Small Sided Games

When we recorded this The Hockey Site was called hockeytoday.cc. That is why you see some different branding in there

Unlocking Complexity: Mastering Small Sided Games in Field Hockey – Insights from Andreu Enrich

In recent years, small sided games have moved to the center of field hockey training methodology. As the demand grows for environments that closely mirror the fluid complexity of the real game, many coaches have begun trading rote drills for conditions that nurture decision-making, skill adaptation, and tactical awareness. Few have championed this evolution as thoroughly as Andreu Enrich—international player, elite coach, author, and a thought-leader on the tactical nuances of modern hockey training. In a wide-ranging session hosted by HockeyToday CC (old name for The Hockey Site), Andreu dove deep into the philosophy, design, and application of small sided games, offering a blueprint for aligning training with the inherent chaos of the game itself.

Andreu Enrich set the tone by providing a clear, purposeful definition for small sided games (SSGs) in hockey. He describes them as “training tasks where the game is played by fewer players and under certain constraints.” This simple yet robust definition guides how coaches can move from less hockey-specific training tasks to those that faithfully replicate the game’s essential dynamics. The ultimate aim is to move away from isolated drills and repetitive patterns and instead towards competitive tasks where game logic—possession, transition, unpredictable opposition, and decision-making—remains central.

Enrich breaks down five types of training tasks, from ‘transfers’ through to truly game-representative SSGs. While acknowledging that other activities (like non-hockey games or basic skill work) have their place, he strongly advocates for maximizing SSGs’ use, given their superior return on player growth and motivation. Drills—it’s worth emphasizing—are critiqued as largely ineffective, especially when performed in large groups, due to their repetitive, low-engagement nature.