Buoyancy Factor is the factor that is used to compensate loss of weight due to immersion in drilling fluid.

Before explaining any further, it is very important to explain the basic concept of Buoyancy. Buoyancy is the upward force that keeps things afloat. The net upward buoyancy force equals to the amount of the weight of fluid displaced by the body volume. This force will make objects lighter when it immerses in fluid. For instant, we feel ourselves lighter when we are in a swimming pool because this is the effect of Buoyancy.

How to calculate the Buoyancy Factor.

The formulas below demonstrates how to determine this factor.

Buoyancy Factor (BF) = (65.5 – mud weight density in pound per gallon (ppg)) ÷ 65.5

For example, if the drilling fluid weight is 13.0 pound per gallon (ppg), as per the equation above, the factor can be calculated by simply inputting mud weight density into the equation.

BF = (65.5 – 13.0) ÷ 65.5

BF = 0.8015

How to use the Buoyancy Factor.

In order to figure out the actual weight of drilling string in mud, the air weight of drilling string times the buoyancy factor equal to actual drill string weight,called buoyed weight, in drilling fluid. The simple equation shows the relationship of actual weight in drilling fluid.

Actual Weight = Air Weight of Drill String x BF

If weight in the air of a drilling string is 350 kilo pound (Klb), we can use this relationship to determine the string weight in 13.0 ppg drilling fluid. The buoyed weight of drill string in 13.0 ppg mud is equal to 350 x 0.8015 ( 280.5 Klb).

According to the calculation, when a drill string is immersed into drilling fluid, its weight almost decreases by 20%.Therefore, it is very important that every personnel working at drilling sites should be able to calculate the buoyancy factor in order to figure out how mud weight effects the total string weight in a wellbore.

The most commonly asked questions recruits ask today is “What Can You Bring to Basic Training?” There are several things you can pack up for boot camp but you don’t want to forget these items such as running shoes, a cell phone, stationery supplies, a debit card, cash and also civilian clothes. After all, you want to have the best experience as possible with the least amount of problems in basic training. Here are some of the few things your allowed to take with you to boot camp.

Running shoes. You can bring your own running shoes to basic. You can bring your running shoes (tennis shoes) but it’ll be up to your drill sergeants on whether they’ll let you wear them or not. Some drill sergeants will make you buy the shoes that they sell at reception. It depends on where you go to training and some drill sergeants let Soldiers wear their own shoes and they didn’t have to buy them.

Cell Phones. You can bring your own cell phone but it’ll be up to the drill sergeant’s decision if you’ll receive any phone privileges (cell phone or phone booth). You can keep your cell phone during reception but once you’re at basic then you’ll have to hand them over to the drill sergeants. You will not get them back until you start white phase or every other Sundays.

Stationary Supplies. You can take your own stationery supplies such as paper, envelopes and stamps or you can buy them while you are at basic training. You have the freedom to write letters every night and have it sent out to a family or friend every day. You will have to do 10 push ups for every letter that you receive during mail call which is worth it.

Debit Card. It is highly recommended that you bring your own debit card tied to your account. You will have to resupply later for personal hygiene’s and to withdraw money from the ATM to pay for haircuts at the PX. Some things are not free in training and you’ll have to reach into your pocket sometimes to pay for the basics such as a haircut or if you want to buy a class yearbook.

Address book. Bring an address book listing your family members and next to kin. It’s very important to have a mailing address of someone so that you can send letters and add them to your life insurance, emergency contact and beneficiary when you in-process during the reception battalion.

Cash. Bring a few extra dollars but not more than $50 dollars. You may never know what might happen during your journey to boot camp. You might need to get a cab or buy something to eat.

Civilian Clothes. Bring the clothes on your back because on the first day you arrive to the reception battalion, the Army will issue you a lot of uniforms and gear. You will wear your PT’s or ACU uniform. You are not allowed to wear your civilian clothes anymore and you must dress according to the uniform of that day.

