Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 28 students
Unit: Hockey Skills Extravaganza (Lesson 2 of 7)
Age Group: Year 4 (ages 8-9)
National Curriculum Links:

• Physical Education Programmes of Study (Key Stage 2 - Years 3 and 4)
• Pupils should be taught to:
  • "use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination"
  • "play competitive games, modified where appropriate [hockey], and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending"
  • "develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance"

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Demonstrate at least three different hockey dribbling techniques with control and coordination (e.g., push dribble, tap dribble, and Indian dribble).
2. Maintain consistent ball control while moving in different directions and speeds.
3. Understand spatial awareness by manoeuvring the ball around obstacles and peers.
4. Work collaboratively in small groups through partner and group drills to enhance skills and communication.

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Equipment Needed

• 28 hockey sticks (size appropriate for Year 4 students)
• 28 plastic hockey balls or soft foam balls
• Cones for marking zones and obstacle courses
• Bibs or coloured vests for team differentiation
• Whistle
• Stopwatch or timer

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up and Introduction (10 minutes)

Objective: Prepare body for activity, introduce lesson focus

• Activity:
  • Dynamic warm-up: Jogging around the hall/field, including arm circles, side steps, high knees, and gentle stretches focusing on wrists, forearms, and ankles (important for hockey control).
  • Introduce the fundamental skills focus: brief demonstration and explanation of dribbling and ball control.
  • Ask students: “Why is controlling the ball important in hockey?” (engage thinking about control leading to better attacking/defending).

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2. Skill Development: Dribbling Techniques (20 minutes)

Objective: Pupils practise core dribbling techniques to gain control and confidence

• Demonstration and Explanation (5 minutes): Teacher briefly demonstrates:

  • Push dribble: pushing the ball gently along the turf/hard surface with the flat face of the stick
  • Tap dribble: gently tapping the ball forward repeatedly
  • Indian dribble: moving the ball from side to side rapidly by changing the stick face

• Activity 1: Station Drills (15 minutes)

  • Divide class into groups of 4-5 (7 stations across the hall/field). Each station focuses on one dribbling skill.
  • At each station, students perform the following:
    • Push dribble: Dribble ball in a straight line approx. 10 metres, focusing on control
    • Tap dribble: Tap the ball as they move forward, keeping close control
    • Indian dribble: Move ball from side to side while walking slowly
  • Rotate groups every 3 minutes with teacher and support staff coaching.

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3. Ball Control Through Movement Challenges (15 minutes)

Objective: Combine dribbling with movement, spatial awareness, and change of direction

• Activity 2: Obstacle course
  • Set up cones in zig-zag pattern for students to dribble around using any dribbling style learned.
  • Add challenge: raise one hand in the air while dribbling to encourage balance and coordination.
  • Partner challenge: Pupils pair up, one dribbles while the other moves alongside without a ball, encouraging spatial awareness and communication.
  • Ensure pupils swap roles after 2 minutes.
  • Teacher observes and provides feedback on control and technique.

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4. Small-sided Game: Control in Play (10 minutes)

Objective: Apply dribbling and ball control skills in a fun game context

• Activity 3: 4v4 mini-hockey games within a marked playground or gym grid
  • Emphasise controlled dribbling, passing only after good ball control is achieved.
  • Encourage ‘keep ball’ drills - focusing on maintaining possession rather than scoring.
  • Rotate teams to keep everyone involved, ensuring all pupils have turns to dribble, pass, and demonstrate new skills.

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5. Cool-down and Reflection (5 minutes)

Objective: Safely reduce heart rate and review learning

• Gentle walking and stretching focusing on wrists, arms, legs
• Group discussion:
  • What did you find easiest and hardest about dribbling?
  • How does controlling the ball well help in a game?
  • Which drill helped you the most? Why?

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative:

  • Teacher observes individual pupils in stations activity using a simple checklist to record if pupils:
    • Use correct stick positioning
    • Keep ball close during dribble
    • Show control in obstacles and partner work
  • Provide immediate verbal feedback.

• Peer Assessment:

  • In pairs, pupils give positive feedback to each other on ball control during partner drills.

• Self-Assessment:

  • At the end, pupils raise thumbs up/down for confidence level with dribbling skills learned.

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Differentiation

• For less confident pupils:
  • Use larger balls or slower movement speed during drills.
  • Allow more space at obstacle course.
• For more confident pupils:
  • Increase dribbling speed and introduce more complex patterns such as tight turns or sudden stops.
  • Challenge with dribbling with non-dominant hand side control.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure sufficient spacing between pupils during drills to prevent collisions
• Use plastic or foam balls to minimise risk of injury
• Regularly check stick handling to avoid accidental strikes
• Emphasise rules on safe stick use and respect for peers

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Links to Next Lesson

• Focus next on accurate passing and receiving in hockey to build on ball control foundation from dribbling skills learnt today.
• Preparation for mini-match scenarios encouraging game tactics and teamwork.

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Summary

This lesson builds essential hockey skills of dribbling and ball control in engaging, scaffolded activities that promote coordination, spatial awareness and collaboration. By grounding the session firmly in the National Curriculum for England, pupils develop physical competence and confidence to progress towards competitive hockey play.