So how do we evaluate all this to form a team

 PATTERNS OF PLAY The most likely strategy leading to goal scoring opportunities was repossessing the ball in the attacking half, moving the ball down the edges of the field and entering the circle by dribbling through the sides of the circle, and then shooting from a hit at the top of the circle or a deflection close to goal. The introduction of the self-pass rule also decreased the time to engage in free hits by 3.5 secs, reach the attacking 25 from the defensive areas by 2.5–6.0 secs, and increased the percentage of circle entry types by dribbling by 24% and number of goal shots from circle entries by 8%.  COMPARATIVE STUDIES In the comparison of short and long corners, 34% more short corners were converted into goals than long corners. Short passing sequences were also 9x more effective at creating goal scoring opportunities than long passing sequences. Moreover, when a high frequency of substitutions was utilised as opposed to no substitutions of strikers, the strikers completed 39% more technical actions. Analytic methods have been investigated in other team invasion-based sports and have generated useful results, so implementation of these methods in hockey has the potential for similar valuable outcomes. For example, in relation to collective team behaviors in Australian Football, teams increase their length, width and surface area during offence to disrupt the opposition structure, but in defense they contract to protect the area closest to goal. In soccer, social network analysis has shown that lateral defenders and midfielders were the key players that initiated attacks that lead to goal scoring opportunities. In basketball, a greater value of entropy or unpredictability in attack was evident for higher deficit wins than smaller deficit wins or large deficit losses. Game styles were built around five moments of play in both soccer and Australian Football; established attack, transition attack, transition defense, established defense and set pieces which were used to highlight areas of strengths and weaknesses of individual teams reflecting key strategies they utilize to win. These are practical methods for developing strategies, based on the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and team structure, rather than just focusing on the outcomes of game actions. These techniques can be applied to analyzing strategy in hockey. For example, identifying a team’s defensive structure from a free hit in the defensive 25 compared to attacking 25, understanding a team’s ball movement patterns to create goal scoring opportunities when winning or losing, identifying the players with high passing ability versus those with exceptional running and dribbling skills, or identifying whether a team is more likely to score from established attacks, counter attacks or set pieces to understand the need to limit these opportunities. Hockey performance analysis in research and practice has been limited by the resources available. We consider that methods of analysis can be improved with the resources currently available to analysts working directly with hockey coaches and players. Using basic equipment such as a camera and notational analysis system, analysts should focus on capturing data in relation to time, location, opposition interaction and match context. For example, recording the type and location of a turnover and pressure from the opposition rather than just the total number of turnovers in a game. This level of analysis will facilitate a very extensive pipeline of practical insights to be obtained from the resources and time committed in the field, in combination with the ongoing development of the data analysis skills of individual analysts. In conclusion, there is limited research into performance analysis in hockey, and methods employed typically do not reflect current and emerging best practice approaches. Studies have examined the patterns of play leading to goal scoring opportunities, penalty corner routines and comparative studies of specific game events. Team invasion sport is currently viewed as a dynamic, complex system and performance analysis methods should reflect this view by analyzing hockey from a holistic approach that combines player actions, spatio-temporal measures and player-opposition interactions. MOVING THE BALL FROM DEFENSE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GAME. If you are unable to do this successfully it can be difficult to form attacks against the opposition. With The Ball Movement Move the ball initially to the sidelines where space is available To form your attack, once wide you can either: 1. Continue the ball movement down the line 2. Move the ball infield 3. Go back where the ball came from to transfer the ball to the other side / space Red Zone • We encourage to initially steer clear of the red zone as it is the most dangerous area to turn the ball over to the opposition as they can attack with space and numbers going forward. • We also recognise that being able to pass and receive into this area will create space in other channels / avenues as you can move the ball both ways and open up opposition defences • This area on an initial outlet can be considered as a high risk – high reward zone for developing teams *Please note this model / structure is a basic guide, there are lots of ways to outlet based on your team’s style Then comes the question what do players do without the ball movement or when then ball is not in possession or even at our side? How can they read the game and contribute based on the qualities I shared above. Defensive Positioning Principles When Marking 1. See the player see the ball’ • This means you need to see the ball carrier as well as the player you are marking • It is important you are not ‘square’ to the ball where your back is to the player you are marking 2. Stay on the inside corridor of the opponent • If the opponent is able to receive the ball, they will receive the ball on the outside in a wide position rather than in the middle of the field 3. Elastic Band theory • As the ball carrier gets closer to you, you need to get closer to your opponent you are marking • This is especially in the defensive circle FIELD HOCKEY TACTICAL APPROACHES: ONE-TOUCH AND THREE-TOUCH STRATEGIES In the fast-paced world of field hockey, tactical approaches play a crucial role in shaping gameplay and determining team success. Two key strategies often employed by teams are the one-touch and three-touch methods, each with its own distinct characteristics and applications. • One-Touch Strategy:  Definition: The one-touch strategy emphasizes quick, precise passing and movement with minimal ball control.  