Introduce the basic principles of attacking and defending so players understand what to do when their team has possession and when the opposition has possession.
By the end of this block, players should:
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Review | 5 min |
| Attacking Principles | 10 min |
| Defensive Principles (1 vs 1) | 10 min |
| Game | 45 min |
| Wrap-up | 5 min |
Refresh the individual skills developed in Block 2 before introducing attacking and defensive concepts.
Players demonstrate:
Today's session is about using individual skills to become a better attacker and defender.
Understand what to do when your team has possession.
Place a line of markers on the bottom of the pool approximately 1.5 ft apart.
Weave Through Markers
Swim two lengths weaving through the markers while controlling the puck.
Scan
Repeat for two lengths while using peripheral vision to control the puck.
Pass
Pair up and swim two lengths continuously passing to one another while moving forward.
Players without the puck are just as important as the puck carrier. Encourage continuous movement to provide passing options and maintain possession.
Learn how to maintain possession while attacking.
Foundation Badges Supported: Supportive Play
Groups of three swim two lengths.
Encourage players to recognise that passing, curling, and carrying the puck are all tools for maintaining possession. Players should begin choosing the best option rather than always carrying the puck.
Understand what to do when the opposition has possession while introducing basic 1 vs 1 attacking and defending.
Foundation Badges Supported: Individual Positioning
The attacker begins with the puck.
The defender starts between the attacker and the goal.
The attacker attempts to:
The defender attempts to:
Rotate roles after each repetition so every player attacks and defends.
Defending is not chasing the puck.
Defending is protecting space, slowing the attack, and winning possession under control.
Apply today's attacking and defensive principles during game play.
When Attacking
When Defending
Allow play to flow with minimal interruptions.
Pause only to reinforce key principles or address safety concerns.
Encourage players to make their own decisions and learn through the game.
Reinforce that successful teams support one another when attacking and protect space when defending.
Ask players:
Finish with:
Every player has a role, whether your team has the puck or not. Successful teams move forward together when attacking, protect the goal together when defending, and maintain possession through good decision-making.
A successful Block 3 means players: