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SOUTH AFRICAN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION - COACHING

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THE FOLLOWING PAPER WAS PRESENTED BY Giles Bonnet AT THE RECENT FIH FINAL COACHING COURSE.

THE DEFENSE OF THE BACKHAND HIT ON GOAL
Why the need to develop a defense for the backhand hit?
- There are many goals scored through the backhand goal shot.
- In the past defenders used to channel the attacker to his weak left side.
- Now there is no weak side and defenders need to learn techniques to defend both sides equally well.

Why is it difficult to defend?
- The ball is well protected by the attackers body position.
- There is a danger of being hit by the ball and stick and the defenders hold off the tackle or at the final stage pull out.
- The goalkeeper finds it difficult to read the direction of the shot due to fact that it is off the edge of the stick and the lack of the traditional set up which leads to the element of surprise.

The Backhand defense options
(1) Preventing the ball from being received;
(2) The backhand defense technique of the jab tackle
(3) The backhand defense technique of the second defender

(1) Preventing the ball from being received;
One of the fundamental defense options is to prevent the ball being received by the attacker in and around the circle area. The defender is able to achieve this by; encompassing the following;

- Zonal defense
- Ability to disrupt the pass
- Side or front mark attacker
- Interceptions of the pass

(2) The backhand defense technique of the jab tackle
The jab tackle by the inside marking defender on the attacker.
Once the attacker carries the ball into an area in which the backhand shot is an option, the defender is required to consider his defense of this position; It is necessary to consider the jab tackle from the inside defender.

Description of the proposed defense
The defender needs to get himself level with the attacker, and his head needs to be as close as possible to the shoulder of the attacker. At the moment that the attacker pulls his stick back, the defender makes the jab tackle. It is preferable that he make this jab tackle with the stick in his right hand.
The idea behind the use of the right hand is to allow the player to simulate the same 'body language ' as the attacker, and to be able to close his body off from the danger of the follow through. He is able to achieve this by shadowing the attackers stance and flattening his body against that off the attacker.

The defender needs to watch the ball, keep his head close to the shoulder of the attacker. His timing is critical with the jab tackle.

The Progression & Methodology whilst training the defense of the backhand hit
It is important to stress the fact that the defenders need to gain in confidence in this technique and that his perception is one of extreme danger when initially viewing the task.
It also needs to be stated that I have only used this on elite athletes and have no first hand knowledge of the dangers of introducing this at a junior level.
- Defender shoots in a standing position, defender stays level with the attacker.
- Initially defender starts with out a stick, following the movement of the attacker to build his confidence in the technique
- He progresses too jabbing the ball whilst in a stationery position at first and then walking and finally running with the attacker, while completing the jab tackle.
- The introduction of a feeder and other defenders and attackers complete the progression.

(3) The backhand defense technique of the second defender
Once the attacker carries the ball into an area in which the backhand shot is an option and the second defender identifies an opportunity to make a play, he is able to consider the following options;
At the moment the attacker pulls his stick back, a second defender from inside the circle attempts to;
- Backhand low sweep the ball
- Jab ball against the attackers foot
- Lifts the ball over the stick, high backhand sweep.
- Block the ball with the flat backhand.

Physical & technical requirements
- Technical Skill
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Timing
- Courage

A defender with good positioning play, forces the attacker in the direction he wants. He requires the following requirements; the courage to jab, the skills and timing to jab, or the sweep technique if coming from inside the circle. Another condition is the requirement for a second defender who also has similar skills and timing as well. It is also important that the space between the two defenders is reduced.

Consequence of the defense techniques of the Jab and the Second defender.
Jab tackle
- The defender who jab tackles continues towards the ball and clears it out of the circle.
- Alternatively the second defender needs to step up and intercept the ball
- Cover defense need to be aware of the implications of the backhand Jab defense and anticipates the possible plays.

