Channel and Tackle Circuit
Defense
Legend
- player
- defender
- cones
- ball
How it works
Practice the two-step defensive skill of channeling an attacker toward the sideline and then tackling at the right moment.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- cones
Your focus
Channeling before tackling is a core defensive principle that reduces risk and increases tackle success. Players who channel correctly take away the attacker's best options before committing to the tackle. Linking the two skills teaches the full defensive sequence.
Set up a 15x10-yard channel with sideline markers; attacker starts with ball at one end.
Defender channels attacker toward the sideline using body position (no tackling yet).
Once the attacker is within 2 yards of the sideline, defender executes a tackle.
Score 1 point for successful channel and 1 point for successful tackle; 10 reps.
Goal
Success is channeling the attacker to the sideline first, then making the tackle at the right moment, not before, not after.
Helpful cues
- Channel with your body, not your stick
- Angle yourself to cut off the middle
- Tackle when the ball is away from their stick, not when they're shielding
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Channel only, no tackle required.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Attacker can attempt to reverse direction at any point.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.