Basic 6 · Physical Education · Manipulative Skills
Hockey: Rolling the Ball with a Stick in a Game
In this topic you will use a stick to control, pass and roll a ball in a simple hockey game situation.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Hold the hockey stick correctly
- Dribble, pass and stop the ball
- Play a small-sided hockey game safely
What you already know
- Rolling a ball with a stick through obstacles (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Motor Skill And Movement Patterns
- Sub-strand
- Manipulative Skills
- Indicator
- B6.1.3.1.4 – Roll a ball using a stick in a game situation (hockey)
Introduction
Hockey is a fast team game in which players use sticks to move a ball and score goals. Ghana has national hockey teams, and the game is played in many schools.
1. Basic Skills
| Skill | How |
|---|---|
| grip | left hand at the top of the stick, right hand lower down; flat side of the stick faces the ball |
| dribbling | tap the ball gently forward with the flat side, keeping it close |
| push pass | place the stick behind the ball and push it smoothly to a teammate, without lifting |
| stopping (trapping) | angle the flat side of the stick to meet the ball and absorb its speed |
| shooting | a firm push or hit towards the goal from inside the shooting circle |
2. Simple Rules
- Use only the flat side of the stick to play the ball.
- Do not raise the stick above shoulder height.
- Do not kick the ball or stop it with your body (except the goalkeeper).
- Do not hit, hook or obstruct another player's stick.
- A goal is scored when the ball goes into the goal after being touched inside the shooting circle.
3. A Small-Sided Game
Play 4 v 4 on a small pitch marked with cones, with small goals at each end. Each team must make at least two passes before shooting. Rotate players so everyone plays in attack and defence. The teacher acts as umpire.
4. Teamwork and Space
Use the skills from earlier lessons: move into space to receive passes, spread out across the pitch and call for the ball. Good hockey teams pass more than they dribble because passing moves the ball faster than running.
Safety: Keep sticks low at all times. Wear shin guards if available. Stop play immediately if someone is hit.
New words
- hockey
- A team game played with sticks and a ball.
- push pass
- Pushing the ball to a teammate along the ground.
- trapping
- Stopping the ball with the stick.
- shooting circle
- The area in front of the goal where goals can be scored from.
- umpire
- The official in hockey.
- obstruction
- Blocking an opponent unfairly.
Summary
- Grip the stick with the left hand on top and use the flat side.
- Dribble, push pass and trap the ball.
- Keep sticks low and follow the rules.
- Pass and use space to play as a team.
Class activity: Mini Hockey
- Mark a small pitch with cones and goals.
- Play 4 v 4 with the two-pass rule.
- After the game, discuss which skills helped your team.
You need: Locally made ball, Smooth wooden stick, Plastic-bottle targets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which side of the stick is used?
- A. The flat side
- B. The rounded side
- C. Both sides
- D. The handle
Show answer
Answer: The flat sideRule of hockey.2. Pushing the ball along the ground to a teammate is a…
- A. push pass
- B. hook
- C. kick
- D. trap
Show answer
Answer: push passWithout lifting.3. The hockey official is called the…
- A. umpire
- B. referee only
- C. captain
- D. coach
Show answer
Answer: umpireHockey term.4. Sticks should be kept low for safety.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBelow shoulder height.5. Players may kick the ball in hockey.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseOnly the goalkeeper may use the body.6. Stopping the ball with the stick is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: trappingAbsorbs speed.7. State three rules of hockey.
Show answer
Answer: Use only the flat side, keep the stick low, do not kick the ball (or no obstruction).Any three.8. Why do good hockey teams pass more than they dribble?
Show answer
Answer: Passing moves the ball faster than running and helps beat defenders.Teamwork.
Homework
- Practise dribbling a ball with a stick around objects for 10 minutes.