Lesson 7 - Hockey Stick Control and Passing
Ball Mastery Techniques
•Year 2
•Sending and Receiving
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we safely use a hockey stick to send and receive a ball with control and accuracy?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to send and receive a ball with a hockey stick safely and with control
- To understand correct hockey stick grip and stance
- To demonstrate progression from basic control to partner passing
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate safe hockey stick handling throughout all activities
- Students will send balls with improved accuracy using push pass technique
- Students will show increased confidence in ball control and receiving skills
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all sticks for damage, ensure appropriate length for students
Alternative: Plastic hockey sticks, mini hockey sticks for smaller students
Use tennis balls for authentic feel, foam balls for beginners
Alternative: Foam balls, larger soft balls for easier control
Various colours for different purposes, ensure visible from all angles
Alternative: Markers, spots, bean bags
Key Vocabulary
A technique for sending the ball using a smooth pushing action with the hockey stick
How to hold the hockey stick correctly with two hands
Moving the ball along the ground while maintaining control with the stick
The correct stance when holding a hockey stick: knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart
Stopping and controlling a ball that has been sent to you
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling with hands
- Understanding of sending and receiving concepts
- Experience with simple equipment use
Current Skills
- Hockey stick grip and stance
- Basic ball control with stick
- Push passing technique
- Ball receiving and stopping
Next Steps
- Moving while dribbling
- Passing under pressure
- Small-sided hockey games
- Tactical awareness in hockey
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Hockey stick safety - never above hip height - is the absolute priority throughout
- Correct two-handed grip with hands separated creates control and power
- Push pass technique requires stepping forward with left foot for maximum accuracy
- Soft touches and keeping ball close are essential for good dribbling control
- Partner safety positioning is crucial during all passing and shooting activities
- Progressive difficulty from static to moving practice builds confidence
- Positive encouragement and cooperation develop both skills and character
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking hockey is about hitting the ball hard rather than controlled pushing
- Believing one hand is sufficient for stick control
- Assuming faster movement always means better dribbling
- Expecting immediate accuracy without practice and technique focus
- Not understanding that safety rules apply even during exciting games
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with frequent changes, clear movement boundaries marked, additional movement breaks, fidget tools if needed
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, simplified grip instructions, additional practice time, physical guidance for technique, celebration of small improvements
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, consistent routines for equipment collection, quiet space available if overwhelmed, predictable partner arrangements
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, buddy system for navigation, tactile guidance for grip
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations with clear hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure good visual contact before speaking
physical disability
- Seated hockey option with modified rules, shorter or lighter sticks available, larger targets and closer distances, peer support partners
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following multi-step instructions, using technical vocabulary, describing technique and tactics
Maths
Measuring distances for goals and passing, counting consecutive passes, scoring and adding points during games
Science
Forces and motion in push passing, friction between ball and stick, balance and stability in stance
Art
Creating patterns and pathways with ball movement, understanding shapes in game formations
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and pathways during dribbling
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of activity area for maximum visibility, move to observe technique closely during skill practice
Observation Focus
Primary focus on stick height safety, secondary focus on technique development and social interaction
Intervention Points
["Immediately address any stick above hip height", "Step in if students struggling with basic grip", "Support pairs having difficulty with cooperation", "Assist with technique if fundamental errors persist"]
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate with exaggerated movements for visibility, emphasise safety aspects, show common mistakes to avoid, use student demonstrators when appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Stick down!' for height reminders
- •'Soft touches!' for ball control
- •'Step and push!' for passing technique
- •'Two hands!' for grip reminders
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor hard court area, minimum 20m x 30m clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, level surface free from holes, debris or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all hockey sticks for cracks, splinters or sharp edges
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Check stick length is appropriate for student height
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Hockey stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Slips and falls during movement
- •Collision between students during games
Risk Mitigation
- •Enforce strict stick height rule (below hip level) at all times
- •Ensure adequate spacing during all activities
- •Clear safety demonstrations before each activity
- •Partner safety positioning taught explicitly
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Immediate stop signal established and practised
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe stick height compliance across all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safety compliance
- •Check equipment handling during transitions
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on safety concern, assess injury, apply first aid as needed, contact office if required