Race for Hockey semifinal berths heats up
The battle for semifinal spots intensifies as the third round of matches in the Men's Hockey preliminaries get underway at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Friday. Australia, gold medalists at Athens 2004, are the team to watch and beat as they take on Pakistan, while the Netherlands meet Canada. A victory for Australia and the Netherlands should almost guarantee them semifinal spots from pool B. The situation is fluid in pool A, where four teams -- Spain (6 points), world champions Germany (4), the Republic of Korea (3) and New Zealand (3) -- are in the hunt; none can afford to drop any more points.
In pool A, the first match of the day will kick off between Spain and China.
Spain, unbeaten in two matches and at the top of their pool, will be looking to regain their scoring touch. A win against China would all but confirm a semifinal spot for the Spaniards, who have yet to fire on all cylinders. China, with two defeats, can at best hope to salvage a draw if they can sustain their early tempo through 70 minutes.
New Zealand will compete with Belgium. New stay in the reckoning by defeating Belgium, a task easier said than done. Belgium is on a hot run after forcing a 1-1 draw with world champions Germany for their first point in two matches.
The Kiwis were unlucky to lose to Spain in their second game, but their performance underlined the team's potential to progress in the competition.
The last match of pool A will be between the Republic of Korea and Germany. The match has all the trappings of an intriguing contest, with the ROK team hoping to gatecrash the semifinal party like they did at the 2006 World Cup.
World champions Germany will need to be at their best against the ROK, who showed signs of regaining their form during their 5-2 rout of China. Germany's better composure and organization, besides experience, could tilt the balance in their favor.
In pool B, the Netherlands will face off against Canada. Any result other than a victory for the Netherlands would be a huge surprise, as the Dutch have not lost to the Canadians in five meetings so far. The Dutch will be eager to get back among goals after their narrow 1-0 win against Great Britain. Canada, the Pan-American champions, will look to redeem themselves after losing both their matches so far.
Pakistan will play with Australia, which is the hottest team in the competition. They are on a roll and their form suggests a third win for the defending champions. Another win should nicely set up defending champions Australia's final push for a semifinal berth.
Pakistan, for all the immense individual talent, are still to spark, but showed ominous signs during their 3-1 win over Canada. Pakistan's major concern is their rather fragile defense that will be under pressure from the rampant Aussie forwards.
South Africa will play with Great Britain to conclude the day's competitions. Great Britain displayed top form to keep pace with the Netherlands before losing 1-0, and they will be looking to carry the form against South Africa. A victory against the South Africans would keep Britain's semifinal hopes alive.
South Africa, with two defeats, will be eager to earn their first point by tripping Britain.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 3 Review
Germany slides to third
While defending Olympic champions Australia moved to within a whisker of qualifying for the semifinals, world champions Germany dropped more precious points from their 3-3 draw with the Republic of Korea (ROK) after the third round of preliminary matches in the Men's Hockey competition at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Friday, August 15.
Germany are precariously perched on five points in third position behind Spain (nine points) and New Zealand (six), but one ahead of the Republic of Korea (four).
Germany led twice in the match after recovering from an early reverse on goals by Philip Witte, Mathias Witthaus and Christopher Zeller. The ROK's hopes were kept alive by Yeo Woon-kon, Jang Jong-hyun and Seo Jong-ho. The draw saw Germany slide to third spot in the pool behind Spain and New Zealand while the Koreans are in fourth spot after three rounds.
Spain had to work overtime for their third win as China put up a solid fight. Their third victory in a row put Spain within sight of a semifinal berth. New Zealand kept themselves in the hunt with a timely 4-2 win over Belgium thanks in the main to goals from Simon Child in the 19th and 20th minutes, followed by a third from Gareth Brooks of New Zealand in the 30th.
The Netherlands, silver medalists at the 2004 Athens Games, moved a step closer to the semifinals with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Canada. Dutch penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema took his tournament tally to six goals. He converted two penalty corners and a penalty stroke while Roderick Weusthof added the fourth.
Australia won a stormy 3-1 match against Pakistan, three of whose players -- Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Saqlain and Waqas Akbar -- received yellow card suspensions. Pakistan wasted a solid start after Shakeel Abassi struck in the 17th minute.