Driving three-inch lag screws for installing hanging garage storage shelves is often a source of frustration for many people. They often experience them breaking. In this article I will give tips for how to prevent this problem.

The advice listed here can be applicable to any kind of use of lag screws, however my expertise originates from mounting ceiling brackets for ceiling mounted garage storage racks. These types of shelves require 2″ insertion into the stud. Most of these shelves include 3″ lag screws since they need to pass through drywall plus the width of the mounting bracket.

The most important thing to do in avoiding breaking screws is to always predrill the holes. Utilize a 3/16″ bit and drill down to the complete length of a screw. When you bore only part way then you will get significant resistance while driving the screw. I have heard some people have success making an additional hole inside that with a 15/16″ bit, but only drill as far as the smooth area of the lag screw. Understand that wood is a natural product, therefore there is a probability that you’ll run into a knot inside the wood. These areas usually do not accept a screw nicely and so they may force you to move your mounting point.

Secondly use an impact driver to drive the screws. The job can be difficult with a socket wrench. A cordless drill with the bit for sockets will carry out the work. However by far the simplest solution is to make use of an impact driver. I’ve found that I need to use both hands and stand squarely behind the drill in order to drive them successfully with a rechargeable drill. However, if I use an impact driver, I’m able to install the screws with only one hand and I do not have to align myself with the screw. This is particularly handy if I am on a ladder and need to reach out to the anchor point.

Another common problem is usually that people over tighten the lag screws. Do not over tighten the hardware. Should you crank on the head once the top of the lag screw is already flat against the drywall, you chance twisting off the head and having the threads stuck inside the stud. This could cause problems with connecting your ceiling mounting bracket because you might be installing across the studs, which means you will not be able to just slide the bracket over a bit to make a new hole. Turn the screws just until the head touches the ceiling bracket. The screws do not need to be tightened down any more.

Applying soap or wax over the threads could make it simpler to drive the screw. You’d be better off using candle wax if you can, because over time the soap can cause the threads to rust.

Should you be working with poor quality screws, think about making a visit to the hardware store for better quality screws. The grade and material of lag screws are marked on the head. No marks means the lowest grade 2 and it has the lowest tensile strength. Three radial lines means grade 5, a medium carbon steel that’s quenched and tempered. This grade ought to turn properly and not have regular breaks. The final and strongest ranking of steel screws have got six radial markings and therefore are grade 8.

Stainless steel lag screws would not have these standard markings on them, but have the approximate tensile strength of grade 5, nevertheless they may bend easier – more on bending later. Stainless will probably have something printed on the head, therefore you will not confuse them with grade 2. Stainless also is non-magnetic.

I wouldn’t advise reusing lag screws. Once driven, even only partially, the screw is stressed. The chances are greater it will break when you try to use it again. Which also suggests you shouldn’t install a screw by running back and forth into the wood to drive it to length. Lastly, a tiny amount of bend in the threads will keep the hardware from rotating and boring down into the stud correctly.

Practices in any sport can be boring and unproductive if not planned out ahead of time. Having a clip board with your practice itinerary written out is just a good solid idea.You can keep track of your time slots for certain drills,and keeping these on file, you will know what you have covered.

Keep your practices to 90 minutes when possible. I realize that early pre season practices will likely go over due to weather wiping out some valuable time early on.

Break up the practices with a couple of water breaks, so that you add some instruction as a group.Water breaks are not free-for-alls, they are for listening. Go over what you have been doing so far,and what you going to do next.

KEEP PRACTICE MOVING ALONG!

Practices can be broken up into different stations.A station is a group of players and 1 or 2 coaches.The term station refers to whatever skill is being worked on at that “station”.

Typically you will divide your players and coaches up to best suit the drills you are doing.For example, take 3 catchers and run a blocking drill for 15 minutes.Then take your catchers to home plate and along with 3 middle infielders,conduct a throwing and tagging station.You can also work on back ups at 2nd base,along with pitch out drills for catchers . GET PARENTS INVOLVED!

