Lesson 6 - Game Rules & Application
Tactical Skills Foundations
•Year 3
•Hockey
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How can we use the skills we've learned to play exciting hockey games while following the rules?
Learning Objectives
- Grasp and use some of the basic rules of the game
- Play avoiding controlling the ball with your feet
- Implement skills learned throughout the unit in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will apply basic hockey rules during competitive games
- Students will demonstrate foot avoidance when playing hockey
- Students will transfer previously learned skills into game contexts
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length appropriate for each student
Alternative: Plastic floor hockey sticks for beginners
Ensure balls are regulation size and weight
Alternative: Foam balls for indoor play
Position goals securely to prevent tipping
Alternative: Cones or markers to create goal areas
Ensure goals are stable and safe
Alternative: Netball posts or marked areas on wall
Distribute before teams are formed
Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies
Create clear, visible pitch boundaries
Alternative: Rope or chalk lines for boundaries
Designate scorekeepers for each game
Alternative: Laminated score sheets
Key Vocabulary
A restart given to the opposing team when a rule is broken
When the ball touches the curved back of the hockey stick
Restart when ball goes out of play at the side
The difference between goals scored and goals conceded
Tournament format where every team plays every other team once
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic stick handling and ball control
- Simple passing and receiving techniques
- Understanding of hockey grip and stance
Current Skills
- Applying rules in competitive situations
- Avoiding foot contact under pressure
- Combining skills in game contexts
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical awareness
- Complex rule applications
- Leadership roles in games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Feet must stay away from the ball at all times - use only the stick
- Free pass awarded to opposition where rule violations occur
- 3v2 format balances competition - team of 3 has multiple small goals, team of 2 has one large goal
- Fair play and sportsmanship are more important than winning
- Apply skills learned throughout the unit in competitive game situations
Common Misconceptions
- That using feet is acceptable under pressure - reinforce stick-only rule consistently
- That 3v2 format is unfair - explain the goal advantage balancing system
- That winning is the only measure of success - emphasise effort and skill development
- That rules don't matter in competitive games - maintain standards throughout
- That individual play is better than teamwork - encourage passing and cooperation
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback and movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Simplified stick grip aids, larger balls for easier control, additional practice time for skill development
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of tournament format, quiet area available, predictable routine structure
visual impairment
- Brightly coloured balls and equipment, verbal commentary during games, buddy system with sighted partner
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game start/stop, written rule reminders, demonstration-based learning
physical disability
- Seated hockey variation, modified stick length, adapted goal sizes and distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Scoring systems, points calculation, tournament statistics, goal differences, time management
Science
Forces in ball movement, friction on different surfaces, balance and coordination
Geography
Spatial awareness, field positioning, direction and movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork skills, leadership roles, fair play, managing competition emotions, respect for others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Circulate between games, position at corners for maximum visibility of multiple pitches
Observation Focus
Watch for rule compliance, skill application, safety issues, and fair play behaviours
Intervention Points
Step in for safety concerns, rule clarifications, team balance issues, or unsporting behaviour
Demonstration Notes
Use student examples during play, pause games for teaching moments, model positive sportsmanship
Verbal Cues
- •'Sticks down, feet away!'
- •'Great passing - use your teammates!'
- •'Play fair, play hard!'
- •'Watch the ball, not your feet!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large sports hall or outdoor area minimum 30m x 20m for multiple pitches
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from water or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Hockey sticks appropriate size and condition
- •Balls properly inflated and not cracked
- •Goals securely positioned and stable
- •Bibs and boundaries clearly visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Falls during competitive play
- •Ball strikes to body or head
- •Collisions between players
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about stick height and use
- •Adequate spacing between playing areas
- •Controlled game format with teacher supervision
- •Progressive skill building before competition
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all playing areas
- •Move between games to monitor safety
- •Immediate intervention for unsafe play
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school procedures if needed