Hockey: Positional Roles - With and without possession

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DESCRIPTION

When team in possession of the ball:

Keeper

  • To get the ball out of the circle
  • Maybe set-up an attack

Sweeper

  • Directs the play from the back
  • Assists with transferring the ball
  • Takes your 16 yard hits
  • Supports the midfield when higher up the pitch

CB

  • Makes themself available to assist when playing the ball from the back

RB/LB

  • Be in position to receive the ball wide on 16-yard hits
  • Support the midfield when in possession

CM

  • Always available to receive the ball.
  • Looks to spread the ball, using their central connection point to help their whole team
  • Take a lot of the free hits

RM/LM

  • Very important link in the attacking patterns
  • Supports the forwards by moving up the pitch
  • Should sometimes take players on
  • Should offer a passing option to the defence
  • Should also be able to score

CF

  • Try to get free from their marker
  • Pull defenders out of position to create space for other players to explore
  • Able to receive the ball when being man to man marked
  • Needs to be able to take players on in the one to one
  • Able to shoot from all positions and win rebounds
  • Able to win short corners

RF/LF

  • Keep wide to receive the ball
  • Able to take on players
  • Can take some risks
  • Should try to cross the ball into the circle
  • Able to win short corners

COACHING POINTS

When team is not in possession of the ball:

Keeper

  • Organise the defensive players during play and short corners
  • Ability to keep the ball out of the goal

Sweeper

  • Organise the defence
  • Fill in the spaces by pushing up
  • Provide defensive cover for other defenders and sometimes for other midfielders and forwards
  • Needs to be able to 'read the game'
  • See where the next danger is coming from
  • Know when to push up to assist the press

CB

  • Closely mark the opposition's centre forward
  • Must be very disciplined
  • Try to anticipate and not react to dangers
  • Try to intercept the ball

RB/LB

  • Closely mark the opposition's wide forwards
  • Force players to attack wide (away from the middle)
  • Provide cover when on the non-possession side
  • Try to intercept the ball
  • Try to anticipate and not react to dangers

CM

  • Try to intercept the ball
  • Break down the opposition's attacks
  • Stop players coming through the middle and force players to the outside
  • Front mark during full/full court press

RM/LM

  • Need to be able to decide when to zonal mark, man to man mark or front mark
  • Try to intercept the ball
  • Look to break down the attacks

CF

  • Close down and put pressure on the ball
  • Stop transfers of ball once the ball has gone wide
  • Front mark 16 yard hits as soon asap , making the ball go wide
  • Marking and stopping the forward running central defender / sweeper

 

RF/LF

  • Close down and put pressure on the player in possession
  • Stand in the passing lines to the midfield (on their side)
  • Stop and mark the forward running wide defenders
  • Come back to support and mark if the RD/LD pushes higher up the pitch

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