Second defender
- The same defender follows up the sweep and controls the ball
- The defender plays the ball with the jab against the attackers foot for the free hit.
- The defender uses the high backhand to lift the ball over the attackers stick and retrieves this ball himself.
- The defender looks to block the hit with a low reverse block tackle and then attempts to win the loose ball.

Possible reaction by the attacker Reaction to the Jab tackle;
The attacker may anticipate that the defender is over committed on the backhand shot and be able to adjust accordingly, he could effect the following

Fake move with stick and step, spin out of the movement and take a front stick shot at goal.

Reaction to the movement of the second defender;
Alternatively the attacker may notice the second defender moving towards him and effect the following;
Fake move with the stick and pass the ball with the backhand to the second attacker once the second defender steps up.

The Impact of the Backhand Defense
Just as one is able to defend the front side shot at goal, the backhand shot at goal should be able to be defended equally as successfully.

NATIONAL COACH EDUCATION/ACCREDITATION

The National Coaching Scheme of South African Hockey Association (SAHA) has recently been updated to conform with the Protea Mmuso programme of the National Sports Council (NSC) of South Africa. Protea Mmuso is a training programme for coaches, administrators and technical officials. It has 5 levels - Sports Leader up to Level 4 - see figure 1.

All National Sports Council registered sports have standardised coaching courses to fit in with the abovementioned outline. For SA Hockey it does mean a fairly dramatic change. Previously the highest level coach used to be a Grade 1 award. This order has been reversed and the highest award is a Level 4 award. The course design policy also coincides with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) certification path. A broad overview of the National Coaching Scheme structure in its new perspective is as follows:

FIGURE 1

New NCS Courses	Present Structure	FIH Structure
Sports Leaders	Grade 5
Level 1	Grade 4	Solidarity
Level 2	Grade 3
Level 3	Grade 2
Level 4	Grade 1	FIH Coach, FIH Grade 1 Coach, FIH Master Coach

The following manuals would have been produced as resources for the 5 Levels of the National Coaching Scheme:

- Bantwana Mini Manual
- Sports Leader
- Intermediate Coaching Manual

Coaching courses are part of the broader education process and the accent has moved to a competency/outcomes based approach i.e. it is not the knowledge that is important, but how the coach can pass the knowledge on to the players. There is a shift from what a coach knows to what the coach can do. It is hoped that this approach will produce more positive, practical and interactive coaches.

Brief overview of courses:

Sports leaders

This course is offered as an introduction to the sport and is primarily aimed at school coaches and parents. The course is 4 - 6 hours in duration and provides information in all three components: coaching, officiating and administration. This is because most coaches involved at this level will tend to be involved in a little of each. Mini hockey is included as an optional module.

Level 1

The Level 1 course is a basic guide, which provides training for club and school coaches. The course is 6 - 8 hours in duration which includes an assessment of 1 hour. The practical coaching experience required before entry into this course is a minimum of one season or 30 hours. Topics that are emphasised in the course are: planning of a training session; coaching of the 5 basic skills of hockey and an introduction to the basic tactical concepts.

Level 2
This course is divided into two sections; general coaching principles and hockey specific principles. The General Principle section is to equip the coach with the relevant sport sciences and their application to hockey coaching. This course, run in the Provinces by the National Sports Council, is 10 hours in duration and includes subjects like, sport psychology, coaching methodology, training methods and physiology.

The Hockey Level 2 course is aimed at the provincial coaches at youth, U21 and senior levels. It is 8 -10 hours in duration and emphasise position specific advanced skills and tactics. The coach is required to conduct a training session and present tactical concepts as well as complete an assessment form. Practical coaching experience required for entry into this course is a minimum of 2 seasons or 60 hours.

Level 3
This course is an advanced course to assist coaches who work with National teams or coaches identified by the Coaching Committee who have the potential to become National coaches at all age groups. These candidates will work under the supervision of the High Performance Manager and selected mentor coaches over a period of at least one season.

Level 4
This is an FIH accreditation and can only be obtained at a FIH final coaching course. Candidates for this level are nominated by SAHA and the FIH require that these coaches are involved in coaching national teams.

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