Obviously you will need help to run these stations. That is why in the parental letter at tryouts or sign ups, you must be clear in asking for help. The parents or relatives do not have to have coaching experience,although it is helpful.

This one good way to get parents to see how much work you put in to the team.Please make it clear who your assistant coaches are right away. NAME them in your letter if possible.Just because someone helps with practice doesn’t mean they are now on the staff.

I know some of this seems obvious,but believe me,it must be spelled out to avoid confusion.You will be training the parents as well on how to help with the drills,and they just might work with the player at home also.

A GOOD PRACTICE SHOULD SEEM TO BE OVER QUICK!

My nightmare practice scenario is this.A coach is trying to throw batting practice to 1 batter at a time.The coach can’t get it over the plate.There is no on deck batter to quickly help pick up balls at the backstop.The rest of the players and coaches are standing in the field looking very bored.

This is a very common practice,and 1 reason that kids don’t like baseball practice. It’s too boring. Well I’m here to help you take charge of your team with an energizing practice.

Use your creativity and come up with some different stations.Or just use some old stand byes. Hitting stations,throwing stations,catching stations,fielding stations,or pitching stations.

Rotate your coaches and volunteers to different stations each practice to give them another station to learn. Keep track of which person worked what station so you can them experience at all of stations.

KEEP THEM MOVING!

HITTING STATION

What is stressed at each hitting station is a good balanced stance, starting the swing with your bottom hand,along with a strong hip rotation,and balanced high finish or follow through.

We like to use a drill called the Towel Drill. It is simply placing a folded towel under the back elbow of each hitter.Each hitter then gets several balls soft tossed to them one at a time.Each hitter is then trained to rotate the torso to hit the ball without the towel falling out from under their elbow.They quickly catch on after a couple practices.This is a good drill and inexpensive.

Another drill is balanced beam drill.Using a 60 inch 4×4 flat on the ground,have the players hit a ball off of a tee or soft toss to them to see whether their swing is balanced.It will also show you if they are stepping out of the batters box.

I use soft toss all season long.Try a purchase a hitting net to set up wherever you go during the season.Using soft toss you can look at the player’s swings to see whether they are swinging correctly. All of the other hitting stations work a different part of the swing.Soft toss is where you can see the progress of the stations.

REPETITION, REPETITION REPETITION

Baseball skills are learned with repetition.We must guard against boredom however by keeping station times to 15 minutes. Have players hustle from station to station. While others run the stations, the manager can go from station to station and observe players while heaping praise on them.Stop at a station and interject if needed.

Take a water break after all players have cycled through stations, and go over the fundamentals of the drills again.Also preview what they are going to do next,and praise their efforts on previous drills.Have a coach actually demonstrate the drills coming and what expect.Take questions from players if needed, but don’t get off topic.90 minutes goes by fast.

Be sure to praise players who are doing drills correctly for their skill level.Remember not all players have the same skill levels, but all players need consistent praise and encouragement.

90 minute practices do not include 15 minute prepractice meeting and warm up time. Please have parents bring kids 15 minutes early, or if you are really on the ball, just schedule practice time 15 minutes earlier.

WARNING :COACHES MUST BE EARLY TO GAMES AND PRACTICE!

Parents will not get players to games and practice early if they see coaches and manager getting there late.Set an example right away!

My son had a coach who would always be there when we arrived and we were usually 30 min early for practice and 1 hour early for the game.We only arrived before him twice,and that was because we left even earlier than normal.There were no issues on that team about latecomers.

Getting to games early also helps to get good dugout sides if they are not marked.You can look at field conditions during uncertain weather.You can do some work on fields if needed or permitted.If it was a difficult place to find, you can communicate that to others by phone so they aren’t late.It shows other team that you mean business,it may give you a slight psychological edge.

PRACTICE EXAMPLE

Practice is set for 12 noon

1150 or earlier – you arrive to get make sure everything is set, bases,pitching rubber,equipment, etc…

1145- players arrive hopefully, put them in parallel lines 20-35 ft. apart depending on age group. Have begin warming up using proper mechanics. Any overthrows are to be picked and run back into the line. This prevents more overthrows from further away.

