Lesson 4 - Passing & Dribbling Skills
Advanced Skills Integration
•Year 4
•Hockey
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How can we combine passing and dribbling to outwit defenders and create shooting opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To develop passing and dribbling skills to create space for attacking opportunities
- To understand when to pass versus when to dribble based on game situations
- To apply tactical knowledge of creating and using space in hockey invasion games
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved passing accuracy and dribbling control under pressure
- Students will make effective decisions about when to pass or dribble in game situations
- Students will work collaboratively to create and execute attacking opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Check sticks are appropriate height for students (waist level)
Alternative: Unihoc sticks, mini hockey sticks
Use softer balls if students lack confidence
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety
For marking playing areas and goals
Alternative: Spots, markers
Various sizes for different difficulty levels
Alternative: Cone goals, bench goals
Different colours for teams and jokers
Alternative: Bands, pinnies
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball forward while maintaining close control using the hockey stick
Moving to areas where there are fewer defenders to receive a pass or make progress
Positioning yourself to help a teammate by offering a passing option
When your team has control of the ball
A situation where your team can advance towards goal or attempt to score
When a defender takes possession of the ball from an opponent's pass
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick control and ball manipulation
- Understanding of passing using push pass technique
- Simple dribbling in straight lines
- Basic rules of hockey including direction of play
Current Skills
- Passing accurately to moving targets under pressure
- Dribbling with changes of pace and direction
- Creating space through movement and positioning
- Decision-making between passing and dribbling options
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical combinations and team strategies
- Defending techniques and transition play
- Set plays and corner situations
- Tournament play with consistent application of skills
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Decision-making between passing and dribbling based on game situation and defender position
- Scanning and awareness while in possession to identify teammates and threats
- Creating space through purposeful movement away from defenders and into attacking areas
- Supporting teammates by positioning to offer viable passing options
- Accurate passing to feet of moving teammates with appropriate weight and timing
- Maintaining possession under pressure through close ball control and quick decision-making
- Team attack building through patient passing and movement to create shooting opportunities
Common Misconceptions
- Dribbling is always better than passing - correct by showing when quick passing beats defenders
- Good players never lose the ball - explain that losing possession is part of learning and improvement
- You must always pass to nearest teammate - demonstrate passing to best positioned player
- Creating space means running away from play - show moving to useful attacking positions
- Hockey is only about scoring goals - emphasise team play and creating opportunities
- Defending players are opponents to avoid - explain defenders help create realistic practice
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and rules, offer leadership responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, reduce complexity of movements initially, provide additional practice time
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet zones if overstimulated, use visual schedule of activities
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of movements, assign buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines
physical disability
- Modify equipment size and weight, allow seated play options, adjust playing area size as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting consecutive passes, measuring distances for passing practice, angles of movement and passing
Science
Understanding forces when striking ball, friction effects on ball movement, body systems during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and positioning, mapping movement patterns around playing area
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when losing possession, leadership during attacking plays
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of main playing area for visibility of all students, move regularly during activities
Observation Focus
Watch for application of passing and dribbling skills, team cooperation, and safe play
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggle with decision-making, safety concerns arise, or groups need tactical guidance
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for skill demonstrations. Position all students for optimal viewing angles.
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up!'
- •'Support your teammate!'
- •'Look for space!'
- •'Pass or dribble?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for main games, clear run-off areas around boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, appropriate for hockey ball use
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hockey sticks for splits or damage
- •Ensure stick height appropriate for each student
- •Balls properly inflated and not damaged
- •Goals stable and appropriately positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to body or face
- •Collisions during game play
- •Slips during directional changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Appropriate spacing between games and groups
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
- •Continuous monitoring of contact levels
- •Use of softer balls for lower confidence groups
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor high-activity areas like goals closely
- •Circulate regularly during small group work
- •Maintain awareness of student energy and fatigue levels
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school procedures if needed