Hockey - Unit Overview

The Year 3 hockey unit offers a comprehensive overview of essential hockey skills tailored for young learners. The programme is designed to teach pupils the correct stick holding techniques, dribbling, passing, receiving, tackling, and shooting with precision. A significant part of the unit is dedicated to giving pupils the chance to apply these skills in a game situation, thus providing a practical context for their learning. This unit represents the pupils' first formal introduction to hockey, building upon the foundational skills they have developed in their earlier years of physical education.

Each lesson within the unit is structured with clear learning objectives and success criteria, ensuring that both teachers and pupils have a focused goal for each session. For example, the first lesson aims to teach pupils how to hold the stick and dribble effectively, with success being measured by their ability to maintain control and awareness. As the unit progresses, the complexity increases, moving from dribbling under pressure to accurate passing and receiving, correct tackling techniques, and shooting with control. The final lesson culminates in the pupils playing hockey in a game situation, where they can showcase the skills they have learnt throughout the unit. Teaching tips are provided to help educators adjust lesson timings and offer individual or small group support as needed to ensure all pupils can progress and apply their skills in game situations.