WIDER PENALTY CORNER ATTACK

Difficulty Ages 12+ for boys; 11+ for girls Use of Different Routines in Attacking Penalty Corners Because penalty corners provide teams with an excellent opportunity to score, teams with a variety of well-executed penalty corner routines can use them to their advantage in order to get on the score sheet. Teams should plan the roles individuals will assume within different penalty corner routines & should practice both attacking & defending skills during penalty corners in order to make the most of them during games. In this section, 3 different penalty corner attack routines will be discussed, though penalty corners are not just limited to just these 3. Teams should adapt & design penalty corner routines to best suit their players & exploit their opposition s weaknesses.

The stick stopper & potential striker / slip players

The ball being injected

The Straight Strike The injector passes the ball to the stick stopper who pushes the ball into position for the striker. If the stick stopper mistraps the ball, then a back up player, standing off the circle, is positioned to pick up any loose balls & play them back into the circle. At the same point as the ball is injected, the player running onto the right-hand post starts their run. After injecting the ball, the injector moves onto the left-hand post looking to use their extended stick to deflect the ball into the goal. Once the stick stopper has received the ball & moved it into place for the striker, the striker steps forward & hits the ball towards the goal: hitting the ball towards either the left or the right-hand post allows for the goals to be widened because of their stick extension. The players running at the posts have the responsibility of deflecting the first shot into the goal & capitalising on any 2nd phase (rebounds) balls. Alternatively, the striker could aim to place the ball directly into space within the goal. If the 1st phase of attack is defended, all players move into positions in order to mount a 2nd phase of attack (also known as rebounds).

The Straight Strike Injector Stick Stopper Striker Rebounds Left Right Post Back Up Injects the ball to the stick stopper & ensures their injection pass is on target. Moves into position on the left post to deflect phase 1 shots from the striker. Picks up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the left-hand area of the circle close to the goal mouth. Effectively receives the 1st pass from the injector. Pushes the ball into position for the striker to hit the ball. Moves into position to cover the space around the penalty spot in order to pick up any rebound balls from the goalkeeper or defending players in order to capitalise on phase 2 attack. Strikes the ball effectively at the goal, aiming at space within the goal or playing the ball towards the posts in order for post players to deflect the ball into the goal. Moves into position at the top of the circle in order to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Moves into position near the top of the circle to the left-hand side ready to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Runs towards the right-hand post as quickly as possible, beginning the run as the ball is injected, in order to deflect the ball into the goal should the 1st shot on goal be targeted towards the right post. Picks up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the right-hand area of the circle, close to the goal mouth. Receives the ball, should the ball be mis-trapped by the stick stopper. Once the ball is received, this player either continues to play & pass the ball to the striker or adjusts the routine in order to keep possession within the circle, e.g. the backup player may choose to take the ball into the circle & strike themselves. Whether the back up player is required to receive the ball or not, they move into position near the top of the circle towards the right-hand side ready to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack.

The Straight Strike At lower club & / or school level, when the striker is shooting towards either post, they are likely to shoot directly at the posts or just inside the goal in order for post players to make contact with the ball. Within higher leagues & at International Level the striking player would look to place the ball slightly wide of the posts with their strike in order for post players to make contact & deflect the ball into the goal. Advantages of this Technique A fast injection & quick hit at the goal can catch the defending team off guard before they have time to get set into their positions. A hard hit towards either the left or right-hand post could enable the post runners to effectively deflect the ball into the goal. Deflections made on the left & right-hand posts are difficult for opposition players to defend. A team which is good at the 2nd phase of attack (rebounds) can take advantage of any balls which may rebound off the goalkeeper or other defending players by having quick reactions. Disadvantages of this Technique If the goalkeeper makes a good initial save & defending players are well positioned & react quickly to any rebounds then they could gain possession of the ball & clear it out of the circle effectively. Strikers who always hit hard towards the same target area (e.g. the centre) are less likely to score as opposed to those strikers who understand that placement can be more effective than power. Identifying unmarked space within the goal will enable the striker to better place their shot. Strikers who are able to hit the ball towards the posts can sometimes be hindered if post running players do not reach the post in time to deflect the ball into the goal. This can result in the ball going off the back line from the initial strike, which is the best scenario for a defending team. Players running onto the posts need to ensure that they time their run well arriving into the space to provide the deflection as the ball travels into position. As this player makes their run they should do so with their stick in front of them close to or on the ground so they are prepared to make contact with the ball & it provides them with a greater reach.

