Defensive Tactics Progression
Hockey
•Year 5
•6 Lessons
This unit introduces Year 5 students to tactical hockey through a defence-first approach that builds understanding of game principles before advancing to complex attacking play. The emphasis is on developing decision-making skills under pressure whilst building technical competence with the hockey stick. Through progressive challenges, students learn that successful hockey requires both individual skill and collective tactical awareness.
Lessons in This Unit
6 lessons in this unit
Lesson 1
Big Question:
How can we work as a team to defend our goal and win possession back from attackers?
Key Objectives:
- • Explain the role of a defender in competitive hockey games
- • Perform the block tackle technique to dispossess attackers
Lesson 2
Big Question:
How can we use accurate passing and quick decision-making to create and convert scoring opportunities in the D?
Key Objectives:
- • To develop accurate passing skills to deliver the ball into the D effectively
- • To improve shooting technique and decision-making when receiving the ball in the D
Lesson 3
Big Question:
How can smart positioning and quick reactions help defenders stop attackers from scoring?
Key Objectives:
- • To understand and apply effective marking techniques in hockey
- • To develop skills in intercepting passes and blocking attacking movements
Lesson 4
Big Question:
How can we use the sweep hit to maintain possession and create attacking opportunities in hockey?
Key Objectives:
- • To develop the technique for performing a sweep hit with power and accuracy
- • To understand when and why to use long distance passes in game situations
Lesson 5
Big Question:
How can we use the drag technique to keep possession when defenders are putting us under pressure?
Key Objectives:
- • To keep possession as a team with pressure from defenders
- • To use dragging skills to move the ball away from defenders
Lesson 6
Big Question:
How can we work together as a team to successfully attack and defend in hockey?
Key Objectives:
- • To work cooperatively as a team to defend and attack effectively
- • To use simple hockey skills to maintain possession during game play