Primary School Hockey – Stick Skills Start Young

Welcome to our Focus Sport series, where each half term we spotlight a sport that energises your PE curriculum. This term, we’re diving into Hockey – a fast-paced, skill-rich sport that’s perfect for primary school pupils. Whether you’re teaching Uni Hoc in KS1 or developing tactical play in Year 6, primary school hockey offers a brilliant blend of movement, teamwork, and fun.

Teaching Hockey in Primary Schools

At PE Planning, our hockey curriculum spans Year 1 to Year 6, with age-appropriate lesson plans designed to build skills progressively. For younger pupils, we introduce Uni Hoc—a simplified and safe version of hockey played indoors with plastic sticks and a soft ball. It’s a great introduction to hockey, especially perfect for developing hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

As pupils progress through KS2, our lessons evolve to include:

• Dribbling and passing techniques
• Defensive positioning
• Small-sided games
• Team tactics and communication

Our structured plans ensure that every child can participate, improve, and enjoy the game. Explore our full set of Primary School Hockey lesson plans here and see how easy it is to bring high-quality PE to your classroom.

Why Hockey is Perfect for Primary School

Hockey supports key outcomes in the primary PE curriculum:

• Builds agility, balance, and coordination
• Encourages teamwork and communication
• Develops strategic thinking and decision-making
• Promotes fair play and resilience

Our lesson plans are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and easy to deliver—even if you’re new to teaching hockey.

Download our Primary PE Hockey Resources

Hockey Beyond the School Gates

Hockey isn’t just a school sport-it’s a global phenomenon with a rich history and multiple formats. Did you know there are seven different types of hockey played around the world. These include…

• Field Hockey – Played on grass or turf; with a ball. This is popular in the UK, Australia and India.
• Ice Hockey – Fast paced, played on ice with skates and a puck; A huge sport in Canada, USA and Russia.
• Floor Hockey (Uni Hoc) – Played indoor with plastic sticks and a puck or a ball.
• Roller Hockey – Played with either a ball or a puck, but on roller skates.
• Rink Hockey – Played on a hard surface with roller boots and a ball.
• Sledge Hockey – Adapted for players with physical disabilities. This version is played on ice using sledges.
• Street Hockey – Informal, often played outdoor on a hard surface without skates.

This variety shows how hockey adapts to different environments and communities, making it one of the most versatile sports in the world.

A Brief History of Hockey

Understanding the history of hockey adds depth to your teaching and engages pupils beyond the pitch. Sharing these stories helps pupils appreciate hockey’s cultural significance and evolution. The origins of hockey can be traced back thousands of years:

• Ancient Roots: Many varieties of stick and ball games were played even before the middle ages! Played in ancient Egypt, Greece, Persia, as well as around Europe.
• Modern Field Hockey: Field hockey became a formal sport with standardised rules in England around the mid-19th century. The birth place of organised ice hockey is Canada, and was developed around the same time.
• Olympic Debut: Men’s field hockey joined the Olympics in 1908; Women’s hockey didn’t follow until 1980.
• Global Growth: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the international body for field hockey in the UK. Today, hockey is played in over 100 countries, with major tournaments such as the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games showcasing elite talent.

Spotlight on Professional Hockey

Spark curiosity amongst your pupils about where hockey can take them by sharing stories from the professional world. The UK’s Premier Division Hockey League features top talent, while international stars compete in the FIH Pro League and the Olympic Games. Watching clips of elite players can inspire children and help them visualise skills in action.

For example:

• Maddie Hinch, GB’s legendary goalkeeper, is a great role model for resilience, hard work and focus. Maddie helped Team GB win Olympic gold in 2016 and Bronze in 2020. The 2016 Olympic final is a great watch, and includes a final shootout where Hinch saves all four of the Dutch’s penalties! Thus, winning Great Britain their first women’s hockey gold!!
• Sam Ward, known for his powerful drag flicks, shows how precision and practise pay off. Sam is a powerful goal scorer for Great Britain who competed at three Olympic Games and two commonwealth games. His story of desire, commitment and fearlessness is motivating. Such as being the first male on his local junior team. Furthermore, after being struck in the face by a 50mph shot, Ward lost sight in his left eye, and required surgery leaving plates and screws in his face! Three months later he returned to the highest level, once again competing professionally and internationally.

Ready to Teach? We’ve Got you Covered!

Whether you’re new to teaching hockey or looking to refresh your approach, our lesson plans are designed to support you every step of the way. Each unit includes:

• Clear learning objectives
• Progressive skill development
• Assessment opportunities
• Equipment lists and safety tips

Browse all our lesson plans and get started today.

Final Whistle

Hockey is more than a game—it’s a gateway to movement, teamwork, and global awareness. By introducing it in primary schools, we’re not just teaching sport; we’re building confidence, curiosity, and community.

We’ll be back next half term with a new Focus Sport. Until then, keep your sticks low and your spirits high!

Finally, do you have any feedback or want to share your pupils’ hockey highlights? Tag us or drop us a message—we love hearing from you.

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