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Lesson 4 - Attacking Skills & Officiating

Individual To Team Play

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Year 5

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Hockey

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Big Question

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

Hockey sticks

1 per student (30)

Check stick length appropriate for each student - should reach hip bone

Alternative: Unihoc sticks, plastic hockey sticks for beginners

Hockey balls

6-8 balls

Use bright coloured balls for better visibility

Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety with beginners

Goals

2 large goals

Position goals 30-40m apart depending on available space

Alternative: Cones 2m apart, benches on their side, target areas marked with chalk

Cones

20 cones

Use to mark channels, boundaries and central dividing line

Alternative: Chalk lines, bibs, rope

Bibs

15 bibs in contrasting colours

Ensure clear team identification for officiating practice

Alternative: Different coloured PE shirts, arm bands

Whistles

3.5 whistles

For students taking officiating roles during games

Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals only

Key Vocabulary

Channel

A marked area on the side of the pitch where attacking players can move to create space

Officiating

Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and apply the rules correctly

Creating Space

Moving to areas where there are fewer defenders to receive the ball safely

Shooting Opportunity

A good position and moment to attempt to score a goal

Possession

When your team has control of the ball

Free Hit

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

Consistently creates shooting opportunities through skill combination

Makes appropriate decisions about when to pass, dribble or shoot

Demonstrates fair and accurate officiating

Shows tactical awareness in attack and defence transitions

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