Wednesday evenings 5.30–6.30pm for School years 7, 8 and 9 or those who are not experienced club players in years 10 who wish to learn and improve on their Hockey skills. This course aims to the link stage towards playing club hockey. Coaches’ discretion may move players to the adult session from 6.30pm.

Topic 1: Warm ups (weekly)

Coach led and include:

	Red Arrows
	Leap frog tag
	Ladders
	Stuck in the mud & skills box or relays
	Egg collectors (Teams of 3/4 or 5 - no sticks - balls are scattered around an area, teams must collect the balls or steal from other teams, only one ball may be collected at a time - time limit 1 or 2 min)
	Bulldog
	Shuttles

Topic 2: General skills (week 1)

Playing position:

	Hands
	Body - toilet position
	Ball position - for vision, control etc.

Basic moving with the ball:

Moving in a small space, avoid other players, get used to stick and ball

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session.

Topic 3: Moving the ball - introduction (week 2)

Controlling the ball:

Players move with a ball each, in correct position (hands, body, stick and ball in front of body etc.)

Passing/Pushing:

	In pair's or three's, 5yards apart. Position square on, weight transfer from back to front foot, hand position, eye on the ball.
	Advance to moving and passing. Can use a four cone box with three players, passing and moving to the empty cone.
	Passing on open stick to team member – counting and calling out the number of fingers raised by receiver.

Receiving the ball:

	As with pushing. Reverse skills - allow stick to cushion the ball by keeping the bottom hand loose on the stick.
	As with passing receiving on open stick to team member – counting and calling out the number of fingers raised by receiver.

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session:

	Netball hockey - can't move with the ball, must pass to keep position and gain space
	Either mini games or shuttle runs with passing & receiving.

Topic 4: Moving with the ball – part one (Week 3 & 4)

Re-cap on passing and receiving:

	Hands
	Body - toilet position
	Ball position - for vision, control etc.

English Dribble:

	Straight line
	Mini course - open stick only
	Obstacle course

Indian Dribble:

	Stationary
	On the move
	Mini course - open & reverse stick
	Obstacle Course

Turning with the ball:

	With open stick dribble
	With Indian dribble

Skills box:

In and out of skills box to reinforce these skill sets

Whistle:

Changing the pattern of moving with the ball by using the whistle to ‘call’ a different skill type as follows Open only Stop Indian Dribble Turn Pass

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session

Topic 5: Moving the ball – part two (Week 5)

Hitting

	Start on knees, ball central and just out of reach when stick is held normally.
	Eyes on the ball, flat swing not above head
	Move front leg onto foot
	Lift back knee slightly off the floor
	Step in one pace and hit the ball

Hitting whilst moving:

	Dance step into the ball
	Twist, Cross, Open, Hit

Slap hit:

As with pushing and hitting. The stick remains on the floor throughout the hit. Hands remain in pushing position.

Long handle hit:

As with the slap hit but hands remain in the hitting position.

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session

Topic 6: Tackling (Week 6)

Jab tackle:

	Without sticks, in pairs, players must tag each others feet whilst protecting their own. Emphasis on body position - knees bent, back straight.
	With sticks - floor fencing, players must tap each others feet with the handle of their stick; sticks must touch the floor at all times.
	In pairs, one player with stick and ball, other to shadow the ball with their stick and make a tackle.

Block/Flat stick tackle

Reverse stick tackle

Do not encourage a tackle using the side of the stick

Defending boxes

Have a row of 1 v 1 boxes; players try to beat each other, the winner moves up the row of boxes and the loser moves down the row.

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session

Topic 7: Beating a Player (Week 7 & 8)

Open side:

In pairs, passing to the defenders right using a body dummy.

Reverse side:

In pairs, passing to the defenders left using a stick dummy.

Movement:

	Using different skills to beat a player.
	Speed, bunny hop over stick, nutmeg (left foot) etc.

Topic concludes with games & shuttles to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session.

Topic 8: Shooting/ Scoring (Week 9)

Flicking the ball:

	As with the technique for hitting the ball.
	Hand and stick position.
	Body as low as possible.

Push shot:

	Emphasis on accuracy not power.
	Use small targets - hit the side boards or the goal posts.
	Power push - ball behind the body to increase ball-stick contact time.

Shooting competition:

With and without a goalkeeper.

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session

Topic 9: Goalkeeping
Any week (except week 1) for anyone who shows interest in being a GK (can be a side session to the main training)

Warm-up specific for goalkeeping

Basic goalkeeping.  Use tennis balls to introduce the following:

	Kicking
	Receiving
	Deflecting
	Body position - head over knee over ankle (HOKOA)

GK calling:

Series of calls understood by goalkeeper and defenders: READY, WIDE, COVER LEFT/RIGHT, SAFETY etc.

Topic 10: Shooting and Scoring Two (Week 10)

Hitting shots - re-cap on session on hitting & hitting on the move.

Use tennis balls for a shoot and save competition

Cross bar/Posts challenge

Topic concludes with games to emphasise these skill sets and in small sets or groups for duration of course or session

Topic11: Match Play, Leadership and Umpiring (Week 11)

Mini tournament, on half pitches length-ways, umpired and coaches for each to give the players a full 'match play experience'.  Parents welcome to attend and watch. A Pack will be issued at end of the session with rules of hockey, plans and dates for next term and information on joining Fry's Hockey Club.

	Rules of hockey
	Team play and captaincy
	Respecting others teams and umpires
	Introduction to England Hockey Leadership Award (In pack)