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Hockeyexercises

Last update: january 2026
drawing Pass and play two against one
Description
  • A passes the ball to B.
  • C moves towards the space on the sideline and accelerates in that direction.
  • C receives a strong pass from B.
  • C and D play a two against one against the red defender.
Objective
  • Improve coordination and teamwork in situations of numerical superiority.
Exercise
  • If the defender recovers the ball, attempt to score in the small goal on the side.
drawing Switching play from left to right
Execution
  • Player A passes the ball wide across the entire width to the right.
  • Player B receives the ball openly and plays it deep to Player C, who has run towards the line.
  • Player C immediately plays the ball wide back to Player B, who positions themselves there.
  • Player B passes the ball to Player D, who positions themselves from outside the circle.
  • Player D runs with the ball along the baseline back into the circle and plays the ball to the top where Player A is now positioned.
  • Player A shoots at the goal.
Rotation
  • B to A
  • A to C - white to blue
  • C to D - blue to orange
  • D to B - orange to red
  • B to A - red cone to white
drawing Finishing and timing in attack
Execution
  • Player 1 passes the ball to Player A.
  • Player A receives the ball and dribbles around the cones.
  • Player A finishes on goal.
  • After the shot, Player A positions themselves immediately for the second ball.
  • Almost simultaneously, Player 2 passes the ball to Player B.
  • Player B dribbles the ball around the circle and passes to Player A.
Points of Attention
  • Timing: Pay attention to when Player 2 starts.
  • After the shot, Player A must switch immediately and position themselves.
  • Player A must be passed to in stride/motion.
drawing Attack via the flanks
Execution
  • Player A starts with the ball and passes to Player B.
  • Player B receives the ball and passes to Player C.
  • Player C receives the ball and plays it wide to the advancing Player A.
  • Player A receives the ball, creating a 3 versus 2 situation against the defenders.
  • Defenders start in the circle and may step out as soon as Player C has received the ball.
  • Attackers attempt to score on the large goal.
  • Defenders score in the small goal at the sideline.
drawing 3 versus 3 communication and positioning game
Execution
  • We play a 3 versus 3 match with an emphasis on communication between attackers and defenders.
  • How do you position yourself and how do you get open for your teammates?
  • Players A, B, and C form a team. The first pass goes to player B, from where the 3 versus 3 begins.
Defence
  • The defenders apply pressure on the ball and try to prevent the attackers from playing through the centre of the field.
  • They ensure that the axis of the field is well defended.
  • If they win the ball, they score in the small goal on the side of the field.
drawing 5 versus 3 with switching
Execution
  • A switches the ball to B.
  • B switches the ball to C.
  • Once C has received the ball, the 5 versus 3 begins.
Tips for Attackers
  • Maintain speed.
  • Ensure the ball can always be returned.
  • Pass over the backhand side of the opponent.
  • Keep the field wide and long.
  • Communicate with each other.
  • Use in-out movements to receive the ball.
Tips for Defenders
  • Close the centre axis.
  • Block forward passing lines.
  • Communicate with each other.
  • Keep them outside the circle.
  • If they enter the circle, apply pressure on the ball.
  • If it is too difficult, allow a tackle back runner to participate.
drawing Improving dribbling and technique
Execution
  • The player starts with a ball. The trainer calls out a colour, for example, RED. The player dribbles through the two red gates.
  • After the gates, the player goes through the white gate.
  • The player strikes the ball with a push pass towards the goal.
Technique Course
  • The player starts with the ball and performs a slalom.
  • Dribbles further and executes a dummy move at the cones.
  • Dribbles around the cone.
  • Dribbles towards a small barrier on the ground and lifts the ball over it.
  • Dribbles further and goes around the cone.
  • Performs a drag flick trick at the cones.
  • Pushes the ball towards the goal afterwards.
drawing Offensive and defensive transition
Execution
  • The trainer throws the ball to the attacking team (red players) who attack against 2 defenders.
  • If the defenders intercept the ball, they attempt to pass it to their 2 teammates behind the line.
