6 v 6 Field Hockey

Description of Game

Teams compete against each other in a 6 v 6 format, working on similar strategies for 10 a-side but helping them make better decisions by limiting their options through the number of players.

Offense

1. •Knowing when to pass, dribble, or shoot
   

2. •Supporting the ball carrier
   

3. •Executing skills – dribbling, passing
   

Defense

1. •Guarding and defending as a unit
   

2. •Blocking pass and/or shot – stealing the ball
   

Game Aim

1. •penetrating the defense to score
   

2. •cooperative play
   

Structure

1. •Students play 6 v 6 (possibly with kicking back) in half the field with nets on original sidelines
   

2. •Students may line up however their team decides: 3-2-1, 1-2-3, 2-2-2, etc.
   

3. •While the object of the game is to score, students should focus on fair play and cooperation
   

Rules

1. Can only shoot from within the circle – shots cannot be above the knee

2. When there is a free hit, players must be 5 yards away from the hitter

3. When ball goes out of bounds, possession goes to the team that did not knock it out

Modifications

1. •must pass certain number of times before shooting
   

2. •change space – create rules for where the forward/defence can go to avoid bunching
   

3. •make nets larger/smaller
   

4. •reduce the number of players – have substitutes
   

Concept To Be Developed

Offense

How to move to create space for passing and scoring

How, where and when to pass to move the ball towards the net

Defense

Where to position oneself to prevent passing and/or shooting

How to tackle

Skills To Be Developed

On-the-ball Skills

Dribbling at speed –  incorporating pulls and deeks

Passing & Shooting – push, slap

Stealing the ball – poke check, straight on

Off-the-ball Movements

Supporting the ball carrier – creating space, getting open for a pass

Guarding and marking space vs. players

Working together

** The teacher may ask the students to focus on a particular skill/strategy for the day, especially if they notice students struggling

Tactical Problems

SPACE

1. •where to go to defend
   

2. •where to pass/shoot
   

3. •how to get open
   

TIME

1. •when to pass to partner
   

2. •when to shoot
   

FORCE

1. •how much force to apply to pass/shot
   

2. •how to apply force
   

** the tactical problems are the same as in the first game, however, the students should now have a better understanding of them and thus be more able to work on them – despite the different structure of the game, hopefully they can think back to the first time they faced these problems and how they have progressed since then