.
5.) If you are beat with a foreword pass....drop to the center and behind the ball for support.
6.) Give direction to the ball through your alignment then pressure the ball hard when you get them into a pressing zone.
Variation
1.) Allow the numerically inferior team to add a recovery player after 15 seconds.
This would mean that both sides could play 5v5 for a brief time period before losing then gaining a player.
This ends the 10 game mini hockey series. Utilizing these games through the duration of your season and concluding the series with a mini hockey tournament will create a learning and competitive environment.
Very rarely do we ever play 11 v 11 unless alignment and positioning are a question. The more touches and time a player or team has with the ball.....the better they will become!
Have with it!
Jeff Harding
Central Bucks High School East
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