  • When successful, the roles reverse and the 4 players attack to score on the large goal.
  • The 3 defenders try to play the ball against the rebound board.
  • If the attackers score at the start, the trainer throws a new ball to the players behind the line and the game continues from there.
Objective
  • The defenders must close off the centre and block the passing lanes between the attackers.
  • The aim is not to take the ball directly but to guide the attackers until they make a mistake and the ball can be intercepted.
drawing Warm-up games for youngest youth
King of the Ball
  • Mark out an area or use a circle.
  • Give everyone a ball, except for one player.
  • The player without a ball tries to take the ball from someone else.
  • If the ball is taken or goes out of the field, that player helps with taking the balls.
Red Light, Green Light with Ball
  • Place all players on one line with a ball.
  • Have one player stand on the other side and call "Red Light, Green Light".
  • The players may walk, but the ball must remain still when the caller turns around.
  • If the ball is not still, the player goes back to the start.
Musical Chairs with Ball
  • Give all players a ball.
  • Let them dribble and drive through the area with the ball.
  • Call "Yes" and let them drive as quickly as possible to a hoop or cone.
  • Start with enough hoops/cones for everyone, then remove one each time.
Look and Execute
  • Place all players with a ball on one line.
  • Let them drive with the ball while you indicate the direction by pointing.
  • They must look ahead and not only at the ball.
Ball Control
  • Give each player a ball.
  • Let them drive within a marked area with the ball.
  • Call "Yes" and let them drive straight to the other side.
  • Ensure they keep watching each other to avoid collisions.
Drive and Score
  • Create two teams and give all players a ball.
  • Let them start at the back line outside the circle.
  • On your signal, they drive with the ball along the circle's edge.
  • At the cone, they may score in the goal.
drawing Transition from two-versus-one to three-versus-three
Objective
  • Improvement of fitness and transition.
Execution
  • Play out a two-versus-one situation through the centre with a shot on goal.
  • In case of a foul or goal, a three-versus-three follows at the side towards the centre line.
  • A guard pass is mandatory in this situation.
  • There are 10 seconds available to create a shot in the two-versus-one.
  • There are 10 seconds available for the three-versus-three.
  • With a guard pass in the three-versus-three, the new two-versus-one begins immediately.
drawing Vision and dribbling skills
Execution
  • Player A begins by weaving through the cones and does this at speed.
  • At the end, they are instructed whether to go left or right around the cones and accelerate with the ball on the stick.
  • Player A aligns the ball and strikes at the goal.
  • They turn around and receive a ball from Player B on the forehand.
  • They control the ball, align it again, and finish.
  • Immediately turn around and receive a ball from Player C, align, and finish.
  • The players rotate from A to C, from C to B, and from B to A.
drawing Quick transition in match form
Setup
  • 3 teams: blue, red, and white.
  • Each team has 3, 4, or 5 players.
  • The attacking team (A) has 1 extra player (e.g., 3:2, 4:3).
  • One player from the defending team (B) is positioned with the trainer.
  • The non-playing team (C) is positioned at the centre line.
Execution
  • If team A scores, they defend with one player less.
  • Team B positions itself at the centre line and goes on the attack.
  • The trainer introduces the ball into play.
  • Alternate left and right sides.
Rotation
  • Attack from the left: Blue attacks, white defends, red is ready on the right.
  • Attack from the right: Blue defends with one player less, red attacks, white is ready on the left.
  • Attack from the left: White attacks, red defends with one player less, blue is ready.
drawing Receiving and accelerating under pressure
Execution
  • The goalkeeper stands in his position.
  • Place two gates made of cones on the 23-metre line, to the left and right of the goalposts.
  • Player in red starts at the top of the circle and accelerates with the ball through the gates.
  • After passing through the gates, red plays the ball to player in blue.
  • Red sprints around a cone to put pressure on blue or to take the ball away.
  • Blue receives the ball, accelerates, and runs through the gates.
  • Once blue is through the gates, red may no longer take the ball away and returns to the cone.