Great Britain were unconvincing but were happy to take their second set of full points from the 2-0 win against South Africa. A couple of clever goals by James Tindall and Matt Daly pulled Britain through a difficult game, leaving the South Africans to rue the scoring chances they missed. Britain are third in the pool behind Australia and the Netherlands while South Africa, without a point, languish at the bottom with Canada.
While defending Olympic champions Australia moved to within a whisker of qualifying for the semifinals, world champions Germany dropped more precious points from their 3-3 draw with the Republic of Korea (ROK) after the third round of preliminary matches in the Men's Hockey competition at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Friday, August 15.
Germany are precariously perched on five points in third position behind Spain (nine points) and New Zealand (six), but one ahead of the Republic of Korea (four).
Germany led twice in the match after recovering from an early reverse on goals by Philip Witte, Mathias Witthaus and Christopher Zeller. The ROK's hopes were kept alive by Yeo Woon-kon, Jang Jong-hyun and Seo Jong-ho. The draw saw Germany slide to third spot in the pool behind Spain and New Zealand while the Koreans are in fourth spot after three rounds.
Spain had to work overtime for their third win as China put up a solid fight. Their third victory in a row put Spain within sight of a semifinal berth. New Zealand kept themselves in the hunt with a timely 4-2 win over Belgium thanks in the main to goals from Simon Child in the 19th and 20th minutes, followed by a third from Gareth Brooks of New Zealand in the 30th.
The Netherlands, silver medalists at the 2004 Athens Games, moved a step closer to the semifinals with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Canada. Dutch penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema took his tournament tally to six goals. He converted two penalty corners and a penalty stroke while Roderick Weusthof added the fourth.
Australia won a stormy 3-1 match against Pakistan, three of whose players -- Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Saqlain and Waqas Akbar -- received yellow card suspensions. Pakistan wasted a solid start after Shakeel Abassi struck in the 17th minute.
Great Britain were unconvincing but were happy to take their second set of full points from the 2-0 win against South Africa. A couple of clever goals by James Tindall and Matt Daly pulled Britain through a difficult game, leaving the South Africans to rue the scoring chances they missed. Britain are third in the pool behind Australia and the Netherlands while South Africa, without a point, languish at the bottom with Canada.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 2 Review
Australia, Spain top their pools
While Olympic champions Australia cruised to their second victory in great style with a 10-0 win against South Africa, their main challengers – Spain, Germany and the Netherlands -- struggled on day two of the Men's Hockey competition at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, August 13.
The Dutch were lucky to come through 1-0 against Great Britain, as were Spain who overcame New Zealand 1-0, while world champions Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by Belgium.
After two rounds, Spain tops pool A with six points while Australia leads pool B with six points, ahead of the Dutch on goal difference.
The first match of the day turned out to be a mismatch as defending champions Australia pumped in 10 goals past South Africa. The Aussies reveled in the conditions as Eli Matheson (three goals), Jamie Dwyer (two goals), David Guest (two goals), Grant Schubert, Fergus Kavanagh and Des Abbot scored at regular intervals.
It was heartbreak for New Zealand who lost the game in the final seconds after having kept pace with Spain throughout. Spain were grateful for the strike from Santiago Freixa as it fetched them three more points to take them to the top of pool A standings.
A foul in 63rd minute cost Great Britain the last match of the day as it led to a penalty corner that Taeke Taekema of the Netherlands converted for the only goal of the match. Goalkeepers Guus Vogels of the Netherlands and Alistair McGregor of Great Britain lent the contest a touch of class with fine saves that kept the scoreboard blank until the 63rd minute. The Dutch will be happy with the three points which left them on level with Australia at the top of pool B.
The Asian Games champions from the Republic of Korea (ROK) extended their unbeaten record against China with a fairytale come-from-behind victory to pick up their first points. China squandered a 2-0 lead that Na Yubo and Song Yi provided with goals in the sixth and eighth minutes to suffer their second defeat. Jang Jong-hyun was the hero for the ROK with three penalty corner conversions sandwiched between strikes from Seo Jong-ho and Kang Seong-jung. The highly-physical contest saw three yellow card suspensions, two of them to Korea who at one stage were down to nine players.
Pakistan came together as a team to record their first win in the competition with a convincing 3-1 win over Canada. Belgium continued to haunt world champions Germany, who lost their previous meeting 3-4 in the 2007 European championship. The teams played to a 1-1 draw.
