Lesson 4 - Attacking Skills & Officiating
Individual To Team Play
•Year 5
•Hockey
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How do we create and execute successful attacking plays while maintaining fair play through officiating?
Learning Objectives
- To refine attacking skills including passing, dribbling and shooting in game situations
- To understand and apply the principles of creating space and shooting opportunities
- To develop understanding of hockey rules and begin officiating own games
Key Outcomes
- Students will combine passing, moving and dribbling to create shooting opportunities
- Students will understand when, where and why to apply different attacking skills
- Students will officiate games fairly and understand the importance of rules
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length appropriate for each student - should reach hip bone
Alternative: Unihoc sticks, plastic hockey sticks for beginners
Use bright coloured balls for better visibility
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety with beginners
Position goals 30-40m apart depending on available space
Alternative: Cones 2m apart, benches on their side, target areas marked with chalk
Use to mark channels, boundaries and central dividing line
Alternative: Chalk lines, bibs, rope
Ensure clear team identification for officiating practice
Alternative: Different coloured PE shirts, arm bands
For students taking officiating roles during games
Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals only
Key Vocabulary
A marked area on the side of the pitch where attacking players can move to create space
Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and apply the rules correctly
Moving to areas where there are fewer defenders to receive the ball safely
A good position and moment to attempt to score a goal
When your team has control of the ball
A restart given when the ball hits a player's foot or other infringement occurs
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick handling and ball control
- Understanding of invasion game principles
- Simple passing and receiving skills
- Basic understanding of attacking and defending roles
Current Skills
- Refined passing accuracy and timing
- Purposeful dribbling to create space
- Shooting technique and opportunity recognition
- Understanding and applying hockey rules
- Officiating and fair play principles
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical understanding in game situations
- Complex attacking patterns and set plays
- Leadership in officiating and coaching others
- Competitive game management and strategy
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Channels create space and attacking opportunities by spreading out the defence
- Effective attacking requires combination of passing, dribbling and movement
- Good referees are fair, confident and help the game flow smoothly
- Creating shooting opportunities requires tactical awareness and skill execution
- Respect for officials and rules is essential for enjoyable, safe games
- Quick ball movement through channels disrupts defensive organisation
- Attackers should use width and depth to stretch the defence
Common Misconceptions
- Channels are just for hiding from defenders (they're for creating space and attacking opportunities)
- Good referees never make mistakes (they make fair decisions and learn from experience)
- Attacking is just about running fast with the ball (it requires tactics, passing and teamwork)
- Only skilled players can be good referees (fairness and rule knowledge are more important than playing ability)
- Channels should always be used (they're one tactical option among many)
- Referees should stop play for every minor contact (game flow is important for enjoyment)
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter game segments, clear role definitions, regular positive feedback, movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified games initially, extra practice time for skill development, step-by-step rule explanations
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson sections, consistent routines, quiet zones available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of channel positions, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for referee decisions, clear hand signals for game instructions, written game rules available
physical disability
- Modified sticks or equipment, smaller playing areas, adapted rules for mobility levels, seated participation options
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills in officiating, vocabulary development through technical terms
Maths
Counting passes and scoring, measuring distances for free hits, calculating angles for best shooting positions
Science
Understanding forces in passing and shooting, energy transfer in ball movement, body systems during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of field layout and tactical positioning
PSHE
Fair play and integrity, leadership through officiating, teamwork and cooperation
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between games to observe attacking patterns and support referee development
Observation Focus
Channel usage effectiveness, attacking combination play, referee confidence and decision quality
Intervention Points
Step in if rules confusion arises, safety concerns develop, or referee needs support
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements to show channel usage and referee signals, involve students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Use the channels to create space!'
- •'Look up before you pass!'
- •'Referees, trust your decisions!'
- •'Great attacking move - tell me why it worked!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m for full games, adequate space between playing areas
Surface Check
Level surface free from holes, debris or wet patches that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hockey sticks for damage or splinters
- •Ensure balls are in good condition and appropriate type
- •Verify goals are stable and properly positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other players
- •Ball strikes to players
- •Collisions during intense game play
- •Slips and falls on playing surface
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about stick height and safe play
- •Adequate spacing between games
- •Referee awareness of dangerous play
- •Regular reminders about safety
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all games simultaneously
- •Monitor referee decision making and safety management
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safe play
Emergency Procedures
Stop all games immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, inform other staff if required