12 noon Call practice to order. Go over what stations are being set up and which adults are running them.Divide players up as equally as possible,splitting up buddies,and or siblings.

If this is 1st practice using stations,please demo for kids what you want at each station.

Station 1 A drill called Fly

Players line up single file, coach throws a football pass type throw over the shoulder of player on the run to make the catch.Run the ball back to the coach on the outside of the line so there are no collisions between players. do this for 10 min.

Station 2 Fly ball drill with tennis balls

Using a tennis racket, hit fly balls to a single file line of players, one at time. Players must use 2 hands with tennis balls or they will have hard time catching them. do this for 10 min.

Station 3 5gal bucket drill

Set up a 5gal bucket at home plate or anywhere else you want.Put players in a single file line, throw them a grounder or fly ball, using proper throwing techniques, attempt to throw baseball into the bucket. Put bucket at least 100′ away depending on age group of course. Do this for 10 min.

Station 4 Cut off man drill

Have the players rotate as cut off man,throw or hit ball past the outfielder,have them chase,then pick up ball,using good throwing form, hit the cut off man.Rotate after each throw. 10 min.

1245pm

Have a water break,go over how drills went.Kid around with players a little and be very positive. Highlight all the good things you saw first, then maybe touch on what needs work. Above all,stay positive,and fun.

1250pm

Divide into 2 groups 1 at 3rd,another at 1st. Single file lines Have players field some grounders and pop ups, throwing to coaches or catchers 15-20ft up each baseline. 10 min.

1pm

Put players into regular positions or close to it.Bring in 2-3 players to hit. Machine or coach pitch.Give each player 7 swings, then rotate to next batter. Each player hits 2 times, then goes out and shags balls. After hitting for 2nd time,call in another player. Always have 1-2 players ready to hit,and have everyone ready to hustle in and pick up balls between hitters.

125pm

Call team together, go over things,and announce next practice or game time.Thank everyone for being prompt,especially the parents.

BE CREATIVE BE FUN BE POSITIVE

There are many other ways to run a practice, I have given you a basic format that you can modify anyway you see fit.Just don’t fall into a rut of doing the same things over and over. Variety is the spice of life and same is true for baseball.

Sometimes you will have entire practices on fielding or hitting. Schedule as many practices as the team’s families will tolerate before the season starts.Once the season starts, have team arrive 1 hour before game time for some hitting and fielding workouts.

CONCLUSION

Practice will make your team better.Well run productive practices will do even more. When you run challenging varied workouts players will develop their skills quicker. Always encourage working hard on their games.Most important is be positive,and be fun.

Champion volleyball players do not become as good as they are in an instant. It takes years of training hard to become good enough to compete at the professional level. Champions are winners because they have mastered the fundamentals,not because they dream up awesome plays. For this reason all coaches, players, officials, and students of the game need to give that 110% that’s needed to achieve the ultimate goal of success.

Volleyball practice drills include getting to the volleyball positions to receive the ball, the motions of a serve (this is mostly for overhand serving, but it can help teach it too). Practicing fundamentals should be progressive and can be progressed much further into details than the basics of setting or passing. At the top level, the skill drills look a whole lot different compared to junior level.

Some players may benefit from increasing their lean mass but even they should focus on converting much of their strength into soccer-specific power. One player stands at different spots and tries to “Swish” the Volleyball using a overhand set. Volleyball practice drills are easier if you have a partner throwing balls up at you from below the net. All exercises are geared specifically for a volleyball player, designed to make your athlete stronger, faster and jump higher without adding a lot of bulk to your athlete. You really need to make sure that you continue to get stronger, faster and jump higher!

Please notice it is never too late to learn proper fundamentals, which are the key becoming a successful volleyball player.Volleyball beginning Drills are a great way to improve every aspect of a player’s game. If you are training to reach the professional level or simply play in a recreational league, drills will help improve your game and improve your overall fitness.