While Olympic champions Australia cruised to their second victory in great style with a 10-0 win against South Africa, their main challengers – Spain, Germany and the Netherlands -- struggled on day two of the Men's Hockey competition at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, August 13.
The Dutch were lucky to come through 1-0 against Great Britain, as were Spain who overcame New Zealand 1-0, while world champions Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by Belgium.
After two rounds, Spain tops pool A with six points while Australia leads pool B with six points, ahead of the Dutch on goal difference.
The first match of the day turned out to be a mismatch as defending champions Australia pumped in 10 goals past South Africa. The Aussies reveled in the conditions as Eli Matheson (three goals), Jamie Dwyer (two goals), David Guest (two goals), Grant Schubert, Fergus Kavanagh and Des Abbot scored at regular intervals.
It was heartbreak for New Zealand who lost the game in the final seconds after having kept pace with Spain throughout. Spain were grateful for the strike from Santiago Freixa as it fetched them three more points to take them to the top of pool A standings.
A foul in 63rd minute cost Great Britain the last match of the day as it led to a penalty corner that Taeke Taekema of the Netherlands converted for the only goal of the match. Goalkeepers Guus Vogels of the Netherlands and Alistair McGregor of Great Britain lent the contest a touch of class with fine saves that kept the scoreboard blank until the 63rd minute. The Dutch will be happy with the three points which left them on level with Australia at the top of pool B.
The Asian Games champions from the Republic of Korea (ROK) extended their unbeaten record against China with a fairytale come-from-behind victory to pick up their first points. China squandered a 2-0 lead that Na Yubo and Song Yi provided with goals in the sixth and eighth minutes to suffer their second defeat. Jang Jong-hyun was the hero for the ROK with three penalty corner conversions sandwiched between strikes from Seo Jong-ho and Kang Seong-jung. The highly-physical contest saw three yellow card suspensions, two of them to Korea who at one stage were down to nine players.
Pakistan came together as a team to record their first win in the competition with a convincing 3-1 win over Canada. Belgium continued to haunt world champions Germany, who lost their previous meeting 3-4 in the 2007 European championship. The teams played to a 1-1 draw.
Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 2 Preview
South Africa faces defending Olympic champion
South Africa in pool B will face defending Olympic champion Australia, while World No. 2 Germany will compete with Belgium in pool A as the Men's Hockey tournament continues with day two at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, August 13.
The first match of the day sees Australia and South Africa face off in pool B. Australia, nine-time winners of the Hockey Champions Trophy and bronze medalists in the Sydney and Atlanta Olympics, defeated Canada 6-1 in their first match, while South Africa lost 0-5 to the Netherlands on the first day.
World No. 3 the Netherlands will meet Great Britain. The Netherlands won silver in the Athens Olympics and finished first in Sydney. Great Britain, the 1988 Olympic gold medalists, beat Pakistan 4-2 on day one. It was Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympics since the 1952 Games.
Canada will play Pakistan.
In pool A, World No. 2 Germany will face Belgium. The third-place finisher in Athens, Germany won the Hockey Champions Trophy in 2007 but finished in fifth place this year. They beat China 4-1, while Belgium lost 2-4 to Spain on day one.
China, making their Olympic debut as the host country, will compete with the Republic of Korea, which was defeated by New Zealand 1-3.
Winners on the first day New Zealand and Spain will compete for more points.
South Africa in pool B will face defending Olympic champion Australia, while World No. 2 Germany will compete with Belgium in pool A as the Men's Hockey tournament continues with day two at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, August 13.
The first match of the day sees Australia and South Africa face off in pool B. Australia, nine-time winners of the Hockey Champions Trophy and bronze medalists in the Sydney and Atlanta Olympics, defeated Canada 6-1 in their first match, while South Africa lost 0-5 to the Netherlands on the first day.
World No. 3 the Netherlands will meet Great Britain. The Netherlands won silver in the Athens Olympics and finished first in Sydney. Great Britain, the 1988 Olympic gold medalists, beat Pakistan 4-2 on day one. It was Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympics since the 1952 Games.
Canada will play Pakistan.
In pool A, World No. 2 Germany will face Belgium. The third-place finisher in Athens, Germany won the Hockey Champions Trophy in 2007 but finished in fifth place this year. They beat China 4-1, while Belgium lost 2-4 to Spain on day one.
