1. Hockey QLD Base Game Plan Structure/Positioning

2. STRUCTURE  Standard structure 4-3-3  4 Defenders (2 Central Defenders/Fullbacks, 2 Outside Defenders/Halves)  3 Midfielders (1 Defensive Mid/Centre Half. 2 Attacking Mids/Inside Forwards)  3 Strikers (Left, Centre, Right)

3. KEY THEMES  IFIT: In Front, In Touch  First Touch: Controlling the ball with your first touch and positioning it ready for the next play (ideally off your right foot “ball at 1 o’clock”)  HOTLINE: Line between the ball and the goal in defense.  Sweeper will cover this to ensure the opposition don’t have the option of a direct line to the goal/circle.  Passing Quality: Hitting the target every time; flat, firm, accurate.  Attacking Speed: Receiving going forward.  Receive in Motion (RIM): Ability to receive the ball in motion to eliminate defenders whilst receiving, as well as maintaining momentum.

4. Why use 4-3-3?  Simple, basic and effective structure.  Provides stability.  Limits confusion.  Easy to adjust from basic formation to variations.

5. DEFENDERS – With the Ball (WB)  Back 4 across the field (width/stretch the field):  Provides multiple options in transferring.  Safer against the counter attack/turnovers.  Back 3 with a promoted Defender (Variation):  Outside half promotes forward up the line (making a 4 th Midfielder).  One Fullback promotes into the midfield line and works with the Centre Half (4 th Midfielder).

6. MIDFIELD – WB  Centre Half works with Back 4 (defenders) but in front of the defensive line.  Inside forwards work with Centre Half (triangle shape).  Rotation pattern where all three midfielders can fill into any spot.  Attacking mids/Inside forwards provide width.

7. STRIKERS – WB  Stretching High (Depth) creating space between them and Midfield (space to lead into)  Inverted: Centre Striker deeper working closer with Inside Forwards, Outside Strikers higher providing depth & width.  Arrow/Pointed: Centre striker high and outside strikers working closer to the inside forwards.  Spinal/Central: All start central creating space in outside channels to lead in to.

8. Why use Variations?  Creates uncertainty in opposition.  Ability to play on an oppositions identified weakness.  Ability to shift from defensive focus to more attacking positions.

9. DEFENSE – Without the Ball - Pressing (WOB)  3 defenders mark opposition strikers  Coming from opposite end, marking from in front and must be in touch with opposite (IFIT); this stops their opposite from getting the ball, and also allows for possible counter attack.  4 th Defender (one of the fullbacks) is the free defender (sweeper):  The Sweeper protects the Hotline and the space in front of the marking defenders.  Sweeper works with the midfield.  Sweeper also controls the landing zone of opposition overheads from the back.

10. MIDFIELD – WOB Pressing  Centre half marks opposition centre half.  Inside forwards mark their direct opponents.  Generally mark from the inside and from behind.  Marking must be tight (must be able to touch).  Make the opposition receive under pressure, or make their opposite look as though they are unavailable to receive.

11. STRIKERS – WOB Pressing  Pointed/Arrow shape  If opposition FB takes free hit centre striker takes the mark (5 from the ball).  Outside strikers are responsible for opposition outside halves. Must protect the inside channel but must also be flat/90 degrees to halves (don’t let opposition halves in behind).  If opposition halves take the free hit Outside strikers take the mark, centre strikers deny the ball from going back and around.

12. PRESSING VARIATION  Fall Away Press  Save shape as Pointed/Arrow, but bring whole team back to near the half way line.  Keeps the whole team closer together and more compact.  Patience is essential.  Makes the opposition force the play, possible poor passes and turnovers.

13. KEY POINTS  Keep pressure on the ball.  Want to win the ball off the opposition in their defensive half.  Force the opposition to move the ball to where you want it to go (think “where do they least want the ball?”).  Patience and Moving as a Unit is Key, must hold shape as a group.