Attacking play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use open side hits to advance the ball safely down the pitch and score goals.
Key learning points
- Move: hitting the ball when it’s about a stick length away and slightly in front of you helps you generate more power.
- Move: bending your knees lowers your body, helping you place the stick flat for a larger stopping surface.
- Think: the ball can not be touched with your feet unless you are the goalkeeper.
- Feel: accurate long hits require persistence and practice to master.
- Connect: effective teamwork thrives on open dialogue, where players feel happy sharing ideas, feedback and concerns.
Keywords
Hit - a player moves the field hockey ball by using a swinging movement with the stick towards the ball
Accuracy - a skill that reaches the intended target
Free hit - the term used when a foul happens or the game needs to be restarted from the ball going out of play
Common misconception
When receiving the ball from the side, hitting to score is easy with the ball at the side.
It is easier to hit the ball with more power by controlling it and positoning it slightly to right and forward of your feet before hitting it. This allows a better angle for accuracy and power as the ball already has momentum towards the goal.
Teacher tip
Make sure you set both practices up so that pupils are hitting towards the edge of the pitch and not towards another group.
Equipment
1 stick each, 1 ball each, 30+ cones, 4 goals, 4 x target e.g tackle bags/wickets
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What type of hit would you be doing if you sent it from your left hand side?
Q2.How can you get low enough to play the ball?
Q3.What happens if you use the back (rounded side) of the hockey stick?
Q4.Where should your eyes be looking when you are dribbling?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where should the ball be positioned when taking a hit out?
Q2.Who can touch the ball with their feet?
Q3.How should the stick be positioned when stopping the ball?
Q4.How can you master the skill of hitting a ball with accuracy and consistency?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Attacking play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Attacking play, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: tactics and strategies in hockey unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.