INT 2 PE
Preparation of the Body
Area 1 – Performance
Requirements/Physical, Skill Related
and Mental Fitness
Preparation of the Body
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Hockey is a fast and fluctuating game involving bursts of intense
effort interspersed with periods of low intensity
Performance Requirements
-running, passing, shooting, dribbling and controlling the ball at
speed
-Chasing back to defend
-Tackling, marking and denying space
-Getting in to open space to receive the ball
-Getting in behind the opposition defence
-Changing direction at speed
-Supporting team mates
-Holding off defenders and keeping possession
Physical Fitness
Hockey, therefore, has the following specific, physical fitness demands:
1.
Cardiorespiratory endurance: This is connected with aerobic fitness. It is
the ability of the player to last the duration of the game whilst maintaining
high levels of skill, concentration and ability to perform all the performance
requirements already stated. Aerobic fitness will also allow players to
recover quicker after periods of intense effort.
2.
Speed or speed endurance: Speed is the ability of a player to move their
whole body quickly over a specific distance. Speed endurance is required to
make repeated sprints.
3.
Explosive speed or acceleration: This is the ability to get off the mark
quickly which is important for short sprints to beat an opponent to the ball or
get free for a pass
4.
Strength: This is the maximum force that can be produced by a muscle or
group of muscles in a single contraction; important for keeping possession of
the ball, holding off defenders and competing in the air
5.
Strength + Speed = Power : Which is required for any fast action that
requires strength i.e. jumping
Skill Related Fitness
Skill related aspects of fitness are closely related to physical aspects of
fitness and can be developed in a similar way
The following are skill related aspects of fitness the are important in football:
1.
Agility: the ability to change direction quickly whilst maintaining speed and
balance. It is required in Hockey since the game is unpredictable and open in
nature. Players will have to change direction to react to team-mates and
oppositions movements, quickly dodge tackles and move in and out of spaces
2.
Balance: in Hockey is the ability to maintain control of body during movement.
Required to perform the skills of the game accurately.
3.
Coordination: is the ability to perform controlled and accurate motor tasks.
Needed to skilfully control the ball and to dribble in tight confrontational
situations demanding different body movement and touch skills
4.
Reaction Time: is the ability to quickly react to a stimulus e.g. the flight of
the ball. If players fail to react quickly, possession of the ball is lost
5.
Timing: is the ability to perform skills with accuracy at appropriate time and
with appropriate weight. Players have to skilfully time a pass so that the ball
may be delivered accurately to a team-mate.
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Mental Aspects of Fitness
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2.
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4.
5.
Mental aspects of fitness are concerned with a players ability to manage their
own emotions and cope with the challenges of performance.
The following are important mental aspects of fitness for Hockey
Determination: players must be determined to win challenges and to compete
with others
Motivation: this is the players desire to succeed which encourages a positive
attitude to win. This can have a positive effect on the rest of the team
Concentration: This allows the player to remain focused and shut out external
distractions i.e. the crowd
Level of Arousal: This is linked to how interested you are, at any given time,
and can depend of factors such as stress and fatigue.
Stress Management: is very important for successful performance in Hockey.
You must be able to control anxiety and outside pressure in order to maintain
concentration. Players can develop techniques to focus on performance only
and way from things that distract. These include goal setting, mental
imagery/rehearsal, relaxation techniques and “self talk”
Role Specific Fitness
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Depending on what role you play within the
team, you will require different aspects of
physical, skill related and mental aspects of
fitness to different extents.
In the practical sessions, we will be focusing
on the role of a central midfielder/wide
midfielder.
Take each of these positions, and list which
aspects of fitness would be most important
and the reasons why.
Role Specific Fitness
Wide Midfielder:
-Performance requirements
-Providing support in attack and
defence from a wide position
-Overlapping runs in attack
-Always being available as a passing
option
-tracking opponents runs
-denying space to opposition wide
players
Which physical, skill related and mental aspects of
fitness are required for this position?
Role Specific Fitness
Central Midfielder:
-Performance requirements
-Providing support for attackers and
defenders from a central position
-Tracking opponents runs
-denying space for opponents
-Being available as a passing option
-Leads from deep into attacking
positions
-Winning ‘second balls’
Which Physical, Skill Related and mental aspects of
fitness are required for this role?
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