Tactical Problem – Creating Space in Attack

Lesson focus:  Use of Field Space

Skill objective:  To teach the students how to utilize the full amount of space given on field hockey field

Introductory task/game

Ball Tag (as in lesson #2)

Skill/Concept development tasks/games

Three mini-games were used to create an understanding of the importance of using the space given on the field.

3 vs. 0

- Three students stood on four cones shaped as a four-cone square, leaving one cone empty. One student was given a whiffle ball and was to pass to one of the other students as they ran to the open cone. Once they had moved and caught the ball, they would remain at that cone and pass the ball to another student moving to the new open cone.

See Game Outline for “Endball” breakdown

Game and culminating activity: 

Only for the games portion of the lesson were field hockey sticks and balls used. Once the students had and understanding of the use of field space real field hockey games were played, varying the teams to ensure different opponents were competed against.

3 vs. 1

- Once familiar with this game, a student was placed in the middle, as a defender, and tried to intercept the passes

Endball

- End ball is a form of Ultimate Frisbee but played with a larger ball (soccer or volleyball) and stresses the necessity for movement off the ball due to the restriction of movement when holding the ball.