The Straight Strike Players ensure that there are players to pick up rebounds close to the goal & around the penalty spot, plus players around the outside of the circle in order to pick up any rebounds which travel a further distance. Below, possible shooting options for post players are demonstrated, however the striker could chose to strike directly into the goal.

The Slip Right The injector passes the ball to the stick stopper, who receives the ball & pushes it into position to their left, as if positioning it for the player on their left to take a straight strike. At the same point as the ball is being injected, the player running onto the right-hand post starts their run ready to deflect the ball into the goal. After injecting the ball, the injector moves onto the left-hand post looking to use their extended stick to deflect the ball into the goal. The player on the left of the stick stopper who receives the ball does not strike the ball at goal but pushes the ball to their right-hand side towards the right slip who has moved into position. This left-hand player can use their body & stick to add deception to the push. The slip player either slaps, drags or hits the ball towards the goal. By aiming towards the left or the right posts the player can look to widen the goals. The players running at the posts have the purpose of deflecting the 1st shot into the goal & to pick up any rebounds & therefore support 2nd phase attack. If the 1st phase of attack is defended, all players move into positions in order to pick up any rebounds & mount the 2nd phase of attack.

Injector Stick Stopper Player passing to the Slip Right Slip Far Left Right Post Wider Penalty Corner Attack Skills The Slip Right Injects the ball to the stick stopper & ensures their injection pass is on target. Moves into position on the left post to deflect phase one shots from the striker. Pick up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the left-hand area of the circle close to the goal mouth. Effectively receives the first pass from the injector. Push the ball into position for the striker to hit the ball. Move into position to cover the space around the penalty spot in order to pick up any rebound balls from the goalkeeper or defending players in order to capitalise on phase 2 attack. Receives the ball from the stick stopper. Passes the ball across the circle from the left-hand side to the right slip player. Moves into position near top of the circle on left-hand side ready to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Receives the ball on their open stick from the player passing the ball from the left-hand side of the circle. Controls the ball quickly & identifies where the defence are positioned & where best to place the first shot on goal. Hits, slaps or drags the ball towards the identified target. Moves into position towards the top of the circle in order to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Runs towards the penalty spot & assists with picking up any rebounds which may come from the goalkeeper or defender in order to assist with phase 2 attack. Runs towards the right-hand post as quickly as possible as the ball is injected in order to deflect the ball into the goal should the 1st shot go towards the right post. Picks up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the right-hand area of the circle close to the goal mouth.

The Slip Right Advantages of this Technique When executed correctly this technique can be deceptive making it difficult for the opposition to defend. The 1st pass from the stick stopper to the player passing to the slip will draw defensive focus towards the left-hand side of the circle as opposed to the right-hand side. Teams which are able to time this routine correctly are most likely to be successful. With the initial pass to the left, defenders will be drawn towards this player in order to intercept the ball. This should leave space on the right-hand side of the circle which enables the slip player to have a good shot on goal into space. A slip player with a fast, accurate slap / hit can place the ball wide onto the left / right posts in order for post players to deflect the initial shot into goal. The original deception of passing the ball to the left-hand player should move all defending players to the left. If the slip player makes the initial shot towards the right-hand side of the goal they will most likely find that this side has the most space into which to shoot. This set play allows players who are not involved with the receiving & passing of the ball at the top of the circle to move quickly into positions in order to be ready to pick up any rebounds (2nd phase of attack). Disadvantages of this Technique If the routine is performed too slowly, defenders will have time to adjust their movements in order to close attackers down before the slip pass can be made, e.g. if player on left holds onto the ball for too long, then they risk the pass to the slip player being easily intercepted. If the slip player takes too long taking their shot on goal, they give defenders the opportunity to close them down & adjust their positioning. This could be the case if the slip player receives the ball badly or has a poor 1st touch of the ball. Strikers who are able hit the ball hard but always aim towards the same target when shooting (e.g. the centre) are less likely to score as those who understand that placement can be more effective than power. Identifying unmarked space within the goal is absolutely vital. Strikers who are able to hit the ball towards the posts can sometimes be hindered if post running players do not reach the post in time to deflect the ball into the goal. This can result in the ball going off the back line from the initial strike which is the best scenario for a defending team. Players running onto the posts need to ensure that they time their run well arriving into the space to provide the deflection as the ball travels into position. As this player makes their run they should do so with their stick in front of them close to or on the ground so they are prepared to make contact with the ball & it provides them with a greater reach.

