Overview

A 7-week progressive hockey unit designed for Year 3 and 4 students, aligned with the National Curriculum for England (Physical Education). This unit emphasises fundamental skills, teamwork, and tactical awareness through engaging, age-appropriate games and activities, culminating in confidence and competence in basic hockey techniques. Each 60-minute session builds on skills learned previously, promoting physical development and positive attitudes towards team sports.

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National Curriculum Alignment

• PE Key Stage 2 - National Curriculum objectives:

  • Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
  • Play competitive games, modified where appropriate [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders and tennis], and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending
  • Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
  • Evaluate their own and others’ work and suggest improvements

• Statutory requirements for Key Stage 2:
  Pupils should be taught to:

  • Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination.
  • Play competitive games and apply basic principles of attacking and defending.

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Weekly Breakdown

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Week 1 – Introduction to Hockey Basics

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and safely use hockey equipment (sticks, balls)
• Develop correct grip and basic control of the ball (dribbling)
• Recognise space and movement without opponent pressure

Starter (10 mins):

• Warm-up tag games (“Stuck in the Mud” with sticks) emphasising agility and spatial awareness.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• “Red Light, Green Light” dribbling drill: Students take turns dribbling their ball, stopping at “red” and moving at “green”.
• Pair pass and receive: Pairs practise pushing the ball to each other with sticks carefully.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Group discussion: What did you find tricky/easy? Teacher highlights safety and basic control.

Assessment:
Teacher observes grip technique, ball control, and ability to stop/start with control.

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Week 2 – Dribbling and Change of Direction

Learning Objectives:

• Improve dribbling confidence and control whilst changing direction
• Develop spatial awareness through moving around obstacles

Starter (10 mins):

• “Sharks and Minnows” with dribbling balls avoiding “sharks”.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• Cone weaving: Set up slalom courses for students to dribble around cones, emphasising gentle tap pushes for control.
• Dribble and freeze: On whistle, students stop ball precisely and hold position.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Peer feedback in pairs about best turning/dribbling technique.

Assessment:
Monitor control and smoothness of direction change while dribbling.

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Week 3 – Passing Accuracy and Control

Learning Objectives:

• Apply pushing passes with improved accuracy and receiving techniques
• Understand the importance of communication in team play

Starter (10 mins):

• Passing in “circles” with rhythmic timing drills.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• Passing through gates: Pairs pass the ball through sets of cones increasing distance gradually.
• Communication game: Small teams complete passing sequences calling each other’s name loudly.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Group reflection on how communication affected success.

Assessment:
Accuracy of passing and effective use of communication.

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Week 4 – Tackling and Defending

Learning Objectives:

• Learn safe and effective blocking and tackling skills
• Develop the concept of defending space

Starter (10 mins):

• “Mirror” partner game, practicing body positioning and anticipation.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• Shadow defending: DEFENDER shadows attacker’s movement without the ball.
• 1v1 defending drill: Attacker tries to dribble past defender, focusing on stick positioning and timing.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Discussion about sportsmanship and the importance of safe defending.

Assessment:
Observation of safe tackling technique and ability to position body effectively.

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Week 5 – Combining Skills into Small-Sided Games

Learning Objectives:

• Apply dribbling, passing, and defending in game-like scenarios
• Demonstrate teamwork and positional awareness

Starter (10 mins):

• Dynamic warm-up relay races with hockey sticks.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• 3v3 mini games: Small teams play short matches with simplified rules to encourage involvement.
• Focus on passing, moving to space, and defending zones.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Self-assessment checklists: What skill helped you most today?

Assessment:
Teachers observe and record examples of teamwork and skill application.

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Week 6 – Attacking Strategies and Shooting

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and demonstrate basic attacking tactics
• Improve shooting accuracy and power safely

Starter (10 mins):

• “Attack the Goal” warm-up: Dribble towards cones acting as defenders.

Main Activity (40 mins):

• Attack drills: Students practise passing in triangles to create space before shooting.
• Shooting stations: Practise shooting at targets in small goals.

Plenary (10 mins):

• Group discussion on how movement creates shooting opportunities.

Assessment:
Evaluate students’ ability to create space and shoot accurately.

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Week 7 – Consolidation and Mini Tournament

Learning Objectives:

• Combine all skills confidently in a team tournament
• Demonstrate understanding of rules and fair play

Starter (10 mins):

• Group warm-up and review of key rules.

Main Activity (45 mins):

• Organise class into teams for a mini round-robin tournament with refereeing roles rotated.
• Emphasis on teamwork, invoking positive peer feedback.

Plenary (5 mins):

• Reflective circle: What have you improved? What are you proud of?

Assessment:
Use simple rubric to assess skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

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Equipment Needed

• Plastic or wooden hockey sticks, one per student
• Soft hockey balls or low-bounce balls
• Cones for gates and slalom courses
• Mini goals/nets or marked goal areas
• Whistle for teacher control

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Differentiation

• Support: Use larger balls and shorter passing distances for those struggling.
• Challenge: Add defenders in passing drills or increase game speed and scoring difficulty.

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Safety Considerations

• Emphasise correct stick handling and avoiding high sticks.
• Insist on controlled ball strikes (pushed ball only).
• Teacher to position self for supervision and risk assessment continually.

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This scheme ensures children develop essential hockey skills within the framework of the National Curriculum for England, fostering a love of physical activity, cooperation, and resilience through progressive, engaging, and creatively structured lessons.