Lesson 6 - Team Play and Competition
Defensive Tactics Progression
•Year 5
•Hockey
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we work together as a team to successfully attack and defend in hockey?
Learning Objectives
- To work cooperatively as a team to defend and attack effectively
- To use simple hockey skills to maintain possession during game play
- To explain and evaluate effective passages of play in hockey
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork in attack and defence
- Students will apply basic hockey skills to keep possession under pressure
- Students will analyse and explain successful team strategies
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all sticks for damage before use
Alternative: Pool noodles or short sticks for adaptation
Use softer balls if students are inexperienced
Alternative: Foam balls or tennis balls for safety
Goals should be proportionally large for pitch width
Alternative: Cones or markers to create goal areas
Used for pitch boundaries and D zones
Alternative: Markers or chalk lines
Ensure teams can easily identify each other
Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies
For timing game periods and activities
Alternative: Phone timer or clock
Track scores and points throughout tournament
Alternative: Simple paper scoring system
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball while maintaining control using only one hand on the stick
The side of your body where you can see the field clearly and dribble safely
Having control of the ball as a team
When the ball touches the curved back of the hockey stick, which is against the rules
A restart given to the opposing team when a rule is broken
The semi-circular area around the goal where players must be to score
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic stick handling and ball control
- Understanding of attacking and defending concepts
- Simple passing and receiving skills
Current Skills
- One-handed dribbling technique on open side
- Team coordination in attack and defence
- Game understanding and rule application
Next Steps
- Advanced dribbling under pressure
- Complex team formations and strategies
- Tactical decision-making in competitive situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- One-handed dribbling requires constant stick-ball contact on the open side
- Teamwork in hockey means supporting each other in both attack and defence
- Good hockey players keep their heads up to see teammates and space
- Tournament play requires understanding rules and applying them fairly
- Effective team communication helps everyone know their role
- Sportsmanship is as important as skill development in competitive situations
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking hockey is just about individual dribbling skills - correct by emphasising team play
- Believing you can score from anywhere - reinforce D zone rule consistently
- Using both hands on stick automatically - practice one-handed grip regularly
- Assuming contact with opponents is allowed - maintain strict no-contact policy
- Focusing only on winning rather than skill development and fair play
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter game periods with frequent breaks, clear boundaries and rules, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Simplified stick handling, larger balls, reduced game complexity, extra practice time for skills
autism spectrum
- Clear routines for tournament format, visual schedule of games, quiet zone available if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, verbal descriptions of play, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of rules and tactics, hand signals for game management, written rule reminders
physical disability
- Adapted sticks or seated play options, modified pitch sizes, alternative roles in team management
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication during team play, listening skills, vocabulary development
Maths
Counting goals and points, calculating goal differences, tournament statistics and standings
Science
Forces in ball movement, reaction times, cardiovascular effects during competition
Geography
Spatial awareness, positioning strategies, understanding of pitch boundaries and zones
PSHE
Leadership skills, teamwork, dealing with winning and losing, respect for opponents
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position to oversee multiple games, rotate between pitches regularly
Observation Focus
Team cooperation, skill application under pressure, rule understanding
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe play, rule clarification, or team cooperation issues
Demonstration Notes
Show examples of good team play during games, highlight positive rule following
Verbal Cues
- •'Use your one-handed dribbling!'
- •'Work as a team!'
- •'Remember the rules!'
- •'Great teamwork!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Multiple 30m x 20m areas or adapted to available space
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards and suitable for running
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all sticks for cracks or splintering
- •Ensure balls are in good condition
- •Goals securely positioned and stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact between players
- •Collisions during fast play
- •Trips and falls during direction changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear no-contact rules enforced
- •Adequate spacing between game areas
- •Progressive skill building before competition
- •Continuous supervision of all games
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to view multiple games simultaneously
- •Move between games to monitor rule compliance
- •Immediate intervention for unsafe play
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support as needed