Develop Spacial Awareness To Improve Decision Making in Field Hockey
During a hockey game, are you aware of where the space is in each situation?
Do you know how to use the space you have? Or to move defenders to create more space for yourself?
Having spacial awareness allows you to know what is happening around you and make the right decision in each situation.
Here is an example of how to use and develop spacial awareness to improve decision making:
Here is a summary of the key points:
1. Striker position on the baseline
We spend 95% of the game without the ball, so our off the ball positioning allows us manipulate or move defenders (even if you don't get the ball) and we can create space by stretching the field.
In this example the striker's deep position on the baseline threatens the outside pass which pulls the defender out wider, opening up the inside channel.
2. Move the defender
If you want to get the ball into the most dangerous part of the field (i.e. the circle), think about how to move the defender out of the 'hotline' - which is the line of the ball to goal.
One way you can do this is to run at an angle or line outside of their body (i.e. outside their left foot space) to draw them out wide. In this example the defenders takes a couple of steps to his left opening up the pass into the circle.
3. Pre-scan to identify where the space is
The attacking player in the circle looks over his shoulder before the pass is made to assess where the defender is and how much time and space he has if the ball comes to him.
You can improve your spacial awareness by constantly scanning the field to assess where players are which will give you more time to make good decisions and be a step ahead of the play.
4. Pass to the most dangerous free player
Once the player on the ball get the defender moving, he passes the ball to the free player in the circle (who is more dangerous than the player on the baseline) and he makes the pass before he engages with the defender, keeping the ball out of contact.
5. Use 1st touch to put the ball into a shooting position
When you have awareness of the space around you, it can influence how you receive the ball.
In this example the player in the circle lets the ball come across to his right foot and he places the ball into the perfect position to get his shot off quickly (i.e. tomahawk). This is great two touch hockey.
6. Change of grip
As he starts his swing to prepare for the tomahawk shot, notice the change of his grip which allows him to get his hands in the right place to execute his shot, without wasting any time.
7. Connect below the sweet spot to lift the ball
The defender in the circle starts to close him down and put him under pressure from a low angle, so he makes a connection with the ball below the sweet spot (i.e. the midline of the ball) in order to lift the ball over the defenders stick and into the top corner, beating the keeper.
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Develop Spacial Awareness To Improve Decision Making in Field Hockey
During a hockey game, are you aware of where the space is in each situation?
Do you know how to use the space you have? Or to move defenders to create more space for yourself?
Having spacial awareness allows you to know what is happening around you and make the right decision in each situation.
Here is an example of how to use and develop spacial awareness to improve decision making:
Here is a summary of the key points:
1. Striker position on the baseline
We spend 95% of the game without the ball, so our off the ball positioning allows us manipulate or move defenders (even if you don't get the ball) and we can create space by stretching the field.
In this example the striker's deep position on the baseline threatens the outside pass which pulls the defender out wider, opening up the inside channel.
2. Move the defender
If you want to get the ball into the most dangerous part of the field (i.e. the circle), think about how to move the defender out of the 'hotline' - which is the line of the ball to goal.
One way you can do this is to run at an angle or line outside of their body (i.e. outside their left foot space) to draw them out wide. In this example the defenders takes a couple of steps to his left opening up the pass into the circle.
3. Pre-scan to identify where the space is
The attacking player in the circle looks over his shoulder before the pass is made to assess where the defender is and how much time and space he has if the ball comes to him.
You can improve your spacial awareness by constantly scanning the field to assess where players are which will give you more time to make good decisions and be a step ahead of the play.
4. Pass to the most dangerous free player
Once the player on the ball get the defender moving, he passes the ball to the free player in the circle (who is more dangerous than the player on the baseline) and he makes the pass before he engages with the defender, keeping the ball out of contact.
5. Use 1st touch to put the ball into a shooting position
When you have awareness of the space around you, it can influence how you receive the ball.
In this example the player in the circle lets the ball come across to his right foot and he places the ball into the perfect position to get his shot off quickly (i.e. tomahawk). This is great two touch hockey.
6. Change of grip
As he starts his swing to prepare for the tomahawk shot, notice the change of his grip which allows him to get his hands in the right place to execute his shot, without wasting any time.
7. Connect below the sweet spot to lift the ball
The defender in the circle starts to close him down and put him under pressure from a low angle, so he makes a connection with the ball below the sweet spot (i.e. the midline of the ball) in order to lift the ball over the defenders stick and into the top corner, beating the keeper.
WANT TO REACH THE NEXT LEVEL IN YOUR HOCKEY?
I've put together a FREE 20 min training video sharing the 4 Steps To Get Noticed In Hockey, including how to avoid the same mistakes that I made (and that many others make too) when striving to reach a higher level in hockey.
Get the 4 Steps To Get Noticed FREE Training HERE
For more hockey tips and training DOWNLOAD OUR FREE mobile app using the buttons below