Lesson 2 - Passing and Receiving with Control
Possession Skills Progression
•Year 3
•Hockey
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How can we use accurate passing and receiving to keep possession of the ball?
Learning Objectives
- To develop accurate passing technique using the hockey stick
- To control and receive the ball with increasing confidence
- To understand when and where to pass to maintain possession
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate correct grip and passing technique
- Students will receive passes with control using their stick
- Students will make tactical decisions about when to pass in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Check appropriate length - stick should reach student's hip
Alternative: Large plastic hockey sticks, unihoc sticks
Use softer balls indoors, regulation balls on suitable surfaces
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety
Different colours for gates and targets
Alternative: Markers, bean bags
For team identification in games
Alternative: Coloured bands, teams by clothing
Key Vocabulary
How we hold the hockey stick - left hand at top, right hand lower down
Sliding the ball along the ground using the flat side of the stick
Stopping and keeping the ball close to your stick
An empty area where you can move to receive a pass safely
When your team has control of the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with hands and feet from other sports
- Understanding of working with a partner
- Basic spatial awareness and movement
Current Skills
- Hockey stick grip and basic technique
- Accurate passing to stationary and moving targets
- Receiving and controlling with the stick
- Moving into space to receive passes
Next Steps
- Passing under pressure from defenders
- Creating and using space in small-sided games
- Combining passing with dribbling skills
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Correct grip is fundamental - left hand at top controls direction
- Push pass technique - step forward and follow through low
- Receiving requires soft contact to cushion the ball
- Moving into space helps the team keep possession
- Communication makes passing more effective
- Practice accuracy before adding speed or pressure
- Safety first - sticks stay low and controlled at all times
Common Misconceptions
- Harder passes are better - actually control and accuracy matter most
- Only the best players should get the ball - everyone should be involved
- Hockey is just about hitting the ball hard - passing and control are key skills
- You can't play hockey without running fast - good positioning is more important
- Defending means taking the ball away - intercepting passes is equally valuable
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries and expectations, regular positive reinforcement, movement opportunities
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment initially, reduced complexity of tasks, extra practice time, step-by-step breakdowns
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations emphasised, hand signals for instructions, written/pictorial instructions available
physical disability
- Seated hockey variations, modified stick lengths, adapted distances, alternative ways to participate
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting passes and scores, measuring distances, understanding angles for passing
Science
Forces and motion in passing, friction between ball and surface, body systems during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and positioning, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when learning new skills, communication and leadership
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for optimal viewing angles, central position for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip, ball control, spatial awareness, and safe play
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for safety issues, provide technique support during practice
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate from multiple angles, use confident students for peer demonstration
Verbal Cues
- •'Left hand at top, right hand lower!'
- •'Push, don't hit the ball!'
- •'Move into space to help your team!'
- •'Soft touches for control!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for full lesson, adaptable to hall space
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from debris and obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Hockey sticks appropriate length for each student
- •Check sticks for damage or splinters
- •Use softer balls indoors or for beginners
- •Ensure adequate stick to student ratio
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Collisions during movement activities
- •Trips and falls from equipment
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Minimum 2-metre spacing during individual practice
- •Sticks kept low at all times
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Clear rules about stick carrying and usage
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Intervene immediately for unsafe stick use
- •Ensure understanding of safety rules before activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required