China, making their Olympic debut as the host country, will compete with the Republic of Korea, which was defeated by New Zealand 1-3.
Winners on the first day New Zealand and Spain will compete for more points.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 1 Preview
Great Britain finally bests Pakistan after 56 years
Great Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympic Men's Hockey competition since the 1952 Games highlighted the opening day of the Men's Hockey preliminary matches at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Monday, August 11. Britain defeated Pakistan 4-2 on a day that saw top medal contenders Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain posting clear-cut victories, while New Zealand upset Korea.
Germany defeated China 4-1. Making their Olympic debut in Men's Hockey, China showed promise early on with a second-minute goal by Na Yubo. A rattled Germany stayed afloat on a 21st minute equalizer from Christopher Zeller and then took control of the match. In the second half world champions Germany got into stride with goals by Florian Keller and Carlos Nevado for a comfortable win.
Great Britain, the 1988 Olympic Gold medalists, beat Pakistan 4-2. The British team got off to a great start to lead 3-0 on goals by James Tindall, Rob Moore and Ashley Jackson.
Three times gold medalists Pakistan, outplayed in the first half, began their fightback after change of ends. Shakeel Abbasi and Muhammad Waqas scored opportunistic goals to put Pakistan back in the hunt. Britain, however, closed the game with a 62nd-minute strike by Matt Daly after quality saves from goalkeeper Alistair McGregor.
It was Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympics since the 1952 Games.
The Republic of Korea lost their game against New Zealand 1-3. New Zealand's penalty corner specialist, Shaw Hayden, struck a purple patch with three conversions in the second half to lead his side to victory. The Republic of Korea, the Asian Games champions and semifinalists at the 2006 World Cup, flattered to deceive after taking the lead in the 12th minute through Lee Nam-yong. Goalkeeper Paul Woolford was the other Kiwi hero with some fine saves.
Australia won their match against Canada 6-1. Australia did as they pleased with their substitutes having a major say in the runaway victory.
Coming off the bench, Des Abbot from Australia scored thrice, while another substitute, Fergus Kavanagh, knocked in one, as did the experienced Grant Schubert and Eddie Ockenden, who notched his maiden Olympic goal.
The Aussies dictated pace and exchanges, but Canada drew some consolation through a Peter Short goal in the 38th minute.
Belgium lost the game against Spain 2-4. It was a typical all-European clash, with Spain posting a convincing if not commanding victory.
Goals by Pol Amat, Santiago Freixa, Xavier Ribas and Victor Sojo set up a Spanish victory that did not come with the ease the scoreline might indicate.
Belgium, bronze medalists at 2007 European Championship, slipped in two goals through Jeorome Truyens and Jerome Dekeyserto to mark their presence.
The Netherlands won a straight-sets match 5-0 over South Africa. It took the Netherlands a while to figure out the South Africans, but once they got going, they were unstoppable.
Taeke Taekema, the penalty-corner specialist, was twice on target in the first half, during which the Dutch struggled to contain the South Africans. The Dutch were a transformed side in the second half. Veteran Teun de Nooijer, playing in his fourth Olympics, created three moves that resulted in goals by Laurence Docherty, Jeroen Hertzberger and Matthijs Brouwer in the 44th, 47th and 66th minutes.
Great Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympic Men's Hockey competition since the 1952 Games highlighted the opening day of the Men's Hockey preliminary matches at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Monday, August 11. Britain defeated Pakistan 4-2 on a day that saw top medal contenders Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain posting clear-cut victories, while New Zealand upset Korea.
Germany defeated China 4-1. Making their Olympic debut in Men's Hockey, China showed promise early on with a second-minute goal by Na Yubo. A rattled Germany stayed afloat on a 21st minute equalizer from Christopher Zeller and then took control of the match. In the second half world champions Germany got into stride with goals by Florian Keller and Carlos Nevado for a comfortable win.
Great Britain, the 1988 Olympic Gold medalists, beat Pakistan 4-2. The British team got off to a great start to lead 3-0 on goals by James Tindall, Rob Moore and Ashley Jackson.
Three times gold medalists Pakistan, outplayed in the first half, began their fightback after change of ends. Shakeel Abbasi and Muhammad Waqas scored opportunistic goals to put Pakistan back in the hunt. Britain, however, closed the game with a 62nd-minute strike by Matt Daly after quality saves from goalkeeper Alistair McGregor.
