Mastering Skills & Team Play
•Year 8
•Hockey
•Check all sticks for damage before lesson, ensure correct sizing for students
Alternative: Unihoc sticks for beginners, left-handed sticks available
Inspect for cracks, have spares available for replacements
Alternative: Foam balls for less confident students, indoor balls if on hard surface
Pre-set grids before lesson: 3x 20m x 15m areas for Battleships, pairs need 6-10 cones each
Alternative: Spots, poly dots, corner flags for goals
3-4 one colour (Death Eaters), 3 different colours (Harry/Ron/Hermione), 6 teams for Battleships
Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies
Position at ends of each grid, secure if outdoor with wind
Alternative: Cone goals (2 cones 2m apart), bench goals
For 10-second Battleships timing
Alternative: Phone timer, visible countdown clock
Moving the ball side to side in front of the body using both sides of the stick alternately
Using the back of the hockey stick blade to control or hit the ball on your left side
Defensive technique of moving backwards while facing the attacker to delay and guide them
Reading the game to position yourself to win the ball during an opponent's pass
Using unpredictable movements, feints and variations to outsmart defenders
Two players working together using communication, movement and passing to achieve an objective
Maintaining exact ball placement and speed through technical skill execution
Dribbling pattern that creates an '8' shape around two markers to practice turning
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Technical vocabulary development; verbal communication during partnership activities; giving clear instructions as game caller; peer feedback using structured sentence starters (WWW/EBI); articulating self-assessment
Angles of movement and passing lanes in attacking play; estimating distances between cones; calculating scores in Battleships; timing (10 seconds); counting successful attempts through cones; percentages (success rates in 2v1 situations)
Forces - power in hitting/passing, friction between stick and ball; Newton's laws of motion demonstrated in ball movement; body systems during exercise (cardiovascular and respiratory response to high-intensity activity); reaction time during Battleships competitive starts
Spatial awareness and directional language; mapping movement patterns (e.g., Figure of 8); understanding playing area boundaries and dimensions; positional concepts (attacking/defending ends)
Teamwork and cooperation in partnership work; resilience when unsuccessful in 2v1; emotional regulation during competitive games; giving and receiving constructive feedback; growth mindset - learning from mistakes; leadership opportunities as game callers
Warm-up: Corner position for diagonal visibility. Skill stations: Circulate continuously between pairs. 2v1 drills: Rotate between groups every 60 seconds. Battleships: Central position equidistant from all 3 grids. Cool-down: Centre of circle for visibility and voice projection.
Technical execution: Stick work (grip, control, Indian dribble, reverse stick). Tactical awareness: Decision-making (pass vs dribble), positioning (support play), communication. Safety: Stick height, tackle technique, spatial awareness, competitive intensity. Engagement: All students active and challenged, differentiation working effectively.
Stop if: Unsafe stick use observed, tackle technique dangerous, inadequate spacing causing collision risk, rules misunderstood causing activity breakdown, students showing signs of distress or overexertion. Pause to: Reinforce key teaching points, share excellent examples, correct common errors affecting multiple students, adjust difficulty level if too easy/hard.
Always demonstrate new skills slowly first, then at match speed. Use students as models whenever possible - builds confidence and peer learning. Exaggerate key technical points during demonstration (e.g., very obvious stick rotation for reverse stick). Demonstrate common mistakes deliberately, ask students to identify the error - develops critical analysis skills. During game application, pause to highlight excellent examples in real game context.
Minimum teaching area: 30m x 40m for class of 30. Can adapt for indoor sports hall (reduce grid sizes) or outdoor hockey pitch. Clear run-offs beyond boundaries essential.
Inspect surface before lesson for: trip hazards, wet patches (especially after rain), uneven areas, debris. Outdoor: check for standing water. Indoor: ensure floor is clean and dry. Hockey requires firm, even surface - unsuitable for very soft or muddy ground.
On injury: STOP all activity immediately using whistle. Assess injured student - do not move if serious injury suspected. Send reliable student for first aid support/senior staff. Other students sit in safe area away from incident. Minor injuries: First aid administered, student rests and monitored. Significant injuries: Follow school accident procedures, contact parents/guardians, complete accident report forms. Emergency services called if required - ensure access route is clear.
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