Lesson 6 - Tournament Skills & Play
Skills To Strategy
•Year 5
•Hockey
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How can we apply our hockey skills effectively in competitive game situations while demonstrating fair play?
Learning Objectives
- Apply hockey skills effectively in competitive game situations
- Demonstrate understanding of hockey rules and fair play
- Evaluate performance and adapt tactics during games
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully apply push passes, receiving, and jab tackles in game contexts
- Students will officiate games fairly and understand all hockey rules
- Students will demonstrate school games values throughout competitive play
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure all sticks are in good condition with no damage
Alternative: Unihoc sticks (check condition before use)
Use softer balls for safety during tournament games
Alternative: Tennis balls for skill practice
Distribute for teams and sharks activity
Alternative: Coloured cones for team identification
Set up grids, pitch boundaries, and assessment stations
Alternative: Markers or spots
Mandatory for Quick Sticks games
Alternative: None - essential for safety
Recommend for all competitive games
Alternative: None - essential for safety
Set up two pitches with clear goal areas
Alternative: Cones to mark goal areas
Key Vocabulary
A defensive technique where the defender steps forward with their left foot and jabs their stick forward to dislodge the ball
A competitive event where multiple teams play against each other in organised games
Acting as a referee to ensure games are played fairly according to the rules
Strategic decisions made during a game to improve team performance
Passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination, and teamwork
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic push passing and receiving techniques
- Understanding of jab tackle mechanics
- Knowledge of fundamental hockey rules
- Experience with competitive games
Current Skills
- Applying skills under competitive pressure
- Making tactical decisions in real-time
- Officiating games fairly and confidently
- Demonstrating school games values consistently
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical awareness and team strategies
- Leadership roles in organising tournaments
- Mentoring younger students in hockey skills
- Participating in inter-school competitions
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Jab tackle timing is crucial - wait for ball to run clear of opponent's stick
- Tournament games require application of all skills under competitive pressure
- School games values are as important as technical skills in hockey
- Refereeing fairly requires knowledge of rules and decisive decision-making
- Tactical awareness includes knowing when to pass, dribble, or defend
- Self-assessment and reflection lead to improved performance
- Hockey skills transfer to many other sports and life situations
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking you can jab tackle at any time - timing when ball is clear is essential
- Believing winning is more important than fair play and skill development
- Assuming refereeing is easy - it requires concentration and rule knowledge
- Thinking tactics don't matter in hockey - positioning and strategy are crucial
- Believing hockey is only about individual skills - teamwork is fundamental
- Assuming you can't improve if you're not naturally good - practice and reflection lead to progress
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break tournament into shorter games, clear role definitions, regular position changes, immediate feedback and praise for positive behaviour
dyspraxia
- Extra practice time for stick skills, simplified game rules initially, focus on one skill at a time, larger equipment if helpful
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure for tournament format, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if overwhelmed, consistent routines
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of tactical setups, assign sighted partner for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for starts/stops, written rule cards, visual demonstrations of techniques, hand signals for communication
physical disability
- Modify grip on stick if needed, allow seated play where appropriate, adapt distances for individual capabilities, focus on achievable skills
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development (officiating, tactics, tournament), communication during team discussions, giving and receiving feedback
Maths
Timing games (4-5 minutes), counting passes in 5-4-3-2-1 sequence, measuring 5-yard retreat distances, scoring and tournament mathematics
Science
Understanding forces in push passing, friction between stick and ground, impact and momentum in jab tackles, heart rate during tournament
Geography
Spatial awareness on pitch, understanding positioning and field coverage, mapping team formations and movements
PSHE
School games values (passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination, teamwork), conflict resolution, leadership, self-assessment
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between two pitches to observe both games and support referees
Observation Focus
Skill application under pressure, refereeing quality, demonstration of school games values, tactical understanding
Intervention Points
Step in if refereeing becomes unfair, if safety concerns arise, if games become too competitive at expense of learning
Demonstration Notes
Have students demonstrate key rules and skills to peers, film final demonstrations for assessment evidence
Verbal Cues
- •'Great tactical decision!'
- •'Remember to retreat 5 yards'
- •'Show me those school games values'
- •'What could your team do differently?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Two parallel pitches minimum 30m x 20m each, clear boundaries, adequate run-off areas
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from debris, suitable for running and stick work
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All hockey sticks checked for damage before use
- •Shin pads mandatory for competitive games
- •Gum shields recommended for all tournament play
- •Softer balls used to reduce impact risk
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick collisions during competitive play
- •Ball strikes to body or head
- •Falls during quick direction changes
- •Overexertion during tournament
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about stick height and control
- •Adequate spacing between pitches
- •Regular water breaks during tournament
- •Trained first aider present
- •Progressive skill building throughout unit
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position between pitches for visibility of both games
- •Monitor referee decisions and player reactions
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
- •Ensure protective equipment is worn correctly
Emergency Procedures
Stop all games immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required