KS2 · Physical education · Year 5
Denying space and defending
Invasion games: shooting, scoring and denying space through hockey
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can deny my opponents space and understand how to defend in order to prevent attacking opportunities.
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Denying space and defending: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can deny my opponents space and understand how to defend in order to prevent attacking opportunities.
Key learning points
- Move: to block tackle safely, we need a low body position, with the stick on the ground making contact with the ball.
- Move: staying close and marking will either force an error or enable us to make a tackle and take the ball.
- Think: we block the attackers to stop them passing or shooting and must always be in the front position, not behind.
- Feel: when defending, it is important to be a good role model and play within the rules showing self discipline.
- Connect: communication skills are required to ensure all our teammates are marking the right player.
Words to know
- opponent
- a person who is on an opposing side in a game
- marking
- closely guarding our opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball or from passing the ball to others
- tackle
- using the hockey stick to block the ball and disrupt the opponent's dribble, pass or shot.
Common mistakes
When defending and marking, pupils focus too much on the ball instead of watching their opponent.
Encourage pupils to always be aware of the player they are marking by constantly checking where they are. Discourage pupils chasing after the ball when their teamate is closer to it.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Use slow walk through demonstrations of the tackling technique to visually illustrate the skill before having the pupils practise. Emphasise the need for good timing over being overly aggressive when tackling.