England Hockey Junior Hockey Framework

Our junior section is following the England Hockey Junior Hockey Framework – a national programme designed to bring consistency, clarity and quality to junior coaching across the country.

This framework sets out:

What players should be learning at each age group
How individual skills are developed progressively
How players build game understanding and decision-making
Practical tools and resources to support coaches

The framework is being rolled out by EH for season 2025-26 for U8s, U10s and U12s, with older age groups being introduced next season.

Why This Matters

The aim is simple:

Better coaching → Better player development → Better experience for every child

The framework focuses on two key pillars:

1. Individual Highly Skilled Actions

Players are taught specific core techniques appropriate to their age and stage.

These are carefully sequenced so that:

U8s build strong fundamental movement and ball skills
U10s develop more control and attacking/defensive actions
U12s begin to execute more advanced, game-relevant techniques

Each age group has clearly defined objectives, ensuring consistency across clubs and teams.

2. Hockey IQ

Alongside skills, players are taught to think about the game.

This includes:

Decision-making under pressure
Understanding space
When to pass, carry, or shoot
Defensive positioning and transition
Awareness of teammates and opponents

Developing Hockey IQ helps players apply their skills effectively in real match situations.

Age Group Objectives

We have summarised the England Hockey objectives for:

U8
U10
U12

These can be found at the bottom of this page.

Coaching Resources – All Free

One of the strongest elements of the framework is the extensive range of coaching support materials available through the England Hockey Hockey Hub.

These include:

Skill demonstration cards
Step-by-step coaching tips
Session ideas
Age-specific guidance
Video and visual resources

You can visit the extensive pool of England Hockey resources here: EH Hockey Hub - Junior Hockey Framework

We have also attached at the bottom of this page a resources document so you can see the breadth of support available (all the resources are available via the Hockey Hub using the link above).

For Our Coaches

We know many coaches are keen for support and guidance. This framework provides:

Clear direction on what to coach
Confidence that sessions are age-appropriate
Ready-made resources to reduce planning time
A shared language and structure across the club

We strongly encourage all junior coaches to familiarise themselves with the framework and make use of the available materials.

This is a new EH initiative, so do also fell free to provide feedback on the available resources and any others that you might like to see as a coach of your particular age group.

For Parents and Players

This framework helps ensure:

Consistency across training groups
Age-appropriate skill development
A balance of technique and game understanding
A positive and progressive learning journey

If you would like to understand more about what your child is working towards at their age group, please review the objectives and resources linked above.

Our Commitment

As a club, we are committed to:

Aligning our junior coaching with national best practice
Supporting and developing our coaching team
Providing the best possible experience for our young players

If you have any questions about the Junior Framework or would like to get involved in coaching, please contact JD at here.

Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club

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