High-Pressure Clear and Counter
Clearing
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Clear the ball under intense opponent pressure and immediately transition into a team counterattack.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- cones
- goals
Your focus
Advanced clearances must connect to the team's counterattacking structure. Training the clear-and-counter sequence improves tactical integration of defensive and offensive phases. High pressure from multiple opponents creates realistic game stress that develops composure.
Set up a 40x30-yard area with goals at each end; 3 defenders vs 4 attackers in the defensive half.
Attackers press hard; defenders must win the ball and clear to two midfielders waiting at the halfway line.
If the clear reaches the midfielders, they immediately attack the opposite goal (3v2 counter).
Reset after each attempt; rotate roles every 5 minutes.
Goal
You're doing it right when your clear under pressure immediately triggers a counterattack, the ball doesn't just leave the zone, it lands somewhere useful.
Helpful cues
- Clear to a teammate, not just away
- Call for the ball before you clear
- Transition your mind from defense to attack instantly
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Reduce to 3v3 with no pressing restriction.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Defenders must clear within 5 seconds of winning the ball.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.