Jack hammers are ordinarily used in construction projects. These are specifically used in demolition and setting the structure’s foundation. Jack hammers can also be used in excavation and mining.

Jack hammers are known also as pneumatic drills. These are used for breaking down

– rocks

– concrete pavement and

– roads

It has handles on one end and a drill like chisel on the other end. This instrument is important for so many reasons. They are more efficient than the conventional hammer and chisel. It takes less time to finish work using jack hammers. This instrument is more effective if you use it on a horizontal plane.

Different types of jack hammers have been made to maximize the existing capabilities of pneumatic drills. The three types are:

1. Pneumatic drill – from which the term has come from, is powered by air. It is connected to an air compressor with a hose. The air compressor is run by gasoline. This tool is portable as compared to other types.

2. Hydraulic jack hammer – it is in contrast to a pneumatic drill. This instrument is powered by liquid. It is used for demolition projects and wide scale mining.

3. Electric jack hammer – this type of jack hammer is convenient for small construction projects. It does not require force. Unlike the hydraulic-powered jack hammers, this one is mainly used in household.

Unlike the compressor-motorized jack hammers, it can be connected to an electrical socket at home. It is more often used for:

– creating holes on surfaces

– breaking concrete and

– other light jobs

You must be experienced to be able to operate jack hammers. There are a great variety of electric jack hammers available. Select the more efficient models. Check also on the watts, amp and other specification when buying electric jack hammers.

For example: The modern automatic jack hammers require less effort than the older models.

It is a better option to rent jack hammers than buying a new one. It is due to the fact that jack hammers are only useful when you are doing a construction of a house. The usage of Jack hammers is only minimal. You do not need to buy a jack hammer unless you are not planning to open your own construction company.

You don’t need to limit yourself to your nearest construction materials provider. You can even check for jack hammer rentals. There are lots of deals that you will see. Some jack hammer rentals even gives specific deals.

For Safety

Jack hammers pose a lot of risk with its operation. If you are a jack hammer operator by profession, you must manage maximum security. You must strictly adhere to the basics of jack hammer precautions.

To learn how to use jack hammer correctly, one must undergo safety training. If you know the correct way of operating it, you will find it easier to understand and follow safety protocols.

The operator of the jack hammer should wear protection gear prior to operating the instrument. The complete sets of protective gears are:

– masks

– ear muffs

– stout and stuffed clothing

– protective footwear

Though they are protective clothing, they still can’t ensure your safety using a jack hammer. Operating a jack hammer entails hazardous risks. Ex. Extreme vibration of the instrument may cause Raynaud’s Disease. This is an impairment of the blood circulation to the hands.

Though complete protection cannot be guaranteed, following instructions on the safe use is still advised. It would at least minimize natural risks if not totally eradicate it.

Oil is formed from the fossils of animals, plants and trees which date back to several thousands of years. After undergoing a lot of chemical processes for over a million years, they turn into organic substance and later into natural gas and crude oil.

Oil drilling companies form an integral part of the oil and gas industry. Finding oil is not a simple process and adding to the complexity is finding potential buyers and it involves various stages. The first thing that these companies do is to find the oil resources and the final stage is to distribute it to the retail outlets and petrol bunks. These companies depend predominantly on the advertisers and marketing agencies as they get potential consumers.

These companies use state-of-the-art procedure for drilling oil. For this, highly experienced manpower and a huge financial investment is required. It is quite difficult to locate the natural resources that are capable of producing oil and hence a lot of technical expertise is required in order to ensure that the oil and gas exploration is done successfully.

Detecting the right place is very important because all the hard work may go in vain if there is no oil. The technique mainly used to detect oil is 3-D and 4-D seismic imaging. Before beginning to drill the oil in a particular area, the company concerned should procure the requisite rights to do so. The technique, generally, used for drilling the oil is the rotary method.

