Field hockey drills that make practice time fun

Practice time for field hockey should be fun just like the game itself. As the coach of a team, it is your responsibility to choose the exercises and routines for your players. You can’t just let players do the same hockey drills every time they practice. Choose from the many available exercises and implement and mix them into your practice routine. That would make everyone enjoy the practice session.

Listed below are three of the most fun and exciting field hockey drills that you can allow your team to perform.

1. Diamond drill – this drill will improve defensive and passing skills

Let four players form a diamond on the field and two other players stand in the middle. The two opposing players in a diamond shape along with one of the players in the middle will be on the same team.

Start the drill by giving a ball to one of the players who form the diamond shape. The player will then attempt to pass the ball to their teammate in the opposite diamond formation. The team will get a point if the ball reaches the other teammate on the other side of the diamond. The team does not get a point if the ball reaches the other teammate in the middle.

When the ball is intercepted in the middle by the member of the other team, the ball is given to the other member of the team forming the diamond and their team will try to get a score by throwing the ball to their teammate.

The first team to be able to score five points wins.

2. Off the ball – The goal of this drill is to develop the player’s ability to act during counter-attacks.

A square shape is created on the field using four cones that are placed ten meters apart at each corner of the square. Five players and one ball are then placed in the center of the square.

The coach will then give a signal for all four players to run to different cones. The player left in the square will pass the ball to one of the four players who are now positioned in the corners. The drill is repeated until the center player has passed the ball to each corner player.

3. Long distance scoring – this drill will help develop a player’s ability to score from long range.

In this drill, one goaltender will stay inside the goals while an offensive player will stand twenty-five feet away from the goals. The offensive player will then attempt to throw the ball into the goals. The targets then move further as the players’ accuracy improves. Goals move further until no one can score a goal.

After a few practice sessions with these drills, allow the players to do another set of drills. There are many online sources for hockey training videos. Just find a website you can trust and find out what it can offer you to improve your coaching knowledge. As you introduce different drills, you will also see the players’ skills improve.