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Lesson 6 - Hockey Tournament Tactics

Advanced Competitive Tactics

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Year 6

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Hockey

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Big Question

How can we combine tactical understanding with technical skills to succeed in competitive hockey situations?

Learning Objectives

Apply refined passing, dribbling and moving skills to score points against opposition teams
Demonstrate effective attacking and defending tactics in competitive game situations
Take responsibility for organising, managing and officiating hockey games independently

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully execute tactical plans during tournament matches
Students will demonstrate leadership and responsibility as players, coaches and referees
Students will show improved decision-making under competitive pressure

Equipment & Resources Required

Hockey sticks

1 per student (30)

Check all sticks for damage before use

Alternative: Wooden sticks or adapted plastic sticks for beginners

Hockey balls

6-8 balls

Keep spare balls ready for quick restart

Alternative: Tennis balls for indoor use or safety concerns

Goals

4 goals (2 courts)

Position goals securely at each end of playing areas

Alternative: Cones or markers to create goal areas

Cones

20 cones

Mark court boundaries, centre lines and goal areas

Alternative: Markers or chalk lines

Bibs

2 sets (15 each colour)

Distribute before team formation

Alternative: Coloured bands or team markers

Tournament Brackets

2 copies

Display where all teams can see progress

Alternative: Whiteboard for results tracking

Whistles

4 whistles

One for each student referee on rotation

Alternative: Hand signals only

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competition involving multiple teams playing a series of matches

Round Robin

A tournament format where every team plays every other team once

Tactics

Planned strategies and methods used to gain advantage in games

Officiating

Acting as referee or umpire to ensure fair play and rule adherence

Transition

The moment when possession changes from one team to another

Fluidity

Smooth, continuous movement and passing that maintains possession

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic hockey techniques of passing, dribbling and shooting
Understanding of basic attacking and defending principles
Experience of small-sided hockey games

Current Skills

Tactical application in competitive situations
Tournament organisation and management
Leadership and officiating skills

Next Steps

Advanced tactical variations and set plays
Inter-school competition preparation
Advanced officiating and coaching skills

Milestone Indicators

Consistent application of skills under pressure

Effective team leadership and communication

Independent game management capabilities

Key Teaching Points

Tournament format requires application of all learned skills under competitive pressure
Leadership develops through coaching and refereeing experiences alongside playing
Tactical awareness must be maintained even when competition intensifies
Sportsmanship and fair play are equally important as technical skill and winning
Decision-making speed and quality improve through repeated competitive exposure
Team cooperation and communication become crucial in tournament settings
Self-management and responsibility develop through multiple role requirements

Common Misconceptions

Winning is more important than fair play and effort - emphasise equal value of sportsmanship
Tactics become less important under pressure - reinforce that pressure is when tactics matter most
Coaching means giving constant instructions - teach that timing and encouragement are key
Refereeing is easy and less important - demonstrate the skill and responsibility required
Tournament results define success - highlight learning, improvement and character development

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Clear, frequent role changes, specific responsibilities, regular positive feedback

dyspraxia

Simplified tactics, extra time for organisation, focus on effort over technical perfection

autism spectrum

Clear tournament structure with visual schedule, defined roles, quiet space if needed

visual impairment

Bright coloured equipment, clear verbal instructions, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Visual signals for referee instructions, clear demonstrations, written tournament structure

physical disability

Modified roles focusing on coaching/refereeing, adapted equipment, adjusted court size

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills as coach and referee, tactical discussions and instructions

Maths

Tournament scoring systems, calculating points totals, time management and match duration

Science

Understanding fatigue and recovery, tactical analysis and decision-making processes

PSHE

Leadership development, teamwork, resilience under pressure, fair play and respect

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position allowing oversight of both courts and access to support where needed

Observation Focus

Tactical application, leadership qualities, sportsmanship, skill development under pressure

Intervention Points

Step in if safety concerns, poor sportsmanship, or significant rule confusion

Demonstration Notes

Model excellent sportsmanship, provide tactical guidance to coaches, support referee decisions

Verbal Cues

•'Remember your tactics!'
•'Great sportsmanship!'
•'Move to space!'
•'Support your teammates!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Two hockey courts minimum 20m x 30m each, clear separation between courts

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for hockey play

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all hockey sticks for cracks or splinters
•Ensure balls are appropriate weight and condition
•Goals securely positioned and stable

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Stick contact with other players
•Collisions during competitive play
•Ball strikes to players
•Overexertion during tournament

Risk Mitigation

•Clear stick safety rules enforced throughout
•Adequate spacing between courts
•Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
•Teacher supervision of competitive intensity

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility of both courts simultaneously
•Monitor competitive intensity and sportsmanship
•Support student referees when needed

Emergency Procedures

Clear stoppage protocol, first aid access, incident reporting system