Hard Hat Scrimmage
Attitude
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Reinforce a hardworking attitude by awarding points for effort-based actions, not just goals, in a scrimmage.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- pinnies
- cones
Your focus
Scoring for effort behaviors (tracking back, winning 50/50 balls, communicating) teaches players that attitude is a performance skill. When coaches notice and reward the process, players internalize a growth mindset about their role. Small-sided format keeps everyone active and observable.
Set up a 30x25-yard small-sided game (small-sided activity) with small goals.
Assign 1 point for a goal and 1 point for any of: fastest player to track back, winning a 50/50 tackle, verbal encouragement after a mistake.
Coach tracks and announces effort points live during the game.
Debrief after the game: who earned the most effort points and why?
Helpful cues
- Effort points are always in your control
- Be the hardest-working player on the pitch
- Celebrate teammates' effort points too
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Give players effort point cards to self-report.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Remove goal points entirely, effort points are the only currency.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.