Hockey outletting principles

Outletting

The term outletting, also known as 'let outs', refers to the pathways which a team uses to move the ball from defense and transition into attack. Teams with a good outletting practice are particularly dangerous as they have the ability to quickly turn a defensive 16 yard hit into an attacking opportunity. A team which you can watch do this particularly well, is the Australian "kookaburras" men's hockey team, who have very fluid movement throughout their midfield and are quick to move out of their defense and into an attacking opportunity.

Outletting principles

Goals of the drill
-Teach the movements of basic outletting
-Understanding re-adjustment principles, ball pace and transfer basics

Setting up the drill
-Set up as shown above

Process
-The back 4 will transfer the ball, utilising cut-out passes
-Throughout the transfer, the coach will call a colour, and the defensive group must transfer the ball to a position which can attack through that goal as quickly as possible
-Immediately restart the process

Important notes
-It is important to ensure your group are focused on their re-adjustment
-For advanced groups, it isn't necessary to have the cones to remind them of positioning
-Allow them to move more freely

Overlapping halves

Goals of the drill
-Teaching inside forwards their roll in outletting
-Practicing defensive transfer, re-adjustment and transferring
-Develop the winghalf's ability to over-lap and inject themselves into a more attacking position

Setting up the drill
-Set up as shown above

Process
-The inside forward will lead from cone A to cone B
-While this happens, the Full back will either pass to the leading inside forward, or to the wide Half
-If the half receives the ball, they deliver it through a goal up the sideline
-If the Inside forward receives the ball, they deliver it to the over-lapping half who sends it through the sideline goal, or transfers the ball back to the opposite full back

Important notes
-It is important for the inside forward to demand the ball as they lead, if they don't look dangerous they are far less likely to compress the opposition press
-All players need to be prepared to react in case of a turnover

Full field outletting

Goals of the drill
-Teaching inside forwards movements which allow long outletting passes to strikers
-Leading patterns for strikers to quickly and effectively move into attack
-Developing the half and inside forward's ability to move into attack

Setting up the drill
-Set up as shown above

Process
-The inside forward will lead from the yellow cones, arcing towards the yellow gate
-As this happens, a striker will lead from the green cone through green gates, while the other striker leads from the red cone and through the red gates, timing their leads as to not arrive early
-The drill is designed to be entirely free moving, with the full back having the option to go to his inside forward, half, wide striker, or the opportunity to utilise an aerial to get the ball to the center striker

Important notes
-It is important for the inside forward to demand the ball as they lead
-Remind your half and fullback of their re-adjustment, this is free flowing and it may be that the inside forward looks to dump the ball out
-Remember that the importance of the arc lead is to ensure that the opposing inside forward also leads out of the space for the ball through to the striker

Coming soon

*3 at the back
*3 at the back during a fall away
*5 at the back during a fall away
*Working out of corners during a full press
*Over lapping wing halves

Outletting against a fall away press

Goals of the drill
-Learning how to respond to a fall away press
-Focusing on inside forwards compressing the fall away press to open up attacking opportunities

Setting up the drill
-Set up the drill as shown above
-If a mid field player receives the ball inside the central rectangle, they cannot move with it

Process
-One team starts with the ball at the 25, with the other team holding at a fall away press
-The attacking team's midfield will lead within the box in an attempt to get the ball and move it to an attacking position
-Or to compress the press by appearing dangerous so the team can attack through the halves
-Once beating the press, they will play on and attack the goal

Important notes
-It is important for the mid field to look deliberate in their movement to ensure the press move towards them
-Remember that to compress a fall away press it is important to move in and out of it quickly

Outletting games

Goals of the drill
-The goal of this drill is to successfully out let the ball and attain attacking possession
-Practicing the basics learned in the previous out letting drills
-Creating a competitive environment forcing players to make out letting decisions under pressure

Setting up the drill
-Set up the gates as shown above

Process
-The ball will begin with a full back on the 16 yard line
-This is a free flowing drill, with the objective of the defensive team to control the ball through one of the attacking gates
-The attacking team is attempting to dispossess and attack the goal

Important notes
-Important for the defensive group to be prepared to react for turn over situations