Lesson 6 - Moving into Space After Passing
Foundation Skills & Tactics
•Year 4
•Hockey
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How can moving into space after passing help your team maintain possession and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the ability to move into space after passing the ball
- To understand tactical roles in attack and defence
- To apply passing and moving skills in competitive game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective movement into space after passing
- Students will show understanding of attacking and defending roles
- Students will apply tactical awareness in small-sided games
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length is appropriate - should reach student's hip bone when standing upright
Alternative: Shinty sticks, shortened floor hockey sticks
Tennis balls provide good visibility and appropriate weight for control practice
Alternative: Foam balls, street hockey balls
Use different colours to mark different areas - boundaries, goals, and drill markers
Alternative: Marker discs, pylons
Ensure contrast between teams for easy identification during games
Alternative: Coloured bibs, team shirts
Key Vocabulary
Passing the ball to a teammate then immediately moving to a new position to receive or support
An area on the pitch that is not occupied by defenders where you can receive the ball safely
Moving into a position where you can help the teammate with the ball by offering a passing option
When your team has control of the ball
Method used to restart play - two players tap sticks on ground then against each other before playing the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick handling and grip
- Fundamental passing technique
- Simple dribbling skills
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Moving into space after passing
- Tactical awareness in attack and defence
- Quick decision-making under pressure
- Communication with teammates
Next Steps
- Advanced passing combinations
- Creating overloads in attack
- Defensive pressing and marking
- Set piece strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Pass and move are connected actions - one follows immediately after the other
- Moving into space means going away from defenders, not towards them
- Support your teammates by offering them passing options
- Look up before passing to see where teammates have moved
- Quick passing prevents defenders from getting into position to intercept
- Space can be created through movement and clever positioning
- Moving after passing helps your team keep possession of the ball
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they can only move in straight lines - teach curved and angled runs
- Belief that passing hard makes it better - emphasise accuracy over power
- Assumption that space only exists far away - show close support positions
- Thinking only the ball carrier needs to move - teach off-ball movement
- Misconception that faster movement is always better - teach timing and patience
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with clear breaks, specific movement boundaries, regular praise and feedback, clear simple instructions
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, reduced complexity in movement patterns, extra practice time for coordination development
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedules showing lesson structure, designated quiet zones if needed, consistent routines and expectations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of space and movement, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and demonstrations, written instruction cards, clear visual cues for game rules and scoring
physical disability
- Seated versions of passing activities, modified equipment such as lighter sticks, adapted distances and smaller playing areas
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting passes in sequence, measuring distances for pitch setup, angles of passing, timing and rhythm in bully off sequence
Science
Forces involved in ball movement, friction between stick and ball, balance and coordination during movement, heart rate changes during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of directions and movement patterns, mapping movement around areas
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when making mistakes, leadership roles in games, respect for opponents and rules
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand on outside edge of teaching area where all groups are visible, move frequently to support different activities
Observation Focus
Watch for pass and move technique, safe stick handling, positive team interactions, and tactical understanding development
Intervention Points
Step in if students not grasping pass and move concept, if safety issues arise, or if groups need additional challenge or support
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for visibility. Involve students in demonstrations. Show both correct technique and common mistakes for contrast.
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass and move immediately!'
- •'Look for the space away from defenders!'
- •'Help your teammate by moving!'
- •'Sticks down and safe!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for class of 30, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Flat, dry surface free from holes, stones or debris that could cause trips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all hockey sticks for splinters, cracks or loose parts
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition and not split
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or broken parts
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick-to-stick contact during challenges
- •Collisions between students during movement
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Trips over equipment or other students
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about stick height - never above waist
- •Adequate spacing between activities and groups
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •No physical contact or tackling allowed
- •Clear boundaries and movement patterns established
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups simultaneously
- •Monitor stick handling throughout lesson
- •Watch for overcrowding in any areas
- •Be alert during transition periods
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safe and supervised