Field Hockey lesson plan

Jack Tubajon and Prabh Bains

March 27th/2013

Practice session date: March 27th/2013

Participants/Athletes: SPSC 2324 students

Name of the activity: Systems of play: 3-3-3-1 and 5-3-2

Duration: 25 minutes Objective: Learn to use the systems of play effectively

Description (athletic abilities to be trained; purpose; movements; types of effort; intensity; location;
etc.): The abilities that will be trained are agility, decision making, anticipating the play, quick
movement, using space effectively, and being able to work effectively with teammates. The intensity for
the activities will be high and quick paced on the field.

Directions/guidelines to give to the participants/athletes:

3-3-3-1-1

The 3-3-3-1 systems consists of

3 forwards

3 midfielders

3 backs

1 sweeper
 The 3-3-3-1 system is one of the most widely used alignments in field hockey. There are 3
forwards who are free to run anywhere to create width and depth in order to produce disorder in
defenses that play zone, man to man, or matchup zone. There are 3 midfielders, the two outside
fielders support the offense on attack and provide a line of defense in front of the backs. The center
midfielder has the freedom to move laterally or even to overlap on attack which creates more space for
an attack. Midfielders must transition from offense to defense and vice versa. Then there are 3 Backs
who usually mark opponents in the midfield and defensive region. The 3 backs jobs are to make sure the
opposing offense doesn’t score. Last is the sweeper helps out all 3 backs and doesn’t have a man to
man mark.

5-3-2-1 system

The 5-3-2 lineup is as follows:

Three Forwards: Left, Centre, Right

Two Inners: Left and Right

Three Midfielders: Left, Centre, Right

Two Defenders: Left and Right

The lineup is strongly weighted towards the offense. There are five forwards; three forwards and two
inner forwards. The forwards are the primary scorers and they spend most of their time between the
mid field and opponent’s goal. The inners act as both the offensive midfield and forward lines. They
control the plays made in the blitz zone (between the 25 yard line and the centre line) and they support
the three other forwards. The midfielders must be able to play both offense and defense but they are
more defensive minded and their role is to clear any balls out of the defense (between the defensive 25
yard line and the end line) and challenge zones (between the centre line and the defensive 25 yard line).
The defenders or backs, cover the defensive zone, and they also attempt to clear the ball when it gets
close to the goal. Finally, the last line of defense is the goalie, whose job is to stop any shots.

Success criteria: If they play effectively as a team and produce goals.

Risk factors: Wear your mouth guard, shin pads to protect your legs and mouth. The field might be wet
so watch your step, you don’t want to slip.