  • Blue accelerates to the top of the circle and finishes on goal.
drawing Passing and receiving with open body position
Execution
  • A gives the ball with a push pass to the forehand of B.
  • B receives the ball with an open body position and plays a drive pass to C.
  • C receives the ball with an open body position and plays a drive pass to D.
  • D receives the ball with an open body position, makes eye contact with E.
  • E runs towards the ball, receives it on the move, and turns right with the ball on the stick.
  • E makes eye contact with F.
  • F runs towards the ball and receives a hard push pass to the forehand from E.
  • F receives the ball on the move, turns left, and dribbles with the ball on the stick into the circle.
  • F lines up the ball and strikes at goal.
  • G can be added later for a tip-in from F if the execution goes well.
drawing Looking ahead and scoring
Team Composition
  • Create 3 equal teams.
  • Team 1: Defenders inside the circle.
  • Team 2: Attackers inside the circle.
  • Team 3: Players outside the circle as the "bowl".
Execution
  • The "bowl" quickly passes the ball around and looks for an opportunity to pass to the attackers inside the circle.
  • To receive the ball, the "bowl" must look ahead and know where the attackers are or will move.
  • After an attacker receives the ball, they pass it back to the "bowl" and may enter the circle to score.
  • The other players in the "bowl" do not participate in the attack but can regain the ball, after which the play starts over.
Defence
  • One defender is allowed to leave the circle to put pressure on the "bowl".
  • The remaining defenders stay inside the circle.
  • The attackers are not allowed to leave the circle.
  • If the defenders gain possession of the ball, they may score in one of the two goals on the side.
drawing Offering in depth
Instructions
  • A starts with the ball and gives a push pass to B.
  • B receives the ball and sees that C is running into depth.
  • B gives a push pass to C.
  • C receives the ball and shoots at goal with a slap shot.
2 versus 1 with Depth Pass
  • A starts with the ball and dribbles around the cone.
  • From that moment, the defender may try to take the ball away from A.
  • A and B want to score together in the goal.
  • Try to have them run and give a depth pass.
  • Let them try a few times first, then explain what you as a trainer want to see.
drawing Quick one-twos and finishing
Description
  • Player A passes the ball to Player B.
  • Player A runs deep to the first cone (running path).
  • Player B passes back to Player A and moves quickly towards the circle (short quick action).
  • Player A returns the ball to Player B.
  • Player B receives the ball on the forehand and turns away over the backhand of the opponent (cones).
  • Player C sprints towards the top of the circle (timing).
  • Player B passes to Player C, possibly with a backhand sweep pass.
  • Player C receives the ball, brings it into the circle, and finishes.
Execution
  • Perform two actions, keep the ball under control, and finish.
drawing Precision passing and finishing on the move
Execution
  • Player A maneuvers through the cones.
  • Player A delivers a firm and accurate pass to Player B.
  • Player A moves away from Player B.
  • Player B passes back to Player A, who receives the ball on the move.
  • Player A takes the ball into the circle and finishes.
Key Points
  • Ensure quick, firm, and accurate passes.
  • Receive the ball while moving.
  • Maintain speed throughout the exercise.
  • Optional: Add a defender in the circle for additional challenge.
drawing Attack via the flank with moving players
Execution
  • Depending on the level, the playing field can be set up larger or smaller. It can also be executed in mirror image, possibly with finishing on the backhand.
  • The ball starts with the red player. The white player runs back to offer themselves and receives the ball.
  • Upon receiving, the white player accelerates with the ball to the side where the blue player has positioned themselves.
  • The red player forms the tip of the triangle backwards and receives the ball.
  • The blue player runs deep away and the white player moves to the top of the circle.
  • The blue player receives the ball and passes it to the player at the top of the circle who scores.
Key Points
  • Accelerate upon receiving.
  • After a passing action, follow with a running action.
  • Maintain a high ball tempo.
  • Observe what happens and anticipate.
  • Seek eye contact.
  • Optionally expand to situations such as 3 versus 1, 2 versus 1, or 3 versus 2.
drawing Shifting and attacking over the backline
Execution
  • Player 1 starts with the ball and moves towards the backline. There, he turns tightly and passes the ball on the move to player 2.