There is a possibility that the area selected for drilling may contain very less quantities of oil which is not worth the investment. In such cases, the companies should seal off the well as it may cause environmental pollution if it is left unattended for longer periods of time. Therefore, the entire procedure must be carried out under the able guidance of qualified and experienced staff.

The procedures followed by the oil and gas companies that are involved in drilling are:

• The companies that drill the oil first identifies the land, and then has it cleaned and levelled. Later, roads are built to make it accessible.

• If there is no other source of water near to the land, the water well are dug as it is one of the significant requirements.

• Then the reserve pit is dug to put in the rock cuttings and drilled mud. This pit is later covered with plastic to prevent environmental pollution.

The fundamentals that the oil drilling companies should follow:

• Earmark properties that potentially have natural resources that can produce oil and gas.

• The value of such properties can be maximized by increasing the production levels.

• Build a core team comprising qualified and experienced engineers and personnel.

• The companies should focus on particular regions so that company’s concentration is more on building the infrastructure.

• The oil companies must eye properties that are capable of creating additional values in the form of secondary and tertiary recovery methods.

• The oil companies should not only focus on drilling but also focus on exploitation, exploration, research and development and marketing.

Aircraft windshields, enclosures and windows.

Repairs are more manageable when they are repairs to plastic windshields, enclosures, and windows in non-pressurized aircraft. For pressurized aircraft, replace or repair plastic windows in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. When acrylic aircraft windshields and side windows are damaged, they are usually replaced, unless the damage is minor and a repair would not be in the line of vision. Windshield repairs usually require a great deal of labour. Replacement parts are readily available, so replacement is normally more economical than repair. You can appreciate from this that ground support equipment design has long sought a solution for aircraft acrylic window refurbishment.

There are times when a windshield may be cracked and safety is not impaired. In that case, repairs can be made by stop-drilling the ends of the crack with a # 30 drill (1/8 inch) to prevent the concentration of stresses causing the crack to continue. Drill a series of number 40 holes a half-inch from the edge of the crack about a half-inch apart, and lace through these holes with brass safety wire and seal with clear silicone to waterproof. Diamond cutting head machines have also been developed to cut and remove crazing.

Temporary repairs too are possible. One way to make a temporary repair is to stop-drill the ends of the crack, and then drill number 27 holes every inch or so in the crack. Use AN515-6 screws and AN365-632 nuts with AN960-6 washers on both sides of the plastic. This will hold the crack together and prevent further breakage until the windshield can be properly repaired or replaced.

Ground support equipment design.

Permanent repairs using a special purpose diamond cutting head machine are now feasible. Aircraft windshields or side windows with small cracks that affect only the appearance rather than the airworthiness of a sheet, may be repaired by first stop-drilling the ends of the crack with a # 30 or a 1/8-inch drill. Then use a hypodermic syringe and needle to fill the crack with polymerizable cement such as PS-30 or Weld-On 40, and allow capillary action to fill the crack completely. Soak the end of a 1/8-inch acrylic rod in cement to form a cushion and insert it in the stop-drilled hole. Allow the repair to dry for about 30 minutes, and then trim the rod off flush with the sheet.

Polishing and Finishing can be achieved in the following manner. It is possible, within certain limitations, to remove scratches and repair marks from acrylic plastic. Sanding that might adversely affect the plastic’s optical properties and distort the pilot’s vision should be avoided.

If there are scratches or repair marks in an area that can be sanded, they may be removed by first sanding the area. Use 320- or 400-grit abrasive paper that is wrapped around a felt or rubber pad.

Use circular rubbing motions, light pressure, and a mild liquid soap solution as a lubricant. After the sanding is complete, rinse the surface thoroughly with running water. Then, using a 500-grit paper, continue to sand lightly. Keep moving to higher grit paper and sand and rinse until all of the sanding or repair marks have been removed. After using the forest abrasive paper, use rubbing compound and buff in a circular motion to remove all traces of the sanding.

Acrylic windshield refurbishment.

