New
New
Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 10

Attacking play

I can use open side hits to advance the ball safely down the pitch and score goals.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 10

Attacking play

I can use open side hits to advance the ball safely down the pitch and score goals.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: hitting the ball when it’s about a stick length away and slightly in front of you helps you generate more power.
  2. Move: bending your knees lowers your body, helping you place the stick flat for a larger stopping surface.
  3. Think: the ball can not be touched with your feet unless you are the goalkeeper.
  4. Feel: accurate long hits require persistence and practice to master.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Attacking play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Make sure you set both practices up so that pupils are hitting towards the edge of the pitch and not towards another group.
Teacher tip

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

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 type of hit would you be doing if you sent it from your left hand side?

direct hit
right side hit
Correct answer: reverse stick hit

Q2.
How can you get low enough to play the ball?

Indian dribble
Correct answer: bend your knees
bend your back

Q3.
What happens if you use the back (rounded side) of the hockey stick?

Correct answer: opposition free hit
a push back
play on

Q4.
Where should your eyes be looking when you are dribbling?

at the ball
to the sky
Correct answer: at the pitch

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where should the ball be positioned when taking a hit out?

behind you
Correct answer: in front of you
on the left

Q2.
Who can touch the ball with their feet?

midfielder
sweeper
Correct answer: goalkeeper

Q3.
How should the stick be positioned when stopping the ball?

Correct answer: flat across ground
held upright
in the air

Q4.
How can you master the skill of hitting a ball with accuracy and consistency?

hit harder
Correct answer: practice more
swing faster