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Lesson 2 - Defending: Blocking and Tackling

Individual To Team Play

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Year 5

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Hockey

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58 min

Big Question

How can we work as a defensive team to stop attacks and regain possession?

Learning Objectives

To develop knowledge and understanding of defending techniques including marking, tackling and blocking
To apply basic defending tactics during hockey games
To understand the roles and responsibilities when defending as a team

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate safe and effective tackling techniques
Students will understand and apply man-to-man marking principles
Students will work collaboratively to defend as a team and prevent scoring opportunities

Equipment & Resources Required

Hockey sticks

1 per student (30)

Check sticks are appropriate height (waist level when standing upright)

Alternative: Unihoc sticks for indoor use

Hockey balls

15 (1 per 2 students)

Ensure balls are regulation weight and not damaged

Alternative: Tennis balls for beginners, foam balls for indoor

Cones

20-25

Bright colours for clear visibility of boundaries

Alternative: Markers, bibs as boundary markers

Bibs

15 (half class)

Two contrasting colours for team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or different coloured tops

Goals

4-6 small goals

Positioned safely away from walls and other hazards

Alternative: Cone goals (2 cones 1m apart)

Key Vocabulary

Tackling

Using the hockey stick to legally challenge an opponent and regain possession of the ball

Blocking

Positioning body and stick to prevent the ball passing through or stopping a shot

Man-to-man marking

A defensive strategy where each defender is assigned to mark a specific attacker

Goal-side

Positioning yourself between the attacker you're marking and the goal

Intercepting

Reading the game to position yourself to catch or deflect passes between opponents

Pressure

Closing down space and time available to an attacker to force errors

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 attacking and defending roles
Simple marking and positioning concepts from Year 4

Current Skills

Safe tackling technique execution
Man-to-man marking application
Blocking and intercepting skills
Team defensive coordination

Next Steps

Advanced defensive tactics and formations
Transition from defence to attack
Zone defence concepts

Milestone Indicators

Students can tackle without fouling

Students maintain goal-side positioning

Students communicate effectively when defending

Students work as a coordinated defensive unit

Key Teaching Points

Safety in tackling is paramount - always play the ball, not the player
Goal-side positioning is crucial for effective marking and defending
Blocking and tackling are different techniques for different situations
Pressure defending can force errors without needing to tackle
Communication between defenders improves team defending effectiveness
Man-to-man marking requires following opponent's movements closely
Good defenders anticipate and read the game rather than just reacting

Common Misconceptions

Defending is only about tackling - actually includes positioning, marking, and pressure
Aggressive tackling is more effective - controlled, patient defending is more successful
Defenders should always watch the ball - need to mark players without the ball too
Tackling requires lunging or diving in - best tackles are controlled and balanced
Bigger/stronger students are automatically better defenders - technique and reading the game are more important

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries, use positive behaviour reinforcement frequently

dyspraxia

Simplify stick handling requirements, provide extra practice time, use larger equipment for easier handling

autism spectrum

Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedule of lesson activities, create quiet zone if needed for regulation

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide detailed verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for key coaching points

physical disability

Adapt stick length if needed, allow seated defending position, modify rules to suit physical capabilities

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Angles of approach for tackles, spatial awareness and positioning, timing and measurement during activities

Science

Forces involved in tackles and blocks, physics of ball movement, body mechanics during defensive movements

Geography

Directional language (goal-side, left/right), mapping movements around pitch, spatial relationships

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation in defence, resilience when facing challenges, respect for opponents and rules

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Position to see all students during demonstrations, move between groups during practice activities

Observation Focus

Monitor tackling safety continuously, watch for understanding of concepts, assess team defending coordination

Intervention Points

Stop activity if unsafe tackling observed, provide additional support for struggling students, challenge advanced students with variations

Demonstration Notes

Use students to demonstrate when possible, exaggerate technique points for clarity, show both correct and incorrect examples for contrast

Verbal Cues

•'Play the ball, not the player!'
•'Stay goal-side of your attacker!'
•'Low and balanced when tackling!'
•'Communicate with your defensive partner!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 40m x 30m for full activities, clear run-off areas around pitch boundaries

Surface Check

Even surface free from holes, water, or debris that could cause slips or stick catches

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Hockey sticks checked for damage, appropriate size for each student
•Balls checked for damage and proper inflation
•Goals secured and positioned away from walls/windows

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Stick-to-body contact during tackling
•Collisions between students
•Slips due to quick direction changes
•Ball strikes to body/face

Risk Mitigation

•Emphasise playing ball not player in all tackles
•Maintain adequate spacing between activities
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
•Clear boundaries and rules established
•Continuous emphasis on safe technique

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for overview of all groups during activities
•Move between groups during practice to monitor technique
•Intervene immediately if unsafe practices observed

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess injury severity, apply appropriate first aid, record incident if required