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Lesson 2 - Hockey Possession & Officiating

Advanced Competitive Tactics

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Year 6

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Hockey

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1h 10min

Big Question

How can we combine tactical understanding with fair play to excel in hockey?

Learning Objectives

To consolidate understanding of passing, dribbling and moving to maintain possession
To develop officiating skills and understanding of hockey rules
To create and execute effective attacking strategies that result in scoring opportunities

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate refined possession skills in game situations
Students will successfully officiate games showing understanding of rules
Students will create fluent attacking movements leading to shooting opportunities

Equipment & Resources Required

Hockey sticks

1 per student (30)

Check stick condition and appropriate height for each student

Alternative: Unihoc sticks, pool noodles for adapted version

Hockey balls

6-8 balls

Ensure balls are suitable for surface and weather conditions

Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for indoor use

Cones

20-30 cones

Different colours for zones and boundaries

Alternative: Spots, chalk lines, rope

Goals

4-6 goals

Appropriate size for skill level and space

Alternative: Cone goals, wall targets, hula hoops

Bibs

15 in 3 different colours

Clearly distinguish teams and officials

Alternative: Coloured bands, team identifiers

Whistles

7 whistles

One per student referee, clean between uses

Alternative: Hand signals only for quiet environments

Key Vocabulary

Possession

Maintaining control of the ball as a team

Officiating

Acting as referee to ensure fair play and rule enforcement

Endzone

Designated scoring area at either end of the pitch

Fluidity

Smooth, continuous movement and passing between players

Decision-making

Choosing the best option (pass, dribble, shoot) based on game situation

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 simple passing techniques
Awareness of invasion game principles

Current Skills

Refined passing, dribbling and moving in game contexts
Tactical decision-making under pressure
Officiating and rule application

Next Steps

Advanced tactical formations and strategies
Specialised positions and role-specific skills
Tournament organisation and leadership

Milestone Indicators

Sustained possession for 30+ seconds

Accurate officiating decisions

Fluent attacking movements resulting in shots

Key Teaching Points

Possession requires patience and tactical awareness, not just individual skill
Effective officiating builds leadership confidence and understanding of fair play
Quality of attacks improves through sustained possession and team communication
Decision-making under pressure is a learnable skill that improves with practice
Team fluidity comes from understanding roles and supporting teammates
Referee authority must be established early and maintained consistently throughout

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Fastest attacks are always best attacks. Reality: Patient build-up creates better opportunities
Misconception: Only skilled players can be good referees. Reality: Good referees need fairness and confidence, not advanced playing skills
Misconception: Possession means keeping ball at all costs. Reality: Possession serves the purpose of creating scoring opportunities
Misconception: Arguing with referees improves decisions. Reality: Respectful acceptance maintains game flow and learning environment

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Use shorter game segments, provide clear role definition, ensure regular activity changes and movement

dyspraxia

Use lighter equipment if available, reduce field size, provide extra practice time for skill development

autism spectrum

Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedules for game rotation, ensure quiet space available if needed

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of field layout, assign sighted buddy for support

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for referee decisions, ensure clear sight lines for communication, provide written rule reminders

physical disability

Adapt stick grip if needed, modify field size for wheelchair users, allow seated participation in officiating

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during games, giving clear instructions as referee, articulating tactical understanding

Maths

Counting passes and calculating possession percentages, measuring field dimensions and calculating areas

Science

Understanding momentum and force in ball striking, analysing energy transfer in passing

Geography

Spatial awareness and field positioning, understanding angles and directions in play

PSHE

Leadership development through officiating, teamwork and fair play, managing emotions under pressure

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between games to support referees and observe tactical development, position for overview of all activities

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical understanding development, referee confidence building, and team fluidity improving

Intervention Points

Step in if referee decisions need support, safety concerns arise, or tactical development needs guidance

Demonstration Notes

Be ready to pause games for tactical demonstrations, show contrast between effective and ineffective possession play

Verbal Cues

•'Build your attack patiently!'
•'Trust your referee decision!'
•'Count your passes!'
•'Use the space!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 40m x 30m for full hockey games, additional 10m clear space around perimeter

Surface Check

Dry, even surface essential for stick work, check for holes or debris

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Hockey sticks checked for splinters or damage before use
•Balls appropriate for surface and weather conditions
•Goals securely positioned and stable

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Stick contact between players
•Ball strikes to players or spectators
•Collisions during fast-paced games
•Slips due to surface conditions

Risk Mitigation

•Strict no-stick-contact rule enforced throughout
•Clear boundaries and adequate space between games
•Progressive skill building before full games
•Constant monitoring of playing surface

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all activities
•Monitor referee decisions for safety awareness
•Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school emergency procedures if serious