Execution: Players aim to release the ball swiftly upon receiving it, often with a single touch, to maintain momentum and keep the opposition on their toes.  Advantages: One-touch play enables teams to transition rapidly from defense to offense, exploiting gaps in the opposing defense and creating scoring opportunities with swift, unpredictable passing sequences.  Key Components: Accurate passing, seamless coordination, and awareness of teammates' positions are essential for successful execution of the one-touch strategy. • Three-Touch Strategy:  Definition: The three-touch strategy involves a slightly more deliberate approach, with players taking up to three touches to control, maneuver, and distribute the ball.  Execution: Players utilize their three allotted touches to assess their options, manipulate the ball to advantageous positions, and execute strategic passes or shots.  Advantages: The three-touch method provides players with additional control and decision-making opportunities, allowing for more deliberate buildup play and tactical maneuvering to break down stubborn defenses.  Key Components: Technical proficiency, spatial awareness, and the ability to read the game are crucial for effectively implementing the three-touch strategy. • Strategic Considerations:  Flexibility: Teams may alternate between one-touch and three-touch approaches based on the flow of the game, adapting their tactics to exploit specific opportunities or counter opposing strategies.  Communication: Clear communication among players is paramount in executing tactical maneuvers and maintaining cohesion on the field, regardless of the chosen strategy.  Adaptability: Successful teams possess the versatility to adjust their tactical approach in real-time, responding to changing game conditions and opponent strategies with agility and creativity. In summary, the one-touch and three-touch strategies represent two distinct yet complementary approaches to field hockey gameplay. By mastering these tactical methods and deploying them strategically, teams can unlock their full potential and achieve success on the field. In addition to the one-touch and three-touch strategies, there are several other tactical approaches commonly employed in field hockey. Here are a few more examples: 1. Pressing Tactics:  Definition: Pressing tactics involve coordinated efforts by the defending team to apply pressure on the opposing players in possession of the ball, with the aim of forcing turnovers or disrupting their passing lanes.  Execution: Players strategically position themselves to cut off passing options, apply pressure on the ball carrier, and intercept passes, often employing a combination of man-to-man marking and zone defense principles.  Advantages: Effective pressing tactics can unsettle opponents, disrupt their buildup play, and create opportunities for counterattacks or turnovers in advantageous positions. 2. Counterattacking Strategies:  Definition: Counterattacking strategies focus on exploiting turnovers or defensive weaknesses to quickly transition from defense to offense and launch rapid attacks against the opposing team.  Execution: After regaining possession of the ball, players swiftly advance up the field, utilizing speed, precision passing, and intelligent positioning to catch the opposition off guard and create scoring opportunities.  Advantages: Counterattacking strategies capitalize on the element of surprise and exploit gaps left by opponents committing to offensive maneuvers, often leading to high-quality scoring chances and goals. 3. Set-Piece Plays:  Definition: Set-piece plays involve pre-planned tactical maneuvers executed during penalty corners, penalty strokes, free hits, or other set-piece situations to create scoring opportunities or defensive solidity.  Execution: Teams meticulously choreograph their movements, player positioning, and passing sequences to outmaneuver the opposition's defense or execute well-rehearsed defensive strategies to thwart incoming attacks.  Advantages: Set-piece plays offer teams the opportunity to capitalize on specialized skills, exploit opponent vulnerabilities, and gain a competitive edge in critical moments of the game. 4. Overloading and Rotational Movement:  Definition: Overloading and rotational movement tactics involve strategically positioning players to create numerical advantages in specific areas of the field and facilitate dynamic movement patterns to disorient opposing defenses.  Execution: Players coordinate their movements to overload one side of the field, draw defenders out of position, and create passing lanes or scoring opportunities for teammates through intelligent off-the-ball runs and interchanges.  Advantages: These tactics disrupt the opposition's defensive structure, create space for attacking players to exploit, and enable teams to maintain possession and control of the game tempo. By incorporating these tactical approaches into their gameplay strategies, field hockey teams can enhance their overall performance, exploit opponent weaknesses, and maximize their chances of success on the field. Being in the game or playing the game is 2 different things – if you played it you would know it.