Hockey - Lesson 4

Year 3 students continue their journey into the sport of hockey with Lesson 4, focusing on the essential skill of tackling. The learning objectives are clear: students must learn to tackle correctly, adhere to the rules, maintain the proper grip on their stick, and keep the correct body shape during play. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes 'tackle', 'stance', and 'intercept', terms which are fundamental to understanding and executing the skills being taught. To facilitate the lesson, a class set of hockey sticks, balls, and cones are prepared for use.

The session begins with a 10-minute warm-up where pupils, in pairs, practice passing the ball to each other while moving around and avoiding other pairs, aiming to make five consecutive passes without losing control. The main activity, lasting 30 minutes, focuses on the correct tackling technique, which involves lining up the flat side of the stick with the opponent's stick to intercept the ball effectively, maintaining a low stance, and keeping a wide grip for strength and control. Pupils apply these skills in small-sided possession games, such as 'Piggy in the Middle', and progress to more balanced team games, with opportunities to highlight and correct tackling techniques. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute 'Bop IT' cool-down activity, where pupils respond to various playful commands, providing a fun end to the session while reflecting on the skills they found challenging and crucial during the possession games.