Foundation Skills & Tactics
•Year 6
•Hockey
•Check stick length appropriate for each student - should reach hip when standing upright
Alternative: Unihoc sticks, modified sticks for different abilities
Use tennis balls for safety - progress to hockey balls only with experienced groups
Alternative: Foam balls, hockey balls for advanced groups
Different colours for boundaries, goals, and activity markers
Alternative: Markers, spots, witches hats
Clear colour distinction between teams essential for game situations
Alternative: Bibs, different coloured tops
Each goal approximately 2m wide, positioned at corners of playing areas
Alternative: Cones, benches, marked lines
Empty areas on the pitch where players can move to avoid defenders
Where players place themselves on the pitch to be most effective
Moving to help a teammate who has the ball by offering passing options
When defenders are close and trying to win the ball back
The moment when possession changes from one team to another
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Measuring playing areas, calculating angles for passing, timing activities and counting passes
Understanding forces in passing and stick work, body systems during exercise, physics of ball movement
Spatial awareness and mapping concepts, understanding position and direction on playing area
Teamwork and communication, leadership roles, supporting others and building confidence
Move around outside of activity areas to observe all groups, position at corners during games for maximum visibility
Watch for spatial awareness, decision-making quality, communication between students, and safe play
Step in when spatial concepts aren't being applied, when safety is compromised, or when students need tactical guidance
Use students to demonstrate examples, stop action to highlight good spatial decisions, exaggerate movements for clarity
Minimum 30m x 20m for full lesson, clear of obstacles and hazards
Even surface free from holes, wet patches, or debris that could cause slips
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school emergency procedures if needed
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