New
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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 8

Playing smart with the ball on a stick

I can manipulate a hockey stick and transfer tactics to keep possession by passing and dribbling.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Playing smart with the ball on a stick

I can manipulate a hockey stick and transfer tactics to keep possession by passing and dribbling.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: moving with bent knees and an upright back enables sight of the stick, ball and field.
  2. Move: making square and diagonal passes helps to utilise width and avoid defenders.
  3. Think: fast passes and dummy passes help shake off defenders.
  4. Feel: striving to achieve goals regardless of external factors like praise from others demonstrates self-motivation.
  5. Connect: supporting and encouraging others enables them to develop control of the ball when using a stick.

Keywords

  • Square - a pass that goes sideways across the pitch, not forward or backwards

  • Reverse stick - passing on the backhand side by turning the stick over to ensure the flat side of the stick contacts the ball

  • Cross - a pass that goes across the field, often from the wings towards the goal

Common misconception

Pupils use both sides of the stick like they see in ice-hockey.

In field hockey you are only allowed to use the flat side of the stick. If the ball touches the other side or your foot it is a foul.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Playing smart with the ball on a stick, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson can easily be adapted to use unihoc/floorball sticks or lacrosse/hurling/camogie sticks.
Teacher tip

Equipment

a hockey stick each, a hockey ball each, cones or floor markers, bibs

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is it called when you pass the ball across the pitch towards the goal?

a flick
a long ball
Correct answer: a cross

Q2.
What is the drill called when you work on short passes and keeping possession?

a pick-up game
Correct answer: a rondo
pick-and-roll

Q3.
Where should you move if your teammate has the ball in the centre of the pitch to apply the principle of dispersal?

Correct answer: out wide
towards goal
behind your goalkeeper

Q4.
What is illustrated by managing your emotions effectively?

Correct answer: self-regulation
self-awareness
sympathy

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What happens if the ball hits the curved side of your stick?

Correct answer: it’s a foul
nothing, play on
it’s a penalty

Q2.
What is it called when you turn your stick over to hit on the backhand side?

a backhand
Correct answer: reverse stick
a square hold

Q3.
Which of the following does not help with seeing the field of play when playing hockey?

knees bent
back upright
Correct answer: eyes down

Q4.
Which of the following is the least effective place to pass the ball when trying to create space?

towards the wings
Correct answer: up the middle
diagonally