Special :: Positional Practices

This week we feature some fantastic positional practices from the coachingHockey library. Improving individual skills of players is a must at all times. However, during the season it is rare that a team has the time to focus on individual postional skills during a scheduled team session. So practice these exercises with individuals or use time in the off season to work on your teams positional skills.

Training in the Off Season
The purpose of training during the off season is to spend time with players to improve their personal skills and work on things that players don't have enough time for during the season. The weather is not warm enough during the season for long player specific sessions, which often involve other players who are not the focus playing static roles. Summer sessions can be done with the minimum of 1 player and maximum of the whole squad (16).

It is great to train during the summer it allows you to do more skill based session without the pressure of having to keep moving to stay warm. There is no pressure of having to tactically train the team therefore this period is ideal to spend time with the individual players (positional skill training).

Receive with a lift.
Description
Used when a flat stick tackle is coming in close to receiver’s stick.
Ideal skill for centre forwards on the break with one man to beat, but a useful skill in any player arsenal.
Coaching Points:
Use the basic grip. Player must be very aware of his opposing player and the situation around them. Scan as you approach the ball.
Angle stick back so first touch lifts ball about six inches in the air
Receive slightly behind right foot
Move back quickly to outside right foot
Scan – Awareness of the defender is important to execute this skill safely and effectively.


Receive from the left fake inside receive out
Description:
Receive the ball from the left, fake inside, play on to the right.
Ideal skill from right back/half to bring the left winger inside leaving the right hand channel clear to attack but another useful skill in any player arsenal.

Coaching Points
Use the basic grip.
Scan - Move to ball, fake to receive by left foot
Push strongly off left foot
Let ball come outside right foot before controlling.
Player should then drive forward to get the other side of the player they have just deceived.
Practice:
Sweeper feeds (hard slap pass) to right half. Right half drives in field to receive pass, turns hard and allows ball to cross body before control and driving forward into channel created by run.

Click here to see interactive video.