GIRLS HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY Transition to Excelling
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Discover what our Hockey Development Pathway can do for you
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Aim High Hockey is an integral part of our sporting identity at Fettes College and plays a vital role in developing well-rounded young people. Through hockey, our students live out our sporting values every day.
Sporting Values We encourage curiosity by asking students to explore the game, learn from mistakes, and focus on development rather than results. Creativity is central to hockey, allowing players to express themselves, solve problems, and play with freedom and confidence. The team environment fosters kindness, teaching respect, inclusion, and the importance of supporting others. By setting high standards and encouraging resilience, hockey challenges students to aim high, while the strong sense of community within the sport inspires them to give back to their teams, their school, and the wider game. Our hockey programme is built on high-quality provision that reflects these values in action. We provide expert coaching, excellent facilities and balanced fixtures to ensure every student feels supported and challenged. Page 3
Pathway Timeline A place to develop and be the best version of you Opportunities are provided for leadership and responsibility, helping students to aim high while understanding the importance of contributing positively to their teams and the school community. This holistic approach ensures that every student, regardless of experience or ability, can realise their potential and develop a lifelong love of hockey.
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TRANSITION
DEVELOP
PRACTISE AND PERFORM
EXCEL
PROGRESS
STAGE 1
Hockey Transition 2nd Form into 3rd Form •
In February, provide an opportunity for our current and future Fettesians to come together for skill development session
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Transition Day into the Senior School – A discussion about the hockey pathway at Fettes College and preparation for U14 hockey
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Pre-season camp before the start of term. Overnight stay
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STAGE 2
Develop 3rd Form - U14 The U14 programme focuses on building strong technical foundations, developing game understanding, and nurturing a love of hockey, while preparing students for future performance pathway. •
Development of fundamental hockey skills including dribbling, pre-scanning, receiving and picking up the ball, and a wide variety of passing techniques
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Introduction to 11-a-side hockey, including pitch lay out, positions, and basic team structure
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Introduction to defensive principles, including individual defending, basic pressing, and unit roles
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Attacking principles developed
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Encouragement of decision-making and problem-solving in game-based training activities
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Specialist skills sessions to introduce positional play and core techniques
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Penalty Corner Attack (PCA): Each team develops at least two students confident in each role – injector, stop per/trapper, and striker
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Penalty Corner Defence (PCD): Defensive players will understand their role
Aim High How will the U14s be developed? •
Experienced coaching
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Use of video analysis
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Exposure to competitive fixtures and performance environments, including U15 Scottish and East Cup competitions
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Club partnerships
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Extra sessions for U15 Cup squad players
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Nomination of appropriate players into regional pathway
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Excellent clubs within walking distance of the school
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STAGE 3
Progress 4th Form - U15 The U15 programme bridges foundational development and performance hockey, helping students grow in confidence, tactical understanding, and game awareness. •
Continued development of core technical skills under increased pressure and game realism
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Progression of defensive and attacking principles introduced in 3rd Form, with a strong emphasis on decision-making, speed of thought, and execution
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Introduction to more advanced team structures, including pressing variations, defensive unit roles, and attacking shape
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Development of game understanding, including when to control possession and when to play with tempo
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Continued development of Penalty Corner Attack (PCA) roles, increasing consistency and technical execution
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Identification and development of students with potential in specialist roles, including drag flicking
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Aim High
Push harder, think faster
How will the U15s Progress? •
Experienced coaching
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Regular video analysis
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Specialist skills sessions
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Exposure to competitive fixtures and performance environments, including U15 Scottish and East Cup competitions
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Clear progression opportunities into senior hockey squads for high-performing students
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Club partnerships
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A further opportunity to nominate players into regional pathways
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STAGE 4
Perform 2nd XI – 5th XI Our senior programme is designed to support both performance focused players and those seeking high-quality participation, with clear opportunities for progression. Advanced tactical understanding, including unit roles, game management, and opposition analysis. Participation opportunities across four teams caters for a full range of abilities offering not only the enjoyment that comes from playing hockey but also the benefits of being part of a team.
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Aim High Push harder, think faster How do we help the 2nd-5th XI perform? •
Performance-led coaching aligned to modern hockey demands all appropriately matched to the playing level
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Occasional video feedback
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Structured pre-season programme to prepare players physically and tactically for competition
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Positional and skill-based sessions
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Leadership opportunities within squads to develop communication, responsibility, and resilience
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Clear performance pathway from lower senior teams through to the 1st XI
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Exposure to competitive fixtures
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All appropriately matched to the players ability
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STAGE 5
Excel 1st XI To provide a high-performance hockey environment that challenges students to perform at the highest level of school hockey, while developing the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological qualities required for progression into club, representative, and national pathway hockey. •
Advanced technical mastery and consistent execution under pressure
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High-level tactical understanding, including unit roles, pressing systems, and attacking structures
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2nd transition stage – new joiners who aspire to play in the 1st XI will be invited to pre-season
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Aim High
Push harder, think faster
How will we help the 1st XI excel •
Detailed opposition analysis and match-specific tactical preparation
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Performance-led coaching aligned with elite standards
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Individual player development plans with clear performance targets
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GPS monitoring
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Structured pre-season and in-season performance planning
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Exposure to the highest level of school competition, including U18 Scottish and East Cup competitions
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Support and guidance for students aspiring to club, representative, and national pathway hockey
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Clear alignment between school performance and external hockey pathways
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