Foundation Skills Development Unit | The PE Dept

Foundation Skills Development Unit | The PE Dept

This unit introduces Year 3 students to hockey through a carefully sequenced progression of fundamental skills, building from individual ball control to tactical game application. The emphasis is on developing confident stick handling and spatial awareness whilst fostering teamwork and fair play values. Through questioning-led exploration, students discover how technical skills connect to tactical understanding, preparing them for invasion game concepts.

Lessons in This Unit

8 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Open Stick Dribbling

Big Question:

How can we move a hockey ball with control while keeping our eyes on where we're going?

Key Objectives:

• To demonstrate the correct grip and stance for hockey stick handling
• To perform open stick dribbling with increasing control and confidence

Lesson 2

Push Pass Technique

Big Question:

How can I send the ball accurately to help my team keep possession and create scoring opportunities?

Key Objectives:

• To develop the push pass technique with increasing accuracy and control
• To understand how movement into space supports team possession

Lesson 3

Receiving and Trapping the Ball

Big Question:

How can we use our hockey stick like a wall to stop and control the ball effectively?

Key Objectives:

• To be able to receive and trap the ball with increasing control
• To understand when and where to move into space to help the team

Lesson 4

Reverse Stick Dribbling and Control

Big Question:

How can mastering both open stick and reverse stick dribbling help you become unpredictable and successful in hockey?

Key Objectives:

• To develop dribbling using the reverse stick technique (Indian dribble)
• To understand when and why to use reverse stick dribbling in game situations

Lesson 5

Dribbling to Beat a Defender

Big Question:

How can you use changes in speed and direction to outsmart a defender and create scoring opportunities?

Key Objectives:

• To be able to dribble the ball with control using pull and spin techniques
• To apply speed and direction changes to beat defenders in game situations

Lesson 6

Moving into Space After Passing

Big Question:

How can I help my team by making clever movements after I pass the ball?

Key Objectives:

• To move into space after passing the ball to maintain possession
• To understand the importance of positioning in attack and defence

Lesson 7

Open Stick Tackle

Big Question:

How can we use defensive skills to prevent opponents from scoring in hockey?

Key Objectives:

• To be able to use an open stick tackle effectively
• To understand when and how to defend an opponent

Lesson 8

Tournament Application

Big Question:

How can we apply all our hockey skills fairly and tactically in a competitive tournament?

Key Objectives:

• To apply defending and attacking principles and skills in a hockey tournament
• To demonstrate understanding of hockey rules and fair play