It was Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympics since the 1952 Games.
The Republic of Korea lost their game against New Zealand 1-3. New Zealand's penalty corner specialist, Shaw Hayden, struck a purple patch with three conversions in the second half to lead his side to victory. The Republic of Korea, the Asian Games champions and semifinalists at the 2006 World Cup, flattered to deceive after taking the lead in the 12th minute through Lee Nam-yong. Goalkeeper Paul Woolford was the other Kiwi hero with some fine saves.
Australia won their match against Canada 6-1. Australia did as they pleased with their substitutes having a major say in the runaway victory.
Coming off the bench, Des Abbot from Australia scored thrice, while another substitute, Fergus Kavanagh, knocked in one, as did the experienced Grant Schubert and Eddie Ockenden, who notched his maiden Olympic goal.
The Aussies dictated pace and exchanges, but Canada drew some consolation through a Peter Short goal in the 38th minute.
Belgium lost the game against Spain 2-4. It was a typical all-European clash, with Spain posting a convincing if not commanding victory.
Goals by Pol Amat, Santiago Freixa, Xavier Ribas and Victor Sojo set up a Spanish victory that did not come with the ease the scoreline might indicate.
Belgium, bronze medalists at 2007 European Championship, slipped in two goals through Jeorome Truyens and Jerome Dekeyserto to mark their presence.
The Netherlands won a straight-sets match 5-0 over South Africa. It took the Netherlands a while to figure out the South Africans, but once they got going, they were unstoppable.
Taeke Taekema, the penalty-corner specialist, was twice on target in the first half, during which the Dutch struggled to contain the South Africans. The Dutch were a transformed side in the second half. Veteran Teun de Nooijer, playing in his fourth Olympics, created three moves that resulted in goals by Laurence Docherty, Jeroen Hertzberger and Matthijs Brouwer in the 44th, 47th and 66th minutes.
Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 1 Preview
Australia's defense of gold begins with Canada
Australia brings a veteran team to Beijing to defend the gold medal it won in Athens. Nine-time winners of the Hockey Champions Trophy and bronze medalists in the Sydney and Atlanta Olympics, Australia will face Canada when the Men's Hockey tournament begins on August 11 at Olympic Green Hockey Stadium. Placed in the top four in every Olympic Games since 1984, the Men's Hockey team is Australia's most consistent performer in any Olympic team sport for the past 20 years.
World No. 2 Germany, third-place finisher in Athens, won the Hockey Champions Trophy in 2007 but finished in fifth place this year. An opening day victory against China, who are making their Olympic debut, may give them the momentum they need to challenge Australia for gold. The team will be relying heavily on a core of experienced, battle hardened players like captain Timo Wess, Tibor Weissenborn and Matthias Witthaus as well as the rising star of the team Moritz Fürste.
The Netherlands, ranked No. 3 in the world, will play the last match of the day against South Africa. The Netherlands won silver in the Athens Olympics and finished first in Sydney. After finishing a surprising seventh at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Dutch men bounced back in 2007 to be crowned European champions for the first time in 20 years. The team relies heavily on Teun de Nooijer, the player widely thought to be the best the country has ever produced. His pace, skill and vast experience give potency to the attack as he bursts forward from the midfield.
With a series of solid results in recent years, Spain has continued to grow under the guidance of highly regarded coach, Maurits Hendriks. The Dutchman, who took the Netherlands to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, has a strong squad known for its attractive style of play. The World No. 4 will open their tournament with a match against Belgium.
Great Britain's fifth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach, their best finish since finishing as runners-up in 1986, is cause for optimism for Great Britain's chances in Beijing as they look to get back on the Olympic medal podium for the first time since claiming a famous gold medal at the 1988 Games in Seoul. They face Pakistan on opening day.
New Zealand meets the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the sixth match of the day. The ROK were late-comers to Olympic hockey, only making their debut when they hosted the Games in Seoul in 1988. In a remarkable progression 12 years later and in only their third Olympic hockey tournament, at the 2000 Games in Sydney, they came within a penalty stroke of becoming Olympic champions.
The medal matches of the Men's Hockey tournament take place August 23.
