As a coach it is your role to determine the manner in which your team will be positioned on the hockey field as a system to both attack and defend. There are different ways in which this can be done. The naming of these positions can vary according to the country and region you play in but essentially the placing of the team formations will be similar.
Traditionally grass field hockey teams played a 5-3-2-1 with 5 forwards, 3 half backs, 2 full backs and a goalkeeper. Then European nations moved to a 3-3-3-1-1 with a sweeper playing in front of a goalkeeper. The influence of different soccer playing systems became apparent. With the evolution of synthetic hockey fields came the experimentation and development of more playing systems.
So what is the best playing system? Coaches may argue as to what is best but the real consideration is that every playing system has a purpose that needs to be clearly thought out according to the playing ability of your team in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of individual players and the number of defenders/attacking players you have in your team. Additional coaching considerations when deciding on a playing system should be;
– The strengths and weaknesses of your opposition
– Your coaching philosophy
– Your playing strategies
Generally a player’s position is defined as a forward, midfielder, or defender. They may be left, centre or right, they may be high or deep. The following is an overview of different playing systems. When experimenting with a system a coach may consider;
What are the overall team attacking strategies?
What are the overall team defensive strategies?
What is the role of the individual player in attack and defense?
What is their playing zone in the field?
Who do they work in close association with?
What are the fitness requirements of the position?
What are the skills required in the position?
What other positions can they play?
How do I use my substitutions in this system?
What playing strategies do I use according to the system chosen?
The following is an outline of the more prevalent hockey systems. You need to map out on a hockey whiteboard the system you chose. Then account for the opposition’s possible playing system in view of your defending and attacking strategies.
5-3-2-1 System
Explanation: The 5-3-2-1 system is the traditional system of field hockey. Here there are equal number of forwards (5) and defenders (5) plus a goalkeeper.
Description: Of the 5 forwards 3 play higher ( left wing centre forward, right wing). Behind them is the other two forwards (left inside and right inside)Then 3 half backs (left, centre, right and then the two full backs (left and right or up and back-depending on their role). In this system the players generally stay in their positions.
3-3-3-1-1 System
3-forwards or strikers
3-midfielders
3-defenders
1-sweeper
1- goalkeeper
Explanation: When explaining a formation in hockey the first number represents the number of attacks, the second is the midfielder’s, the third is the defense, and sometimes a fourth number is used if the system involves a sweeper.
The 3-3-3-1-1 system is one of the most popular is field hockey. It originated from Holland, and uses a sweeper to cover any defensive errors made in front of them.
Description: This system requires quick and strong forwards that are comfortable on either side of the pitch. The three forwards are allowed to roam across the pitch to create space, diagonal runs are often successful in this formation.
The three midfielder’s must have a good level of stamina and skill and must be disciplined. The central midfielder has more freedom than the wide players as the central player is encouraged to break beyond the forward line when the opportunity arises. However this player is also expected to help out in defensive situations. The wide players in midfield use more of a man-to-man marking system to stop their opposing players finding space and time to receive the ball. However these players are also expected to support the forwards on attack.
The three defenders keep close to their opponents in the defensive half of the pitch to limit their opponents space and time on the ball. Communication between the defenders is important especially if their opponents often switch positions. Defenders can opt to man mark and pick up the same player all match or they can play positionally, staying in their starting position, and pick up players that move into their area of the pitch.
It is important that the sweeper can read the game well, and react to situations even before they occur. The sweepers main job is to cover the other defenders and retrieve loose balls. However because they do not have a player to mark they often have time and space to receive the ball and set up an attack for their team.
3-3-4-1 System
3-strikers
3-midfield
4-defenders
1 goalkeeper
Explanation: When explaining a formation in hockey the first number represents the number of attacks, the second is the midfielder’s, the third is the defense, and sometimes a fourth number is used if the system involves a sweeper.
The 3-3-4-1 system is good to use with a team of young and inexperienced players because this system spreads players over the pitch giving a team balance in both defensive and attacking situations. However this system can make a team stiff and lacking in new ideas, but they should be well organised.
Description: The three forward players have the same sort of role as the forwards in the 3-3-3-1-1 system However they may be a little more restricted depending on their abilities. It is important for the wing forwards to be quick, and accurate passers to set up goal scoring opportunities, and it is vital that the inside center forward knows the way to goal, and has confidence in their own scoring abilities.
The central midfield player is important in this system as they must be able to pass the ball well to set up attacks and tackle well to help out the defense. Being able to finish well would be an advantage for this player as they are allowed to break beyond the forward line. The wide midfielder’s have the same job as in the 3-3-4-1 system.
The defensive line of four players will mark the opposing teams forwards, which should leave one player free to pick up an advancing midfielder should there happen to be one. In this system defenders will normally stay in their starting positions and pick up the player that takes up a position in their area, rather than man-to-man mark a specific player. The backs on the left and right side should also offer themselves as another attacking option by making over-lapping runs appropriately.
2-4-4-1 System
2-high strikers
4-midfield
4-defenders
1-goalkeeper
Explanation: When explaining a formation in hockey the first number represents the number of attacks, the second is the midfielder’s, the third is the defense, and sometimes a fourth number is used if the system involves a sweeper.
Description: The 2-4-4-1 system is adapted from the 3-3-4-1 system to pack the midfield to provide a more solid defensive unit. Having four players in the midfield area reduces the space for opponents to play in making it harder for them to pass the ball, and easier to intercept.
When attacking in this formation one of the wide midfield players will usually join the forwards to increase the strength of attack, alongside one of the central midfielder’s. However these players must be able to get back into position quickly if the attack breaks down.
2-5-3-1 System
2-high strikers
5-midfielders
3-defenders
1-goalkeeper
Explanation: When explaining a formation in hockey the first number represents the number of attacks, the second is the midfielder’s, the third is the defense, and sometimes a fourth number is used if the system involves a sweeper.
Description: The 2-5-3-1 system is adapted from the 3-3-4-1 system to pack the midfield to provide a more solid defensive unit. Having five players in the midfield area reduces the space for opponents to play in making it harder for them to pass the ball, and easier to intercept.
When attacking in this formation both of the wide midfielder’s may join up with the forwards to increase the attacking options, whilst still leaving a solid base of midfield and defense to deal with a break from opponents. A variation of this would be to have one wide midfield player and one of the central midfield players join up with the attack, and getting the other midfield players to shift along to cover the void left by the attacking midfielder’s.
As long as there is some cover for the defense, and the midfield players are prepared to work up and down it doesn’t matter which midfielder’s attack, but play to the teams and individual players strengths.
Source: various
