Lesson 3 - Refining Shooting Accuracy
Individual To Team Play
•Year 5
•Hockey
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How can we create and execute successful shooting opportunities in hockey?
Learning Objectives
- Refine shooting technique with accuracy and power when pressure is applied
- Develop understanding of where, when and why to shoot in game situations
- Apply prior learning of passing and dribbling to create effective attacking opportunities
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate refined shooting technique with consistent accuracy
- Students will make tactical decisions about optimal shooting positions and timing
- Students will combine passing, moving and dribbling skills to create goal-scoring opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length appropriate for each student - should reach between hip and waist
Alternative: Plastic hockey sticks, unihoc sticks for beginners
Have spare balls around pitch perimeter for quick restart
Alternative: Tennis balls, plastic airflow balls for safety
Goals should be 2-3 metres wide depending on skill level
Alternative: Tall cones, target nets, or marked areas on walls
Use bright colours for visibility and place strategically in goals
Alternative: Plastic bottles, bean bags, or marked zones
Ensure clear colour distinction between teams
Alternative: Different coloured PE shirts or armbands
Key Vocabulary
The ability to direct the ball precisely towards the target goal area
The position relative to the goal that provides the best chance of scoring
Balancing shot strength with accuracy to beat defenders and goalkeepers
The continuation of stick movement after contact with the ball during shooting
A moment when conditions are favourable for attempting a shot at goal
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick grip and control
- Fundamental passing and receiving skills
- Simple dribbling techniques
- Understanding of attacking and defending roles
Current Skills
- Refined shooting technique with accuracy focus
- Tactical awareness of shooting positions
- Combining skills under pressure
- Creating shooting opportunities through teamwork
Next Steps
- Advanced shooting techniques (flicks, deflections)
- Complex tactical understanding of team attacks
- Playing in larger team formations
- Developing goalkeeper skills and tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Shooting accuracy is more important than power - emphasise placement over force
- Body position (side-on) and follow-through determine shot direction and success
- Creating shooting opportunities through movement and teamwork is as important as individual technique
- Different angles require different tactical approaches and shooting adjustments
- Zone hockey rules create natural opportunities to practice tactical decision-making
- Quick transitions between attacking and defending are crucial in game situations
- Encourage risk-taking and resilience when shots are unsuccessful
Common Misconceptions
- Harder shots are always better - actually accuracy and placement are more effective
- You should always shoot immediately when you get the ball - sometimes moving to better position is smarter
- Shooting technique only matters for the person with the ball - actually team movement creates shooting opportunities
- Zone defender should always stay in the zone - they need to make tactical decisions about positioning
- Missing shots means you're not good at hockey - even professionals miss many shots and keep trying
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with movement breaks, clear and simple instructions, positive reinforcement for focus
dyspraxia
- Extra practice time for coordination skills, larger targets and equipment, step-by-step skill breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written key points on display board
physical disability
- Adapted stick grips, seated shooting positions, modified goals and distances, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating shooting percentages, measuring distances and angles, scoring systems and number operations
Science
Forces and motion in shooting, trajectory and angles, energy transfer from stick to ball
Geography
Spatial awareness, understanding of angles and directions, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when shots miss, celebrating others' successes, leadership roles
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all groups, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct shooting technique, tactical decision-making, and safe play
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggling with technique, safety concerns arise, or game flow breaks down
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for shooting technique. Involve students in demonstrations to maintain engagement
Verbal Cues
- •'Side on to target!'
- •'Follow through to your target!'
- •'Accuracy over power!'
- •'Create the angle!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for full game, smaller areas acceptable for skill practice
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, suitable for running and quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hockey sticks for cracks or splinters before use
- •Ensure balls are appropriate hardness for age group
- •Verify goals are securely positioned and won't tip
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Hockey stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to body or face
- •Collisions during competitive games
- •Slips and falls during direction changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Enforce strict rules about stick height and control
- •Ensure adequate spacing during all activities
- •Use softer balls appropriate for age group
- •Teach safe tackling and defensive techniques
- •Clear boundaries and rules for zone games
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor competitive games for appropriate intensity
- •Pay special attention to tackling and physical contact
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, seek additional support if needed