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Lesson 7 - Hockey Stick Ball Control

Body Parts & Equipment Skills

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Year 1

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Sending and Receiving

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Big Question

How can we use a hockey stick to control and send a ball safely and accurately?

Learning Objectives

To be able to send and receive a ball with a hockey stick safely
To develop basic hockey stick handling and ball control skills
To understand and apply the correct grip and stance for hockey

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate safe use of hockey equipment with proper grip and stance
Students will successfully send a ball using a push pass technique
Students will stop and control a ball using basic hockey stick positioning

Equipment & Resources Required

Hockey sticks

30 (1 per student)

Check all sticks for damage and appropriate length for students

Alternative: Unihoc sticks, shortened hockey sticks for younger students

Tennis Balls

30 (1 per student)

Balls should be evenly distributed around the playing area perimeter

Alternative: Foam balls for beginners, larger rubber balls for SEND students

Cones

Various colours to help with organisation and group identification

Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk circles

Key Vocabulary

Push pass

A technique to send the ball by pushing it smoothly with the hockey stick

Grip

How to hold the hockey stick correctly with both hands

Dribbling

Moving the ball along the ground with small touches from the hockey stick

Control

Stopping and keeping the ball close using the hockey stick

Stance

The correct body position when holding a hockey stick

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic ball rolling and stopping with hands
Simple sending and receiving skills using hands
Understanding of personal space and safety

Current Skills

Correct hockey stick grip with two hands
Basic push pass technique
Ball stopping and control with hockey stick
Safe movement whilst dribbling

Next Steps

More accurate passing over longer distances
Hockey stick dribbling at speed
Simple hockey games and tactics
Defending and intercepting skills

Milestone Indicators

Maintains correct grip throughout activities

Keeps stick below hip height consistently

Ball travels in intended direction when passing

Shows improvement in ball stopping accuracy

Key Teaching Points

Hockey stick must never rise above hip height for safety
Correct grip: right hand halfway down, left hand at top of stick
Push pass technique: step forward with left foot, smooth pushing action
Ball control: use soft touches to keep ball close to stick
Safety awareness: always be aware of others when moving with equipment
Cooperation: work effectively with partners and in small groups
Progressive challenge: choose appropriate difficulty level for individual ability

Common Misconceptions

Students often try to 'hit' the ball like in other sports - emphasise pushing action instead
Many students put hands too close together on stick - regularly check and correct grip
Some students forget safety rules when excited - constant reinforcement needed
Students may focus only on power rather than control - emphasise accuracy over force
Some may think hockey is only for older students - build confidence through success

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short activity segments with clear start/stop signals, regular movement breaks, clear boundaries for activities, positive reinforcement frequently

dyspraxia

Use larger balls for easier tracking, reduce complexity of movements initially, provide extra practice time, break skills into smaller steps

autism spectrum

Clear routine explanation at start, visual schedule of activities, quiet area available if needed, prepare for activity changes with warnings

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide clear verbal descriptions of all activities, pair with sighted buddy for support and guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written instruction cards, and ensure students can see teacher's face for lip reading

physical disability

Provide shorter or lighter sticks if needed, allow seated position for some activities, modify distances and targets, provide additional adult support

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting points scored, measuring distances with steps, understanding of space and angles when passing

Science

Forces involved in pushing the ball, friction between ball and surface, body systems working during exercise

Geography

Directional language (left/right, forward/backward), spatial awareness and navigation around obstacles

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during challenges, celebrating others' successes, perseverance

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly around the area to observe all students, positioning at corners for maximum visibility during games

Observation Focus

Monitor stick height, grip technique, ball control quality, and student cooperation throughout lesson

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for unsafe stick use, provide individual support for struggling students, adjust activity difficulty as needed

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements when demonstrating techniques, involve confident students in demonstrations, always demonstrate safety rules explicitly

Verbal Cues

•'Two hands on the stick!'
•'Keep it low - hip height maximum!'
•'Smooth pushing action!'
•'Soft touches for control!'
•'Eyes up to see where you're going!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m indoor or outdoor space, clear of obstacles and with appropriate surface

Surface Check

Even surface free from holes, wet patches, or debris that could cause slips or trips

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•All hockey sticks checked for cracks, splinters, or loose parts before lesson
•Tennis balls inspected for wear - replace any with visible damage
•Cones checked for sharp edges or cracks that could cause injury

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Stick contact between students or to body parts
•Slips and falls during movement activities
•Ball strikes to face or body
•Collisions during game activities

Risk Mitigation

•Strict enforcement of hip-height rule for sticks throughout lesson
•Adequate spacing maintained between students during all activities
•Clear safety instructions given before each new activity
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all students during activities
•Move around groups during practice to monitor technique and safety
•Pay particular attention to stick height and control during games

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, and follow school emergency protocols