Basics in coaching

Many coaches (particularly at higher school and club levels) seem to forget the value of coaching basics to their players.

Instead the interest seems to be on developing horrificly complicated short (penalty) corners or set pieces.

While these do have some merit (when they can actually be executed properly), many sides suffer from not having good solid basics that allows them to pick up a ball on either front or back (weak) sticks.

Until your players can make and receive 5-10 metre passes, your chances of being consistent and being able to execute many of the expansive set pieces you have developed will be nullified. Focus on the basics and you will open up your level of play and success enormously.

Spend time during practice, irrespective of level of player, reinforcing and demanding a high level of basic hit / stop / pass execution while static and then on the move. When these skills are developed, then you can start looking at the set pieces.