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New
New
Year 5

Dribbling and control

I can use my dribbling skills in order to keep control and possession of the ball.

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New
New
Year 5

Dribbling and control

I can use my dribbling skills in order to keep control and possession of the ball.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: dribbling requires bent knees and holding the stick with both hands, positioning our right hand slightly lower.
  2. Move: dribbling with control requires keeping the ball close to our stick and looking up to identify space.
  3. Think: choosing the correct time to dribble into space makes it difficult for the defender to gain possession.
  4. Feel: striving to improve our dribbling technique even when it’s difficult, demonstrates self-discipline.
  5. Connect: congratulating our opponents and playing by the rules shows respect.

Keywords

  • Dribbling - moving the ball using the flat side of the hockey stick

  • Control - keeping the ball close and moving it where you want it to go

  • Possession - the team in control of the ball

Common misconception

Pupils use the curved side of their stick.

Encourage pupils to use the flat side of their stick, rotating it when changing direction. Challenge pupils, but be lenient as they develop this difficult skill.


To help you plan your year 5 physical education lesson on: Dribbling and control, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Whenever possible, pause the session and use pupils to model good practice and allow others to peer assess each other. This should highlight those pupils focusing on their close control.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 hockey stick per pupil, 2 suitable balls per pupil, 30+ cones, 15x hoops

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

4 Questions

Q1.
In a game, what does the team in possession have?
more points
more players
Correct answer: the ball
Q2.
What is it called when you move the ball with your hockey stick?
Correct answer: dribbling
tackling
defending
Q3.
What are you showing when you play by the rules?
skill
Correct answer: respect
determination
Q4.
What type of game is hockey?
net game
Correct answer: invasion game
striking and fielding

4 Questions

Q1.
When you dribble with control, the hockey stick should always be close to what?
your knee
Correct answer: the ball
the defender
Q2.
What is one way you can make it difficult for a defender to gain possession from you?
Correct answer: dribbling into space
hitting hard
marking them
Q3.
What is most important when dribbling the ball in hockey?
going fast
Correct answer: keeping close control
using 1 hand
Q4.
How can you demonstrate self-discipline in hockey?
fast dribbling
good communication
Correct answer: striving to improve