Australia brings a veteran team to Beijing to defend the gold medal it won in Athens. Nine-time winners of the Hockey Champions Trophy and bronze medalists in the Sydney and Atlanta Olympics, Australia will face Canada when the Men's Hockey tournament begins on August 11 at Olympic Green Hockey Stadium. Placed in the top four in every Olympic Games since 1984, the Men's Hockey team is Australia's most consistent performer in any Olympic team sport for the past 20 years.
World No. 2 Germany, third-place finisher in Athens, won the Hockey Champions Trophy in 2007 but finished in fifth place this year. An opening day victory against China, who are making their Olympic debut, may give them the momentum they need to challenge Australia for gold. The team will be relying heavily on a core of experienced, battle hardened players like captain Timo Wess, Tibor Weissenborn and Matthias Witthaus as well as the rising star of the team Moritz Fürste.
The Netherlands, ranked No. 3 in the world, will play the last match of the day against South Africa. The Netherlands won silver in the Athens Olympics and finished first in Sydney. After finishing a surprising seventh at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Dutch men bounced back in 2007 to be crowned European champions for the first time in 20 years. The team relies heavily on Teun de Nooijer, the player widely thought to be the best the country has ever produced. His pace, skill and vast experience give potency to the attack as he bursts forward from the midfield.
With a series of solid results in recent years, Spain has continued to grow under the guidance of highly regarded coach, Maurits Hendriks. The Dutchman, who took the Netherlands to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, has a strong squad known for its attractive style of play. The World No. 4 will open their tournament with a match against Belgium.
Great Britain's fifth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach, their best finish since finishing as runners-up in 1986, is cause for optimism for Great Britain's chances in Beijing as they look to get back on the Olympic medal podium for the first time since claiming a famous gold medal at the 1988 Games in Seoul. They face Pakistan on opening day.
New Zealand meets the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the sixth match of the day. The ROK were late-comers to Olympic hockey, only making their debut when they hosted the Games in Seoul in 1988. In a remarkable progression 12 years later and in only their third Olympic hockey tournament, at the 2000 Games in Sydney, they came within a penalty stroke of becoming Olympic champions.
The medal matches of the Men's Hockey tournament take place August 23.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Improving movement with the ball
Pull back technique
Description:
Set up for cones about 2m square and explain the square being the clock Players start with the ball at 6 oclock and run to 12 oclock, players then stops the ball and pull the ball back towards 6 oclock to change direction and run the ball towards 3 oclock
restart practice
Coaching Points
:: stop the ball with the left foot forward
:: to pull ball back transfer weight from left foot
to right foot
:: Pull the ball all the way back to beyond the right
foot before running off with the ball into the
changed direction (because the ball should be
run slightly outside and in front of the right foot)
Click here to see video.
Round and Across
Description
Players run around the outside of the 4 cones with their ball (in the same direction). On the whistle, all players have to run across the square from the side they are on to the opposite side avoiding others.
Click here to see video.
Pull back
Description
Set up four cones in a 5 by 5 metre square You can have 1 to 4 players working in any one square, each player needs a ball.
Coaching Points
:: Beginners should try and stop with their left
foot forward then to push back from this foot
and change direction
:: some players naturally stop with their right foot
and then push off with their left (this should
not be discourage)
Click here to see video.
Lets practise!
Description:
Set up for cones about 2m square and explain the square being the clock Players start with the ball at 6 oclock and run to 12 oclock, players then stops the ball and pull the ball back towards 6 oclock to change direction and run the ball towards 3 oclock
restart practice
Coaching Points
:: stop the ball with the left foot forward
:: to pull ball back transfer weight from left foot
to right foot
:: Pull the ball all the way back to beyond the right
foot before running off with the ball into the
changed direction (because the ball should be
run slightly outside and in front of the right foot)
Click here to see video.
Round and Across
Description
Players run around the outside of the 4 cones with their ball (in the same direction). On the whistle, all players have to run across the square from the side they are on to the opposite side avoiding others.
Click here to see video.
Pull back
Description
Set up four cones in a 5 by 5 metre square You can have 1 to 4 players working in any one square, each player needs a ball.
Coaching Points
:: Beginners should try and stop with their left
foot forward then to push back from this foot
and change direction
:: some players naturally stop with their right foot
and then push off with their left (this should
not be discourage)
Click here to see video.
Lets practise!
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