DRAGONS
West Devonport Hockey Club  •  Season 2026

U16 TEAM PLAYBOOK

Simple  •  Fun  •  Us
Version 1  |  Season 2026
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01

OUR IDENTITY

SIMPLE  •  FUN  •  US

Your three rules define the whole program.

1
Do the simple things well Trap. Pass. Move.
2
If we're not having fun, we're doing it wrong
3
Focus on us Effort. Improvement. Teamwork.
"We don't worry about the other team. We worry about doing our job well."
02

OUR STYLE

SIMPLE HOCKEY WINS
TRAP
→
PASS
→
MOVE
TRAP
Control the ball first.
PASS
Use simple push passes.
MOVE
Create options for teammates.
Hockey is a passing game.
03

OUR TEAM SHAPE

3 – 3 – 3 + SWEEPER
LW
CF
RW
LM
CM
RM
LB
CB
RB
SW
GK
Forwards Create chances and pressure defenders.
Midfield Connect defence and attack.
Defence Stop attacks early.
Sweeper Last defender and calm passer.
04

HOW OUR SHAPE MOVES

SAME SHAPE  •  DIFFERENT ANGLE

We do not chase as individuals. When the ball moves, our whole 3–3–3 + Sweeper shape moves together.

WE HAVE THE BALL
ATTACKING HALF PRESS
LW
CF
RW
LM
CM
RM
LB
CB
RB
SW
GK
MAKE IT BIG
When we have the ball, we stretch the field. Wingers stay wide, midfield gives passing options, backs spread out, and the sweeper gives us a safe reset.
Big when we have it
Ball moves. We move.
Box the side. Block the middle.
Red = press the ball side
Green = step up and clog the middle
Gold = hold and block inside
Sweeper = safety behind the press
1
Central ball = arrowheadProtect the middle first. Be ready to jump left or right together.
2
Ball side trapsThe sideline is part of the press. Push them toward it and close the space.
3
Far side locks the doorFar-side players step up and in. They cut off the transfer and clog the middle.
4
Sweeper coversThe sweeper stays behind the block, reads the long ball, and keeps everyone calm.
"We are not chasing. We are closing the exits."
05

OUR GOLDEN RULE

AFTER YOU PASS → MOVE
1
Player A passes
2
Player B traps
3
Player B passes
4
Player B moves into space
Standing still makes hockey hard.
Movement makes hockey easy.
06

OUR DEFENSIVE RULE

STAY GOALSIDE
GOAL
↓
DEFENDER
↓
ATTACKER
Always stay between your player and the goal.

This keeps our defence organised.

07

GOALKEEPER ANGLES

STEP OUT  •  GET BIG  •  CLOSE THE CONE

A keeper does not need to charge. A small controlled step forward can make the goal feel much smaller.

KEEPER ON THE LINE
GOAL
GK
ATK
Less goal to aim at
TOO MUCH GOAL
If the keeper stays on the line, the attacker can see more of the goal. They get more space to pick a corner, because apparently attackers enjoy being given gifts.
STEP OUT
GET BALANCED
STAY BIG
Keeper rule: Do not charge. Come out under control, stay low, stay balanced, and be ready to move left or right.
08

INSIDE LEVERAGE

THE SIDELINE IS YOUR TEAMMATE

When defending near the sideline, use it. The line does your job for you on one side.

SIDELINE
ATK
DEF
Force
this way →
✕ Blocked
by line
Tap the attacker to see the principle in action
1
Get inside the attacker Position yourself between the attacker and the centre of the field — not between them and the sideline.
2
Force them towards the line Your body angle pushes the attacker sideways. The sideline has nowhere to go. Let the line do the work.
3
Stay patient — don't lunge Hold your shape. If you dive in, they spin back inside. Stay between them and goal until they step out.
4
Win the ball or win the line Either they lose the ball trying to beat you, or they step out. Both are a win for your team.
WRONG
Defender gets outside the attacker — now the attacker can cut inside and attack the goal with space.
RIGHT
Defender gets inside the attacker — the sideline traps them. Two defenders for the price of one.
You + the sideline = two defenders.
09

SEE-SAW DEFENCE

BALL SIDE UP — WEAK SIDE IN

We defend as a team, not as individuals. When the ball moves — we all move.

BALL IN CENTRE
FWD
MID
DEF
SW
LW
CF
RW
LM
CM
RM
LB
CB
RB
SW
🟢 BALL SIDE
🟡 HOLD
🔵 WEAK SIDE
Ball side — Step up, apply pressure
Weak side — Tuck in, protect middle
Centre — Hold the line, stay balanced
🟢
BALL SIDE
"GO TO THE BALL"
  • Close space
  • Apply pressure
  • Slow them down
🟡
CENTRE
"HOLD THE LINE"
  • Stay balanced
  • Don't overcommit
  • Support both sides
🔵
WEAK SIDE
"PROTECT THE MIDDLE"
  • Tuck in
  • Stay compact
  • Don't stay wide
🧤
SWEEPER
"SEE EVERYTHING"
  • Cover mistakes
  • Stay central
  • Be the calmest player
  • Talk constantly

Golden Rules

✔ Stay connected
✔ Don't chase
✔ Protect the middle
✔ Talk early

Game Calls

BALL SIDE UP!
TUCK IN!
HOLD!
GOALSIDE!
"We defend space, not people."
10

OUR ATTACKING RULE

USE THE WINGS
WING
↑
CENTRE
Midfield
support
WING
↑

When we win the ball:

1
Look wide
2
Pass early
3
Attack space
Wide space gives us time.
11

COMMUNICATION

TALK

Important calls:

TIME
MAN ON
LEFT
RIGHT
MINE
The goalkeeper is the loudest player on the field.
12

TRAINING GAMES

WE LEARN THROUGH GAMES
Gate Passing Skill: Passing Accuracy
Player A → Gate → Player B. Focus on clean, accurate push passes through the gate.
Triangle Passing Skill: Pass & Move
A at top, B and C at base. Pass around the triangle and move to the next position.
Chaos Dribbling Skill: Ball Control & Awareness
Players dribble inside a square, avoiding each other while maintaining control.
10 Pass Challenge Skill: Team Passing
Teams complete 10 passes in a row without losing the ball. Celebrate together!
13

GAME DAY

Before every match we focus on three things.

1
TRAP THE BALL
2
PASS WIDE
3
TALK TO EACH OTHER
That's enough. Keep hockey simple.
14

TEAM LEADERS

WE HAVE FOUR LEADERS
🏆
CAPTAIN
Encourages the team. Sets the tone on and off the field.
🛡️
DEFENSIVE LEADER
Organises the defence. Communicates shape and positioning.
⚡
MIDFIELD LEADER
Keeps the team moving. Links defence to attack.
🔥
ENERGY LEADER
Brings enthusiasm. Lifts the team when it's tough.

Leadership rotates during the season.

15

PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION

IMPROVE EVERY WEEK
Week 1–2
Better ball control.
Week 3–4
Better passing.
Week 5–6
Better team shape.
Week 7+
Better communication and decision making.

Every training we try to improve one thing.

16

OUR TEAM STANDARD

WHAT MAKES A GREAT TEAMMATE
Encourages others
Works hard
Listens
Supports the team
Has fun
Remember this above all else
Skill matters. But attitude matters more.