Switch Play Passing Under Pressure
Passing
Legend
- player
- defender
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Practice switching the point of attack using long hit passes while under pressure from a pressing defender.
What you need
- field hockey sticks
- field hockey ball
- cones
- pinnies
Your focus
Switching play is a game-changing skill that requires long passing accuracy under pressure. Defenders who press the ball must be beaten by a quick, accurate switch. Players who can switch play in practice are more decisive and accurate when they do it in games.
Set up a 40-yard wide passing exercise; ball starts on the left with a presser closing.
Ball carrier must switch the ball to a wide right player before the presser arrives.
Right player collects and continues to goal.
Run 12 reps from each side; evaluate accuracy and timing of the switch.
Goal
You've got it when your switch pass beats the press and lands accurately to the far side, not looping over, cutting through clean.
Helpful cues
- Get the ball onto your hitting angle early
- Switch before the pressure arrives, not after
- Weight the pass for your teammate's running pace
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Presser is passive, doesn't time the closure.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Two pressers; must switch over a greater distance.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.