Small Game Tactics and Competitive Drills

with Pam Bustin, Duke University Head Coach;
2011 ACC Coach of the Year; 2011 Womensfieldhockey.com National Coach of the Year;
Assistant Coach for the United States National Under 19 Team; former Assistant Coach for the US National Team at the 2008 Olympics; former University of Louisville Head Coach; 5x Big East/MAC Champions; 3x Big East/MAC Coach of the Year

Pam Bustin shows you a competitive small games practice that is effective in isolating specific skills for players to develop under game conditions. Through small games competition you will learn how to challenge your player's fundamental skills using the following competitive drills:

• 4 Goal Game
• 3 v 3 Diagonal Attacking
• 3 v 3 Diagonal Defending
• 3 v 3 Half Court
• 6 v 4 Continuous

The 4 Goal Game forces players to quickly develop attack and defense awareness by limiting the playing area. Developing each player's vision is at the heart of this drill. By effectively creating game speed midfield play, passing accuracy, being able to see your target early, seeing lanes, scanning, pre-scanning for passes are some of the core fundamental skills that will be challenged and developed in this small-game drill.

The 3v3 Diagonal small game drills are effective in creating game speed transition tempo. In a 3 v 3 format each team works to attack a goal in front of them as well as a goal to their right. Therefore each team is responsible for protecting a diagonal space and attacking a diagonal space. Since the space is limited, it is essential for players to develop the ability to quickly scan and pre-scan so that their first touch is on target. This drill will translate in improving your game performance in many key areas, including: tracking, long hit, side in possession, the ability to move the ball, and to keep possession and break out against a higher number of defenders.

The 3v3 Half Court to goal drill utilizes the goalie as well as three attack and three defenders. One of the strengths of this drill is that it facilitates communication between the defenders and their goalie. Possession will alternate between each team thereby ensuring the goalie will be communicating with each group of players, as determined by possession. Transition, tipping, goalie communication as well as shooting on goal are some of the key development features of this drill.

The Small Game Competition practice concludes with "6 v 4 Continuous" game. Using only half of the field this drill is intended to encourage offensive possession and strategies. For example this drill will help the attack to see where and how be in position to tip or get the ball off the defender. The offense can keep the ball speed up in order to shift the defense and create opportunities.

Coach Bustin has done an outstanding job creating exercises that will challenge and build players skills at any level of Field Hockey.

66 minutes. 2013.