Lesson 3 - Dribbling and Passing Skills
Possession Skills Progression
•Year 3
•Hockey
•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 use dribbling and passing together to outsmart our opponents and keep possession in hockey?
Learning Objectives
- To combine dribbling and passing skills to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities
- To understand when, where and why to choose between dribbling and passing
- To work effectively as a team to create space and support teammates
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate fluid combination of dribbling and passing in game situations
- Students will make tactical decisions about when to dribble versus when to pass
- Students will show understanding of space creation and team support play
Equipment & Resources Required
Check appropriate length - stick should reach student's hip bone
Alternative: Unihoc sticks, shortened hockey sticks
Store in mesh bag, distribute around area perimeter
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for beginners
Set up in pairs to create gates throughout playing area
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, hoops
Position around perimeter of playing area
Alternative: Cone goals, marked areas on walls
Different colours for different teams in tournament
Alternative: Coloured bands, team identifiers
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball along the ground using short controlled touches with the hockey stick
Moving the ball from one player to another using the hockey stick
Moving into areas away from opponents to receive the ball or draw defenders away
When your team has control of the ball
Using both dribbling and passing skills together to beat opponents
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick grip and ball control
- Simple passing to stationary targets
- Understanding of personal space and boundaries
Current Skills
- Combining dribbling and passing in sequence
- Creating and using space effectively
- Making tactical decisions under pressure
Next Steps
- Defending and tackling techniques
- Advanced shooting and goal scoring
- Full game strategy and positioning
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise decision-making between dribbling and passing based on game situation
- Highlight the importance of communication and movement off the ball
- Focus on creating and using space effectively through intelligent positioning
- Stress that possession is more valuable than individual skill demonstration
- Celebrate tactical awareness and team play over individual success
- Reinforce safety through controlled stick work and spatial awareness
- Connect skills practice to game application throughout the lesson
Common Misconceptions
- Students often think dribbling is always better than passing - correct by showing when passing creates better opportunities
- Many believe they must always try to score individually - emphasise that team goals are more important than personal glory
- Some think faster movement always equals better play - teach that controlled movement with good decisions is more effective
- Students may assume static positioning is sufficient - demonstrate the importance of constant movement to create options
- Many think only the player with the ball needs to think tactically - show how off-ball movement creates space for everyone
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with frequent changes, clear and simple instructions, provide movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment for easier handling, break skills into smaller steps, provide extra practice time and encouragement
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet zones for breaks, use visual schedules for activity sequence
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of playing area layout, implement buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and hand gestures for instructions, provide written rule summaries, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Adapt to seated play where appropriate, use larger/lighter equipment, modify playing areas and distances
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills during team play, descriptive language for tactics and movement
Maths
Scoring systems and point calculations, spatial awareness and angles, data collection from tournament results
Science
Forces applied through hockey stick to ball, friction between ball and surface, physics of ball movement
Geography
Directional language and spatial concepts, mapping movement patterns around playing area
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, respect for others and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during activities to provide individual coaching, position centrally during demonstrations for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical decision-making, effective communication between students, safe stick control and positive team dynamics
Intervention Points
Step in if safety rules are broken, if students become frustrated with challenges, or if tactical understanding needs clarification
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for technique demonstrations, involve students in tactical demonstrations, celebrate good examples during activities
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up, look for space!'
- •'Talk to your teammate!'
- •'Soft touches with the stick!'
- •'Where's the best pass?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m playing area, preferably larger for multiple game zones
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris or slippery patches
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Hockey sticks checked for damage - no splits, sharp edges or loose joints
- •Balls properly inflated and in good condition
- •Cones stable and not cracked
- •Goals secure and appropriately sized
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to face/body
- •Collisions during dynamic play
- •Trips and falls on equipment
Risk Mitigation
- •Strict rules about stick height - never above waist
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
- •Emphasis on controlled movement and spatial awareness
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups during multi-activity phases
- •Monitor stick control throughout lesson
- •Watch for dangerous play during tournament games
- •Ensure defensive play remains non-contact
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, apply appropriate first aid, seek additional support if required