Mastering Skills & Team Play
•Year 8
•Hockey
•Check all sticks for splinters, cracks or damage before distribution. Different lengths available for students of varying heights
Alternative: Unihoc sticks (lighter, safer for indoor use)
Quick Sticks balls recommended for safety - firmer outdoor balls only if students experienced and wearing protection
Alternative: Softer foam balls for Quick Sticks, lighter balls for indoor hockey
Use contrasting colours for pitch boundaries vs. goal markers. Set up two pitches approximately 20m x 15m each
Alternative: Marker domes, tall cones for goal posts
Ensure each team has matching colour for clear identification. Have spares in case of size issues
Alternative: Coloured bands, team armbands
Mandatory if using harder balls. Various sizes needed. Check fit inside socks
Alternative: Football shin pads acceptable
Students should bring own moulded gum shields. Have spare generic ones for those who forget
Alternative: None - essential safety equipment
Attach lanyards for easy wearing. Sanitise between users or use individual whistles
Alternative: Voice commands only if whistles unavailable
For referees to track scores and record match results throughout tournament
Alternative: Whiteboard for recording scores
The act of serving as a referee or umpire, enforcing rules and making decisions during a game
An official who watches a game closely to enforce rules and make judgements on play
A restart awarded to a team when the opposition commits a foul, taken from where the infringement occurred
A series of games played between multiple teams with each team competing against others
Planned strategies and approaches used by a team to achieve success in a game
Thinking carefully about performance to identify what went well and what could be improved
Making clear, confident decisions quickly without hesitation
A controlled passing technique where the stick stays in contact with the ball and remains low to the ground
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Developing technical vocabulary and using it accurately in reflections and evaluations. Articulating tactical ideas and suggestions clearly during team discussions. Listening skills when receiving referee instructions or team feedback. Persuasive language when leading reflections or suggesting tactical changes.
Scoring and recording tournament results developing addition and data recording skills. Understanding pitch dimensions and distances (20m x 15m, 5-yard rule). Time management calculating game durations and rotations. Statistics if tracking passes, goals, or tackles during games. Understanding fractions when dividing teams or reflecting on percentage of successful skills.
Understanding cardiovascular system response to exercise - heart rate increase during tournament, decrease during cool-down. Muscle groups used in hockey - quadriceps, hamstrings, calves - linked to stretching in cool-down. Forces applied when striking ball - push force in controlled passes. Friction between stick and ball, ball and surface affecting control.
Understanding rules and why they matter in creating fair systems. Democratic decision-making during team tactical discussions. Rights and responsibilities of different roles (player vs referee). Community engagement through local sport club links.
Spatial awareness understanding positions on pitch and tactical spacing. Directions and movement patterns during games. Mapping out strategies and player movements during reflections.
Leadership and responsibility through officiating duties. Teamwork and cooperation in competitive contexts. Respect for authority (referees) even when disagreeing with decisions. Managing emotions in competitive situations - resilience after losing, grace in winning. Conflict resolution managing disputes constructively. Understanding community engagement through local hockey club pathways. Fair play and integrity making honest refereeing decisions.
During warm-up: Central position to observe all five teams simultaneously. During skill development: Move between groups providing feedback but maintain overview of whole class. During tournament: Position centrally between two pitches allowing peripheral vision of both games, constantly scanning. Move closer to individual games only for specific teaching points then return to central overview position.
HANDS: Watch for technique quality - low sticks, controlled passes, effective receiving, appropriate dribbling methods. HEAD: Observe tactical decisions - spacing, support play, positioning, tactical adjustments between games. HEART: Monitor sportsmanship, respect for referees, teammate encouragement, resilience after setbacks. OFFICIATING: Note decisiveness, confidence, fairness, and communication quality of student referees.
Intervene immediately if: unsafe play (high sticks, dangerous tackles), disputes escalating, referee being disrespected, poor sportsmanship, obvious pain/injury, games becoming too one-sided causing disengagement. Intervene selectively for: excellent examples to highlight, teaching moments about tactics or technique, time warnings for game management. Avoid over-intervention that disrupts flow or undermines student referees.
Demonstrate: Officiating technique including confident whistle, clear hand signals, and authoritative communication. Show both good and poor examples of referee positioning and decision-making. Demonstrate each rule scenario clearly during briefing (push pass, raised stick, deliberate feet, free hit procedure). Model reflection language during team discussions. Use students as demonstrators where possible, building their confidence and ownership.
Minimum space: Two pitches 20m x 15m each with 5m separation = approximately 800m² total. Indoor hall or outdoor hard court/grass pitch suitable. Adequate run-off space beyond boundaries (2m minimum). Clear of obstacles, walls, and equipment.
Indoor: Clean, dry, non-slip hall floor free from dust or moisture. Outdoor: Even grass or hard court surface checked for holes, debris, or standing water. Mark any unavoidable hazards with cones. Ensure adequate grip in all weather conditions.
STOP: Blow whistle loudly, raise hand, call 'EVERYONE STOP!' ASSESS: Quickly determine nature and severity of injury or incident. Minor injury: Move student to side, apply first aid, resume games if appropriate. Significant injury: Keep student still, send reliable student for first aid trained staff/emergency services, stay with injured student, supervise remainder of class calmly. Complete accident report form for all injuries. Contact parents for anything beyond very minor bumps.
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