Acrylic windshield refurbishment can be nicely finished and aircraft windows may be cleaned by washing them with mild soap and running water. Rub the surface with your bare hands in a stream of water. Follow with the same procedure but with soap and water. After the soap and dirt have been flushed away, dry the surface with a soft, clean cloth or tissue and polish it with a windshield cleaner especially approved for use on aircraft transparent plastics. These cleaners may be purchased through aircraft supply houses.

A thin coating of wax will fill any minute scratches that may be present and will cause rain to form droplets that are easily blown away by the wind.

Acrylic windshield protection.

Acrylic windshields are often called “lifetime” windshields, to distinguish them from those made of the much shorter-lived acetate material. However, even acrylic aircraft windshields must be protected from the ravages of the elements.

When an aircraft is parked in direct sunlight, the windshield will absorb heat and will actually become hotter than either the inside of the aircraft or the outside air. The sun will cause the inside of a closed aircraft to become extremely hot, and this heat is also absorbed by the plastic windshield.

To protect against this damage, it is wise to keep the aircraft in a hangar. If this is not possible, some type of shade should be provided to keep the sun from coming in direct contact with the windshield. Some aircraft owners use a close-fitting, opaque, reflective cover over the windshield. In many cases, this has done more harm than good. This cover may absorb moisture from the air and give off harmful vapors, and if it touches the surface of the plastic it can cause crazing or minute cracks to form in the windshield. Another hazard in using such a cover is that sand can blow up under the cover and scratch the plastic.

Don’t Blame it on the Rain

From time to time spring weather doesn’t always facilitate field hockey practices out doors. So while the plants may be grateful for a little rain, it can often dampen team spirits as well as throw a wrench into your practicing plans. However don’t let the rain get you down, and use the following field hockey coaching ideas for moving your practices from a soggy field to an indoor gymnasium.

Starting Things off on a Fun Note

The first of my field hockey coaching ideas for relocating practice indoors is to start things off on a fun note. Most players don’t always enjoy the constraints of practicing indoors and in addition players are missing out on the fresh air and sunshine that accompany a practice on a spring afternoon.

So when practices are forced inside because of the weather, I always like to start things off with a game of freeze tag or good old fashioned dodge ball. This will inject some much needed vitality into your players while giving them an excuse to run around and have fun. Plus it’ll get them warmed up for the indoor drills and conditioning exercises.

Drills Done Indoors

The next of my field hockey coaching ideas when moving practices indoors is to implement some new drills that my players haven’t seen before. The following two drills are a great way to utilize the indoor space and get your players practicing their passing and receiving skills.

For the first drill, called the Hook Dribble, two players pass the ball to each other before taking a shot on goal. This drill can be performed with or without a goalkeeper, whichever is easier your situation. Before beginning the drill set up a number of plastic cones just before half court with a path for players to swerve around them. The players are to line up at the center line, with one extra player waiting at the far left around the center line.

To begin with, the player at the front of the line runs with the ball though the cone path. Once they have completed the path, they pass the ball to player 2 who runs in a sharp hook towards the top of the circle and takes the shot on goal. After passing the ball to player 2, player 1 assumes the position at the side of the center line and the next player in line begins the journey around the cones. After players have gotten the hang of it, run this drill quickly to keep players on their toes.

For the next drill, called the rotate forward, you’ll need to set up a cone course on the left side of the court before the half court line. Have all the players line up behind the cones except for one who stands on the left just over the half court line.

At the sound of your whistle, player 1 maneuvers the ball through the cones, then passes to player 2 upon completion. Instead of arcing and shooting like in the previous drill, player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 who turns sharply infield and can either take the shot or pass back to player 2 for the shot. When running this drill, make sure the emphasis is on clean backhand passes at full speed.

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.

Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.

These can be trained as “stand alone” combinations OR worked into existing “Defendu” combinations either “before” or “after”.

1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin (opposite side)

then: HARD upward right knee to fork.

Repeat punching combo.

