Hockey - Lesson 6

In the sixth hockey lesson designed for Year 5 students, the aim is to apply the skills they have learned in a competitive environment. The learning objectives for this session include accurate dribbling, passing, adhering to the rules of tackling, and shooting with both accuracy and power. The equipment needed for this lesson comprises a class set of hockey sticks, balls, cones, and, if available, hockey posts and nets. The lesson begins with a warm-up where pupils are divided into two groups; one group dribbles balls through cone gates set up randomly within a large area, then passes to a pupil on the outside before swapping places. This exercise warms up the students for the main activity and helps to reinforce dribbling and passing techniques.

The main part of the lesson is dedicated to playing 'Quicksticks Hockey', where pupils are encouraged to utilise all the different skills they have learned in previous lessons. The class is divided into mixed-ability teams, pitches are set up, and a tournament is played, with goals marked by cones if hockey posts are not available. To cool down after the game, pupils engage in a series of stretches including arm circles, active eights, side stretches, quadriceps stretches, calf stretches, groin stretches, and hamstring stretches. These exercises are designed to help pupils cool down effectively while improving their flexibility and reducing the risk of injury.