Challenge attackers and defenders in a competitive 3v2 field hockey drill emphasizing transition, outletting, and defensive patience.
Objective
This drill develops attacking decisions in a 3v2 while challenging defenders to regain possession and successfully outlet the ball. Both groups must transition quickly as possession changes.
Skill Emphasis
- 3v2 attacking
- Defensive patience
- Outletting
- Transition
- Width
- Passing lanes
- Communication
Drill
- Create a channel extending from the penalty-corner insert mark to the 25-yard line.
- Divide the field players into two teams and position one goalkeeper in the cage.
- Place additional attackers in a line at the top of the 25-yard line.
- Place additional defenders in two lines outside the sidelines.
- Begin with three attackers inside the playing area.
- Two defenders enter from the sidelines to create a 3v2.
- Start each repetition with an entry pass from the 25-yard line. The first pass may not enter the circle.
- The attackers play until they score or the ball leaves the playing area.
- After an attacking goal or a ball out of bounds, the attackers receive a new ball in a make-it, take-it format.
- To rotate out, the defenders must win possession and complete an outlet to a teammate moving along either sideline.
- After a successful outlet, the defenders exit.
- The outlet receiver returns the ball to the top, and two new defenders enter.
Recommended
- Create width and move the ball quickly to exploit the numerical advantage.
- Encourage defenders to remain patient, communicate and force a predictable pass.
- Require a controlled outlet rather than allowing defenders to simply clear the ball away.
- Keep outlet players active so they continually create passing lanes.
- Extend the playing area to the 50-yard line to increase space and running demands.
- After the outlet, transition immediately into a 2v1 toward the opposite goal.
- Add a second goalkeeper so both goals may be trained simultaneously.
