Lesson 4 - Passing, Receiving and Dribbling
Possession Skills Progression
•Year 3
•Hockey
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How can we combine passing and dribbling to create space and keep possession?
Learning Objectives
- To develop passing accuracy and timing in game situations
- To improve receiving skills under pressure with good first touch
- To understand when to dribble versus when to pass for maximum effectiveness
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved passing accuracy in 3v1 possession games
- Students will show better ball control when receiving passes at speed
- Students will make tactical decisions about when to pass or dribble in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Check for correct length - stick should reach student's hip when standing upright
Alternative: Unihoc sticks, rounders bats for adapted version
Distribute around perimeter of playing area
Alternative: Soft play balls, tennis balls for beginners
Use for boundaries and target areas
Alternative: Markers, bean bags
For team identification in games
Alternative: Coloured bands, team cards
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball forward with your stick using small, controlled touches
Sending the ball accurately to a teammate using your stick
Controlling the ball when it comes to you from a pass
The first contact you make with the ball when receiving it
Having control of the ball as a team
Moving away from defenders to give yourself more room to play
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic stick holding technique
- Simple ball pushing and stopping
- Understanding of personal space and boundaries
Current Skills
- Accurate passing over 5-10 metres
- Receiving with good first touch control
- Dribbling with changes of direction and speed
Next Steps
- Passing under defensive pressure
- One-touch passing combinations
- Advanced dribbling skills and feints
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always emphasise safety through proper stick handling and no-tackling rules
- Focus on accuracy before power in all passing activities
- Encourage looking up during dribbling to develop game awareness
- Use positive reinforcement to build confidence in skill development
- Connect individual skills to team success in game situations
- Provide clear demonstrations of all key techniques before practice
- Adapt challenges to individual ability levels throughout the lesson
Common Misconceptions
- Students think harder passes are always better - emphasise accuracy and appropriate power
- Belief that dribbling is always better than passing - teach decision making about when each is appropriate
- Assumption that only the receiver can score - explain how team play creates opportunities
- Thinking hockey is just about individual skills - highlight importance of teamwork and communication
- Misconception that mistakes mean failure - emphasise learning through practice and improvement
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive feedback, use clear visual boundaries for activities
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment for better control, allow extra practice time, break skills into smaller steps with more repetition
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, establish quiet zones if needed, maintain consistent routines throughout
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and sticks, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for key instructions, position where student can see teacher clearly
physical disability
- Adapt to seated hockey version, use larger lighter sticks, modify distances and playing area size as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for passing accuracy, timing activities, counting successful passes and calculating percentages
Science
Understanding forces in passing power, friction between stick and ball, body mechanics during movement
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and movement patterns, mapping team positions and movements
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, leadership skills during team activities
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corners of activities for maximum visibility, move around during games to monitor all players
Observation Focus
Watch for correct stick technique, spatial awareness, and safe movement patterns throughout
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe stick use occurs, if no-tackling rule is broken, or if students show signs of frustration
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for key teaching points, demonstrate both correct and incorrect technique for clarity, involve students in demonstrations when safe
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft hands for receiving!'
- •'Pass when under pressure!'
- •'Look up when dribbling!'
- •'Move to space to help your team!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m indoor space or equivalent outdoor area, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Non-slip surface suitable for hockey activities, check for loose equipment or hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hockey sticks for damage or splintering
- •Ensure balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick collisions during close play
- •Ball strikes to body or face
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Collisions between students during games
Risk Mitigation
- •Enforce no tackling rule consistently
- •Maintain adequate spacing between activities
- •Teach safe stick handling throughout
- •Clear boundaries for all activities
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
- •Ensure no tackling rule is followed
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or call for medical support as needed