Lesson 1 - Push Pass and Game Application
Progressive Skills & Game Tactics
•Year 4
•Hockey
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How can accurate passing help a team work together to attack a goal successfully?
Learning Objectives
- Perform a push pass with accuracy using correct technique
- Work collaboratively as a team to attack and score goals
- Explain how accurate passes create attacking opportunities
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate consistent push pass technique with partner
- Students will show effective teamwork in small-sided games
- Students will articulate how passing creates goal-scoring chances
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length appropriate for each student
Alternative: Foam sticks for younger students or safety concerns
Distributed around area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for indoor use
Mark playing areas, goals, and boundaries clearly
Alternative: Markers, bibs, chalk lines
Ensure clear team distinction for game scenarios
Alternative: Different coloured bands, house colours
Key Vocabulary
A hockey pass where the ball is pushed along the ground using the flat side of the stick
Left hand at top of stick, right hand in middle, forming a 'V' shape
Standing with shoulder pointing towards target, feet wider than shoulder-width
Moving body weight from back foot to front foot during the pass
Angling the stick face slightly towards the ground to keep ball low
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick grip and control
- Understanding of team games concepts
- Simple ball control with stick
Current Skills
- Push pass technique development
- Collaborative attacking play
- Decision-making in possession
Next Steps
- Receiving passes on the move
- Advanced passing techniques
- Defensive positioning and tackling
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain correct grip throughout all activities - left hand top, right hand middle
- Emphasise side-on position for push pass - shoulder pointing to target
- No backswing required - stick rests against back of ball
- Weight transfer from back to front foot provides power and accuracy
- Keep stick face closed to maintain low ball trajectory
- Collaborative attacking more effective than individual play
- Pass, move, and support teammates for successful goal scoring
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking a backswing is needed for power - correct with weight transfer focus
- Believing hitting hard equals good passing - emphasise accuracy over power
- Assuming individual play is better than teamwork - demonstrate collaborative success
- Thinking stick face should be open - show closed face for control
- Misconception that hockey is about winning ball every time - teach patience in 4v2
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Short activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback, movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Larger balls initially, simplified technique focus, extra practice time, step-by-step breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet reflection time available
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for support
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for game rules, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Seated hockey version possible, modified stick length, adapted distances for comfort
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for passing, angles of approach, counting successful passes and goals
Science
Forces and motion in passing, weight transfer physics, ball trajectory
Geography
Directions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns across playing area
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, resilience when learning new skills, respect for others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Corner position during warm-up for full area visibility, central during demonstrations, mobile during practice
Observation Focus
Grip quality, weight transfer in passing, collaborative behaviour in games, safety awareness
Intervention Points
Poor technique development, unsafe stick use, exclusion in team activities, frustration with skills
Demonstration Notes
Exaggerate key technique points, use students as positive examples, repeat demonstrations as needed
Verbal Cues
- •'Side on position!'
- •'Weight from back to front!'
- •'Stick face closed!'
- •'Pass and move!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m area, additional space around boundaries for safe play
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from debris, suitable for hockey stick use
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hockey sticks for damage, splinters, or loose heads
- •Ensure balls are appropriate weight and condition
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes from wild shots or passes
- •Slips and falls during movement
- •Collisions during game play
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise controlled stick use throughout lesson
- •Maintain adequate spacing between activities
- •Progress skills gradually from static to dynamic
- •Clear boundaries and rules for game situations
- •Non-contact rule strictly enforced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility during all activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Intervene immediately for unsafe behaviour
- •Maintain awareness of individual student needs
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact office if required