Connect possession and defensive pressure to the moment that often decides games: the immediate transition after an interception.
Objective
This drill challenges one team to maintain possession while the other looks to intercept and attack quickly. Players must recognize the change of possession, reorganize immediately and either create or deny a quick scoring opportunity.
Skill Emphasis
- Possession
- Interceptions
- Transition from defense to attack
- Counterattacking
- Defensive recovery
- Quick finishing
Drill
- Create a 15-by-15- or 20-by-20-yard grid based on the group’s possession level.
- Position four mini-goals or cone gates around the grid.
- Use approximately 10 to 12 players.
- Begin with a 4v4 inside the grid.
- Add two stationary wall passers from the possession team, positioned on the end lines.
- The coach feeds a ball into the grid.
- The possession team works with its wall passers to complete five consecutive passes for one point.
- The defending team attempts to intercept.
- When the defending team wins the ball, it immediately attacks any of the four mini-goals or gates.
- If the possession team wins the ball back, it resumes its attempt to complete five passes.
- Play sideline hits as normal field-hockey restarts.
- Restart balls crossing an end line with a new feed from the coach.
Recommended
- Add a center line to divide the grid into two halves.
- After an interception, require the counterattacking team to score in a goal located in the same half as the turnover.
- Encourage the team losing possession to reorganize quickly and deny the first shot.
- Encourage the intercepting team to finish before the opposition can recover.
- Adjust the grid size based on whether you want to favor possession or defensive pressure.
- Keep extra balls with the coach to create immediate restarts.