  • Player 2 moves towards the 23-meter line, turns to the right, and pushes the ball to player 3.
  • Player 3 attempts to move to the top of the circle, but retrieves the ball at the ion and passes to player 4.
  • Player 4 runs towards the backline and passes the ball to the top of the circle.
  • Player 3 continues after the pass and positions himself between the top of the circle and the center spot. From here, player 3 chooses between finishing or playing for the deflection.
  • Player 1 is ready for the tip-in.
Note
  • Turning direction is in chronological order.
drawing Dynamic overtime
  • Part 1:
    • The player with the ball passes it to the player closest to the center line.
    • This one takes the ball in motion to the outside.
    • Makes a 1-2 with his teammate on the outside.
    • Then runs into the depth.
    • Gets the ball after the sticklead.
    • Finishes on goal.
  • Part 2:
    • After the player in coverage gets the ball the 2-on-1 starts.
  • Part 3:
    • A pair, attacker and defender, also starts in the circle.
drawing 1 vs. 1 switching & reaction in game form
  • On the sides of the courts are balls.
  • Each goalt in the corner of the field has its own color.
  • In each field stand 2 players.
Exercise
  • The players start in the middle of the field.
  • When the trainer calls a color, the players must grab a ball from the side of the field as quickly as possible.
  • The player who grabs the ball first must score in the color goal called by the trainer. The other player then goes to defend.
  • If the attacking player scores in the said color goal, the players start again and the trainer calls another color and so the exercise repeats itself.
drawing Game format: redeem by a panna.
  • Except for one player -red-, all players -blue- have one ball.
  • The red defender tries to work all balls out of the box.
  • If a blue player loses his/her ball and it has been played out of the box, she/he stands with her/his legs apart.
  • The player can be redeemed by another blue player; This one plays the ball through the legs -panna- and blue has a player back in the box.
  • Continue until all players are off.
Points of attention:
  • If it takes too long or you notice in advance that one defender is too little, appoint an extra defender.
drawing Tiktak
  • Set out the exercises two or three times depending on the number of players.
  • Make pairs and place the pawns closer and closer together.
  • Players red and blue stand close together and tap the ball up and down between the pawns.
  • You start with a 2-touch so assume -> pass, maximum 2 touches.
  • If the ball hits a pawn, a pawn is skipped or a player touches the ball more than 2 times, you are out.
  • If you are finished, start the exercise again.
  • If you have made it to the end of the pawn row a number of times, try everything in 1-touch -no more than 1 touch, that is.
  • Is this also successful, you can keep track of time -> Improve your record each time.
drawing Pass exercise
Goal :
  • To take on and pass at speed in movement.
Execution:
  • A pushes to B,
  • A runs along the 23 meter line and gets the ball back from B.
  • A takes on the run and passes immediately to C who comes up the sideline and passes immediately to D on the back line.
    • If there are only 3, C runs to the back line.
  • D takes on the ball and dribbles into the circle.
  • D passes to head of circle (A)
  • A gives a hard pass to B for tip in.

Variations 1. start on the other touchline so that the whole width of the field is covered. 2. do the same exercise the other way 3 A shot on goal and gets another rebound ball from B

drawing Transfer
Goal :
  • Transfer , quick assumptions and passing
Execution :
  • A does Indian dribble at the pawns
  • Pass to B.
  • B takes open and passes immediately to C who comes up along the sideline.
  • C runs on to the back line and runs via the back line in the direction of the goal.
  • C passes back to A at the head of the circle.
  • A scores.

Points of attention:
  • Clean passing
  • Quick passing and
  • Correct passing in the run

Variations :
  1. From the other side
  2. Instead of dribble 3 D, introduce aerial dribble or passing moves (drag, dummy).
  3. B takes closed take instead of open take.
  4. C can come up unhanded along the back line,
  5. C, after taking the ball, passes straight to the far-post area where A goes.
  6. Bring in the rebound
  7. From B to C a high ball.

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