The Slip Right Figure 1: Starting positions & injection being made Figure 2: Stick stop, slip & possible strike options towards deflection players The striker hits the ball towards either the left or right post

The Slip Right Players ensure that there are players to pick up rebounds close to the goal & around the penalty spot, plus players around the outside of the circle in order to pick up any rebounds which travel a further distance.

Double Slip Left The injector passes the ball to the stick stopper, who pushes the ball into position for the striker. If the stick stopper mistraps the ball, then a back up player, standing off the circle is positioned to pick up any loose balls & play them back into the circle. At the same point as the ball is injected, the player running onto the right-hand post starts their run. After injecting the ball, the injector moves onto the left-hand post looking to use their extended stick to deflect the ball into the goal. Once the stick stopper has received the ball, they push it towards the player closest to them on their left. This player acts as a dummy player; they will make movements so it appears as if they are going to strike the ball, however they will deliberately step over the ball & allow it to travel onto the next player on their left. The real striker moves into position in order to hit the ball. Hitting the ball towards either the left or the right-hand post allows for the goals to be widened. The players running at the posts have the responsibility of deflecting the 1st shot into the goal & capitalising on any 2nd phase (rebound) balls. Alternatively, the striker could aim to place the ball directly into space within the goal. If the 1st phase of attack is defended, all players move into positions in order to mount a 2nd phase of attack (rebounds).

Injector Stick Stopper Dummy Left Striker Back up Right Post Wider Penalty Corner Attack Skills Double Slip Left Injects the ball to the stick stopper & ensures their injection pass is on target. Moves into position on the left post to deflect phase one shots from the striker. Picks up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the left-hand area of the circle close to the goal mouth. Effectively receives the first pass from the injector. Using effective timing, pushes the ball into position so that it travels past the dummy striker & onto the real striker. Moves into position near the top of the circle, ready to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Steps forward & over the ball acting as if they are going to strike it; in general actually following through with the action, striking the ground around ball s path but not making contact with the ball. It is this action which aims to deceive the defending players. Continues momentum forwards & moves into position around the penalty spot in order to pick up any rebound balls in order to assist with 2nd phase attack. Strikes the ball effectively at the goal; either aiming at space within the goal or playing the ball towards the posts in order for post players to deflect the ball into the goal. Moves into position at the top of circle towards the left-hand side in order to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. If the ball is received, this player either continues to play & pass the ball to the striker, or adjusts the routine in order to keep possession within the circle, e.g. the backup player may choose to take the ball into the circle & strike themselves. If the backup player is required to receive the ball or not, they move into position near the top of the circle towards the right-hand side ready to receive any rebound balls & assist with phase 2 attack. Runs towards the right-hand post as quickly as possible, beginning the run as the ball is injected, in order to deflect the ball into the goal should the 1st shot on goal be targeted towards the right post. Picks up any rebound balls & provide phase 2 attack around the right-hand area of the circle close to the goal mouth.

Advantages of this technique Wider Penalty Corner Attack Skills Double Slip Left This routine should allow the attacking team the ability to add a lot of deception to the initial strike. Defensive players, especially the player running to close the striking player down, will be out of position. An effective dummy striker, playing their part well, adds the most deception within this routine. A fast injection & a sharply-executed routine will aid the attacking team in catching the defending team off-guard before they have time to set into their positions. A hard hit towards either the left or right-hand post could enable the post runners to effectively deflect the ball into the goal. A team which is good at the 2nd phase of attack (rebounds) can take advantage of any balls which may rebound off the goalkeeper or other defending players by having quick reactions. Disadvantages of this technique The stick stopper s push to the real striker has to be accurate in order for it to appear as if it is being played to the dummy striker. A push which is not placed on target or which does not have enough speed is likely to be intercepted by defenders. The dummy striker needs to ensure that their feet do not come into contact with the ball. Making a bigger stride over the ball should prevent the ball coming into contact with their feet. Strikers who have a hard hit but always hit to the same place on the goal (e.g. the centre) are less likely to score than those strikers who understand that placement can be more effective than power. Strikers who are able to hit the ball towards the posts can sometimes be hindered if post running players do not reach the post in time to deflect the ball into the goal. This can result in the ball going off the back line from the initial strike, which is the best scenario for a defending team. Players running onto the posts need to ensure that they time their run well arriving into the space to provide the deflection as the ball travels into position. As this player makes their run they should do so with their stick in front of them close to or on the ground so they are prepared to make contact with the ball & it provides them with a greater reach.

Double Slip Left Players ensure that there are players to pick up rebounds close to the goal & around the penalty spot, plus players around the outside of the circle in order to pick up any rebounds which travel a further distance.