Lesson 4 - Advanced Dribbling Skills
Skills To Strategy
•Year 5
•Hockey
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How can we use different dribbling techniques and partnership skills to outwit defenders in hockey?
Learning Objectives
- To work effectively with a partner to get past a defender using various attacking strategies
- To develop and apply a range of advanced dribbling techniques including straight, loose and Indian dribbling
- To understand tactical decision-making in attack - when to pass versus when to dribble
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved hockey dribbling techniques with better ball control and stick handling
- Students will show effective partnership work in attacking situations against defenders
- Students will make appropriate tactical decisions about when to pass and when to maintain possession through dribbling
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all sticks are right-handed design, appropriate length for students
Alternative: Quick sticks for beginners, different lengths available
Ensure balls are appropriate weight and bounce for surface
Alternative: Foam balls for indoor work, tennis balls for skill practice
Use bright colours for visibility, various sizes for different activities
Alternative: Spots, markers, or small goals
Position securely, appropriate size for space available
Alternative: Cone goals, target areas marked with cones
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball from left to right in front of the body using both sides of the stick
Moving forward with the ball staying in constant contact with the stick
Using the back of the stick blade to move the ball, typically when going to the left
Defensive technique of staying between attacker and goal whilst moving backwards
Defensive movement to reduce time and space available to attackers
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey stick grip and stance
- Simple ball pushing and stopping
- Understanding of hockey safety rules
Current Skills
- Advanced dribbling techniques - straight, loose, Indian
- Reverse stick technique
- Partnership attacking play
- Defensive positioning and jockeying
Next Steps
- Small-sided hockey games with multiple attackers and defenders
- Set piece situations like penalty corners
- Advanced passing combinations and through balls
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Correct stick grip with left hand at top, right hand low for control
- Ball control through different dribbling techniques - straight, loose, Indian, reverse stick
- Tactical awareness - reading the game to decide when to pass vs when to dribble
- Partnership working in attacking situations with good communication
- Defensive principles - closing space quickly then jockeying to maintain position
- Progressive skill development from static control to dynamic game application
- Safety through controlled technique and spatial awareness
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking faster is always better - control comes before speed in hockey skills
- Believing individual skill is more important than teamwork - partnership work often beats solo efforts
- Assuming one dribbling technique works for all situations - different techniques suit different scenarios
- Thinking defending means standing still - active defending requires movement and positioning
- Believing advanced skills should be perfect immediately - all skills require practice and progression
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with clear transitions, movement-based activities, clear boundaries and expectations
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, slower progressions, additional practice time, simplified instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structures, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones if overwhelmed, predictable role rotations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for instructions, written key points on display board, clear hand signals for game starts/stops
physical disability
- Adapted stick lengths, seated hockey options, modified distances and targets, focus on upper body control
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting rhythms in Indian dribbling, measuring distances in cone courses, calculating scores in numbers game
Science
Forces and friction in ball control, momentum and acceleration in direction changes, balance and stability in hockey stance
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, mapping movement patterns, understanding of areas and boundaries
PSHE
Partnership working and communication, perseverance through challenging skills, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around area perimeter during practice to observe all students, central position for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct stick grip, ball control development, spatial awareness, and tactical understanding
Intervention Points
Step in when technique is unsafe, when students struggle with concepts, or when competitive elements become too intense
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for skill demonstrations, involve students in demos where appropriate, explain thinking behind tactical decisions
Verbal Cues
- •'Stick and ball are best friends - they should never be apart!'
- •'Show me those soft hands - gentle control!'
- •'Eyes up - see the space, see your partner!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m area, clear of obstacles, suitable for running and direction changes
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for hockey stick use
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all hockey sticks for damage, splinters or loose grips
- •Ensure balls are appropriate weight and in good condition
- •Verify cones are stable and have no sharp edges
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick collisions during close dribbling work
- •Slips and falls during direction changes
- •Ball strikes from poor control
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear spacing rules for stick work
- •Emphasise controlled movements before adding speed
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Clear boundaries and rules for competitive elements
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility during dispersed activities
- •Monitor closely during cone course work for collisions
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safely managed