Playing smart with the ball on a stick
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can manipulate a hockey stick and transfer tactics to keep possession by passing and dribbling.
Key learning points
- Move: moving with bent knees and an upright back enables sight of the stick, ball and field.
- Move: making square and diagonal passes helps to utilise width and avoid defenders.
- Think: fast passes and dummy passes help shake off defenders.
- Feel: striving to achieve goals regardless of external factors like praise from others demonstrates self-motivation.
- 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.
Teacher tip
This lesson can easily be adapted to use unihoc/floorball sticks or lacrosse/hurling/camogie sticks.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called when you pass the ball across the pitch towards the goal?
Q2.What is the drill called when you work on short passes and keeping possession?
Q3.Where should you move if your teammate has the ball in the centre of the pitch to apply the principle of dispersal?
Q4.What is illustrated by managing your emotions effectively?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What happens if the ball hits the curved side of your stick?
Q2.What is it called when you turn your stick over to hit on the backhand side?
Q3.Which of the following does not help with seeing the field of play when playing hockey?
Q4.Which of the following is the least effective place to pass the ball when trying to create space?
To help you plan your 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...
To help you plan your 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.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 3 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: tactics and strategies to outwit opponents in donor sports unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.