Hockey Session (Foundation Phase): HWHC U6 - U7 (31-10-21) Stick Skills & Sweeping the Ball

Rob the Nest

SET UP

• Setup four teams, each with a square of cones.
• Put a 'nest' in the middle with as many balls as you can.
• Each team should have 2-3 players. Run more than one game if you have a large group.
• Only one player from each team can go at a time.
• They must run into the middle, retrieve one ball and dribble it back to their team. Then the next player can go.
• Remember – one player, one ball!
• They must dribble all the way back and not just hit it back to their team.
• The game is over when all of the balls have gone from the middle.
• The winning team is the team with the most balls.
• For the second round of the game, teams must return all of their balls to the middle, one ball at a time, one player at a time. This gives the losing team from the first round a chance to win, as they have fewer balls to return.

Progression

• Still with just one player from each team at a time going, they can now take a ball from the middle or from another team’s corner.
• Teams cannot defend their balls. If another team comes to take a ball, they must let them.
• Run the game for 2 mins. The winning team is the team with the most balls.
• Make sure you clearly explain the rules!
• Ie, one player from each team at a time, dribbling all the way back to your team, not defending your own balls.
• Rules of hockey also apply – you can’t stand on the ball or pick it up to protect it!

Me and My Ball - Progression

• Take balls away from just under half the group.
• Give them a cone / marker to stand next to.
• Players with a ball - pass to a player by a cone and then take their place.
• Once a player by a cone receives a ball, they then dribble to a different player on a cone to make a pass.

Attacking

When might a sweep be used in attacking play?

- A long pass forward or wide.

Why is a sweep likely to be more successful in this situation than a push or a hit?

- A sweep is more powerful than a push and more accurate than a hit.

• Join with another pair to make a group of four.
• Take turns to sweep the ball in different directions to each of your teammates - left, straight, right.
• Rotate positions.

Numbers Game

SET UP

• Split group into two (ideally 5 per team, no more than 6 per team).
• Number each player in each group 1-5/6.
• If there is an odd number, give one player in the odd team two numbers.
• Place two goals opposite each other.
• Each team stands on either side of the pitch, opposite each other.
• Give them cones to stand behind or they do creep forward!
• Indicate which goal each team is scoring into.
• Call a number and roll a ball into the middle.
• 1 v 1 between the two players with that number. The aim is to score a goal.
• When a player's number is called they must run around the back for their defending goal before going for the ball.
• Progress to call 2 or 3 numbers together to create 2 v 2, 3 v 3, etc.