Mastering Hockey Shots

---

📌 Curriculum Links

Subject: Physical Education
Key Stage: Key Stage 2
Applicable Year: Year 5
Lesson Number: 4 of 6 – Hockey Skills in Action
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 25 pupils

National Curriculum - PE (England)

This lesson supports the following aims:

• Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
• Play competitive games, modified where appropriate, and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending
• Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance

---

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, pupils will be able to:

1. Demonstrate correct technique for a basic wrist shot and slap shot in hockey.
2. Apply shooting techniques to target-based activities with increasing accuracy.
3. Understand how shot selection impacts gameplay and decision-making.
4. Work collaboratively in small groups and provide peer feedback on technique.

---

🧠 Prior Learning

In previous lessons, students have developed basic hockey handling, passing and dribbling. They have practised moving with the ball under control and participating in small-sided mini-games focused on teamwork and fundamental skills.

---

🚦 Warm-Up (10 mins)

Activity: "Stick and Move" Relay

Setup:

• 5 teams of 5 pupils
• Each team has a hockey stick and one ball
• Set up cones to create a zig-zag path for each team

Instructions:

• Pupils dribble the ball in and out of cones to the end of the course and back.
• Jog back to hand off the stick to the next team member.
• On return, the player performs 5 star jumps and rejoins queue.
• Include stretching at the start (focus on wrists, shoulders, lower back).

Purpose:
To increase body temperature, activate hockey-specific muscles, and promote focus.

---

🏑 Skill Focus (15 mins)

Focus: Shooting Technique – Wrist Shot & Slap Shot

Demonstration & Modelling (5 mins)

Wrist Shot:

• Controlled, accurate shot using flicking wrist motion.
• Emphasises quick release and targeting.

Slap Shot:

• More powerful shot.
• Stick makes contact with ground before the ball.
• Long wind-up; useful for longer-range play.
• Emphasis on technique control rather than power.

Use a large visual aid/sketchboard to highlight grip, stance, and shot phases.

Encourage Q&A to prompt pupil reasoning:

• "When might you choose a wrist shot over a slap shot?"
• "Which shot is better for accuracy? Which for power?"

Skill Practice – Rotation Circuits (10 mins)

Stations (3 mins each):

1. Wrist Shot Accuracy Wall

   • 3 coloured hoops/style targets hung on a soft wall/rebounding board.
   • Students aim to 'pass' their shot through the hoop.

2. Slap Shot Power Zone

   • Use foam targets or plastic bowling pins.
   • Pupils attempt to knock down as many as possible with one shot.

3. Shot Selection Cards

   • Pupils draw a ‘game situation’ card e.g., "Close to goal", "Defender approaching", "Teammate open", then decide and execute the appropriate shot.

Rotate groups every 3 minutes. Encourage peer support and technical prompts.

---

🎯 Applied Activity (20 mins)

Game: "Target Challenge Mini-Games"

Setup:

• Divide class into 5 groups of 5
• Create 2 shooting grids at either end of a medium-sized pitch
• Each grid has cones/goals of increasing value depending on distance and size (e.g. 1pt, 2pt, 3pt targets)

Instructions:

• One player passes, teammate shoots.
• Teams earn points by hitting assigned targets.
• Players rotate roles every 3 shots.

Variation:

• Add defenders to simulate pressure.
• Add time limits per round.

Key focus points:

• Shot selection under pressure.
• Positioning for shots.
• Team communication.

---

🗣️ Cool Down and Review (10 mins)

Pulse Lowering and Stretch (5 mins)

• Gentle jogging around area, followed by dynamic movements (arms windmill, leg swings).
• Static stretches focusing on arms, shoulders, lower back.

Reflection & Plenary Discussion (5 mins)

Group share in a circle:

• "Which shot did you prefer and why?"
• "When did your team work together well?"
• "What would you change about your technique next time?"

Use traffic light self-assessment cards: 🟩 - Confident with shot selection and technique
🟨 - Working on consistency
🟥 - Need more support

Teacher records quick observations for ongoing assessment.

---

📋 Assessment Opportunities

• Formative observations during skill stations and mini-games.
• Peer assessment at each activity station.
• End-of-lesson self-assessment using traffic light method.
• Verbal questioning to assess understanding of shot selection logic.

---

🛠 Equipment Checklist

• 25 plastic hockey sticks (age-appropriate)
• 30 soft balls (foam or plastic)
• 10 coloured hoops (varied diameters)
• 10 plastic cones/goals
• Bowling pins or rebound targets
• Shot Selection scenario cards
• Session whiteboard or flipchart
• Pupil traffic light cards for self-assessment

---

💡 Teacher Tips

• Use slow-motion modelling for technical aspects.
• Pair stronger pupils with those needing support.
• Revisit and reinforce key terminology throughout: e.g., "transfer weight", "follow through", "grip", "stance".
• Cross-curricular link: Encourage pupils to use mathematical skills by calculating group scores during target games.

---

⏭️ Next Lesson Preview

In Lesson 5, Putting It Together, students will begin combining passing, dribbling, movement and shooting into small-sided game play. There will be a strong focus on creating and exploiting space and real-time decision-making.

---

🔁 Reflection for Teacher
Consider collecting short video clips of pupils’ shooting form (with consent) to monitor progression or provide visual feedback.