Lesson 1 - Consolidating Possession Skills
Advanced Competitive Tactics
•Year 6
•Hockey
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How can we use refined passing, dribbling and moving skills to keep possession and create scoring opportunities in hockey?
Learning Objectives
- To consolidate and refine passing, dribbling and moving skills for maintaining possession
- To apply tactical understanding of when, where and why to use different skills
- To work collaboratively in teams to create and execute attacking strategies
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate refined hockey skills with increasing consistency
- Students will make effective decisions about skill selection during gameplay
- Students will maintain possession for sustained periods and create scoring opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Check stick length appropriate for each student
Alternative: Can use tennis rackets for modified version
Distribute around pitch perimeter for quick access
Alternative: Tennis balls or foam balls for safety
Mark endzones, halfway line and zone boundaries clearly
Alternative: Markers, bibs or painted lines
Two contrasting colours for team identification
Alternative: Different coloured tops
Position securely in endzones
Alternative: Cone goals or marked areas on walls
Key Vocabulary
Having control of the ball as a team
Choosing the right skill at the right time based on the game situation
Smooth, continuous movement and skill execution that flows naturally
Moving to open areas to receive passes or draw defenders away
Scoring area at each end of the pitch where points are scored
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hockey skills from Year 5
- Simple passing and receiving techniques
- Understanding of basic game rules and positions
Current Skills
- Refined passing accuracy under pressure
- Tactical decision-making in possession
- Collaborative team attacking strategies
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical understanding of defensive strategies
- Complex skill combinations in competitive scenarios
- Leadership roles in officiating and coaching
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Possession requires patient decision-making, not rushing forward
- Look up before choosing to pass or dribble - scanning is crucial
- Support teammates by moving to create passing options
- Accurate passing is more important than powerful passing
- Team communication enhances possession retention significantly
- Tactical understanding develops through practice and reflection
- Mistakes are learning opportunities in skill development
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking dribbling is always better than passing - correct by showing when passing creates better opportunities
- Believing possession means keeping the ball as long as possible - explain that smart passing maintains possession better
- Assuming only the ball carrier matters - demonstrate how off-ball movement creates options
- Thinking tactics are too complex for their age - show how simple decisions make big differences
- Believing fast play is always best - emphasise controlled, thoughtful hockey over rushed decisions
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer regular positive feedback and movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment for easier handling, reduce complexity of tactical requirements, provide extra practice time and encouragement
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routines and expectations, offer quiet zones if overwhelmed, use visual schedules for activity transitions
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of pitch layout, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for starts/stops, ensure face-to-face communication, provide written tactical instructions
physical disability
- Adapt to seated position with shorter sticks, modify pitch size, allow hand passes if appropriate, provide alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles of passing, counting successful possessions, measuring distances between zones, calculating team statistics and success rates
Science
Forces in pushing passes, momentum in dribbling, physics of ball movement, heart rate changes during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness on pitch, mapping movement patterns, understanding positional relationships and territory control
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when possession is lost, leadership in tactical discussions, respect for opponents and officials
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position to observe all games, move between groups during activities
Observation Focus
Tactical decision-making, possession retention, team cooperation, skill accuracy
Intervention Points
When students struggle with decision-making, when possession breaks down repeatedly, if safety issues arise
Demonstration Notes
Use students as examples whenever possible, exaggerate key movements for visibility, think aloud during tactical demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up, scan your options!'
- •'Support your teammate!'
- •'Patient possession first!'
- •'Great decision-making!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large sports hall or outdoor pitch minimum 30m x 20m per game
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from water or debris, even playing surface
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Hockey sticks appropriate length for each student
- •Check stick ends are not splintered or damaged
- •Balls properly inflated and in good condition
- •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Slips during direction changes
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Collisions during gameplay
Risk Mitigation
- •Strict stick discipline - low sticks at all times
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between games
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •No tackling rules in place throughout
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all games simultaneously
- •Monitor stick height and control continuously
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safe play
- •Ensure students follow zone restrictions
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately on 'STOP' command, assess any injuries, provide appropriate first aid, continue only when safe