Hockey Session (Foundation Phase): Zone Possession Game

Zone 1

Objective: Each team's objective when they have the ball is to keep possession and expand the playing area.

Set up:

• Segment the area of the field between the 25-yard line and the 50-yard line into three distinct zones
• Begin with a 4v4 in Zone 1
• Position one player from each team in Zone 2 and one player from each team in Zone 3 (six players on each team, 12 total)

• Standard field hockey rules apply
• The team in possession (blue) works to complete four passes
• Once the team in possession (blue) completes four passes, they can expand into Zone 2 (playing area is now Zone 1 and Zone 2), once they complete four additional passes they can expand into Zone 3 (entire playing area)
• If the defensive team (white) comes up with the ball, they automatically start a 4v4 in whatever Zone they intercept or tackle inside, the begin working to complete four passes to start expanding into new zones
• Whenever a foul occurs or the ball goes out of bounds, the pass count resets

• With the ball: good vision and prescanning to encourage quick, accurate passes
• Without the ball: balanced defensive structure, pressure/cover
• When expanded into larger playing area: use the whole space to keep the defense spread out

• Decrease/increase numbers and/or playing area based on team size and skill level
• Count passes out loud
• Have lots of balls around boundaries to keep the play moving
• Aim for three, three to five-minute periods and give your team time to discuss strategy between periods
• Award a team a point if they complete four passes after expanding into the full playing area

Zone 3