Coaching 7-a-Side Hockey

The 7-a-side Hockey format, played at Under 13 level and below, provides an important introduction to the game for many young players. It is a key stage in developing the fundamental skills, confidence and game understanding needed for future progression. While many techniques are shared with the full version of the game, the smaller pitch creates different tactical challenges and requires a specific approach to coaching. This course explores how the 7-a-side game can be used to develop effective decision-making and introduce tactical concepts that transfer into 11-a-side Hockey, including long corner strategies, attacking play around the circle and the use of the self pass.

• The foundation skills of the game skills
• 1v1 elimination skills
• Passing on the reverse and the open stick
• Free Hits & Long Corner rule
• Outletting from 16-yard hits
• Penalty Corners attack and defence
• Making the most of the self pass
• Formations for the 7-a-side game
• Games based practices