Then: Side step with right leg (out and to the right 45 degree)

LEFT knee to fork.

2. HARD left to chin. HARD right to solar-plexus.

Then the knee smashes as above.

3. HARD left to SOLAR-PLEXUS. HARD right to chin.

Then the knee smashes as above.

4. HARD left to solar-plexus. HARD right to SOLAR-PLEXUS.

Then the knee smashes as above.

Basically it’s a series of drills to train the TWO most fundamental punches to head and body, followed by a knee smash to the nuts, practicing with either knee.

Give it a try.

NO BITCHING about “hurting” your hands! NO “Nancy” boys (or girls) allowed here!

________________________________________

Now try this:

For the sake of the drill “visualize” an attacker moving in with a straight left lead right to your snot-box.

What realistic possibilities exist:

1. Side step IN to your LEFT and 45 degrees.

2. Side step DIRECTLY to YOUR left.

3. Side step BACK to LEFT at 45 degrees.

4. STEP directly to the REAR.

Any of these FOUR “inside” shifts/footwork maneuvers will allow you to avoid/evade the straight left and COUNTER from the OPEN or INSIDE line (his right/your left).

EACH of these sidestep/back step maneuvers HAS both advantages and disadvantages. Depending on environment-obstacles and/or multiple assailants, etc. EACH can be useful if NOT the only choice possible. FIGURE THIS OUT!

Now add the FOUR basic combinations. You NOW have TWENTY-FOUR drills to use and abuse. TWO HARD PUNCHES – A KNEE or KICK to the NUTS and FOUR footwork maneuvers and YOU have enough material to LAST FOR MONTHS or daily training.

AND THIS is only for YOUR LEFT SIDE!

SOOOOOOOOOO…How do we train this and REALLY LEARN from it:

Face your main striking tool (Bob, Spar Pro, Heavy bag). VISUALIZE the STRAIGHT LEFT LEAD and THE BODY POSITION of your IMAGINARY attacker. The bag now becomes THAT assailant – Left hand snaking out to crush your – LEFT foot forward, BODY turned to a 45 degree.

OK? Get IT?

NOW practice sidestepping as above and then IMMEDIATELY countering. EACH FOOTWORK pattern will allow you (or FORCE you) to make adjustments in order to close in and HIT with POWER, speed, accuracy and BALANCE. WORK THIS! Your common sense and BODY will TEACH YOU THE BEST WAY to do THIS!

NEXT…Place an OBSTACLE like a chair at various points to YOUR left or the bags right. This represents either a REAL obstacle OR a SECOND adversary.

NOW, figure OUT which BODY maneuver will GET YOU OUT of DODGE and still ALLOW for a HARD and FAST while GIVING the “second” opponent the LEAST chance of successfully attacking OR how you would have to move to AVOID a REAL WORLD obstacle.

And this is JUST the beginning! Imagine how GOOD you will become if you TRAIN EACH INDIVIDUAL technique like this!

Make a COMPLETE study of a KNEE smash, edge of hand, chin-jab, tiger-claw, side boot kick, groin kick, elbows, punches, and on and on! Master each INDIVIDUAL attack covering ALL OPTIONS both left and right sides and LEFT and RIGHT body shifting!

THEN start with combinations!

Just think of the SKILL, SPEED, POWER and MASTERY you will acquire over EACH attack method, and THEN consider how well you’ll move with your combinations!

This is what we worked on yesterday at Ralph’s.

Like I always say…YOU are YOUR BEST TEACHER!

Get something REALLY GOOD to HIT. Attach a rope or belt or anything that you can SEIZE HARD and YANK with your left hand. Now take your right fist and PUNCH AS HARD, AS FAST, AS POWERFULLY as YOU CAN REPEATEDLY. FASTER and HARDER. WITH AS MUCH INTENSE EMOTION, ANGER, RAGE, HATE, FURY, VENOM, FEROCITY and KILLING INSTINCT as you CAN!

Copyright 2003 thetruthaboutselfdefense.com©