Attacking & Defensive Mastery
•Year 6
•Hockey
•Check all sticks for damage before lesson, ensure appropriate size for each student
Alternative: None - essential for hockey
Use regulation hockey balls for authentic experience
Alternative: Tennis balls for beginners, foam balls for indoor
Use to mark pitch boundaries, goals, and activity areas
Alternative: Markers, bibs as boundary markers
Position goals appropriate distance apart for skill level
Alternative: Cone goals, target areas marked with cones
Clearly distinguish teams for tactical understanding
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts, bands
Positioning yourself between the attacking player and the goal to prevent them from having a clear shot or path to goal
The strategic placement of defenders to minimise attacking opportunities and protect the goal
Following the movement of an attacking player while maintaining appropriate defensive position
Identifying and marking the most dangerous attacking player in any given situation
A one-handed defensive technique to dispossess an attacker while maintaining distance
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Geometry through understanding angles and positioning, measuring distances for marking, calculating time and space relationships
Forces and motion in changing direction, friction between stick and ball, energy transfer during tackles
Spatial awareness and mapping of field positions, direction and orientation skills, understanding of area and territory
Teamwork and cooperation, communication skills, resilience when defending under pressure, responsibility for team success
Position at corner of playing area for maximum visibility of all students, move to support individual groups as needed
Watch for correct goal-side positioning, effective communication between defenders, and safe stick handling
Step in when students are not maintaining goal-side position, when communication breaks down, or when safety is compromised
Use clear, exaggerated movements when demonstrating positioning, involve students in demonstrations to aid understanding, repeat key demos multiple times
Full hockey pitch (60m x 40m minimum) or adapted size based on available space
Dry, even surface free from potholes, debris, or other hazards that could cause injury
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school medical support if needed
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