Hockey in Education:
4 Helpful Steps to Making the Most of Your Hockey Delivery Strategy
Teach Youth Hockey…
Hockey - The perfect sport to teach in schools , it is inclusive, fun, and dynamic! This vigorous sport is ideal for boys and girls of all ages; participation in group training sessions improves their mental health, social skills, and collaboration and keeps them physically active.
Basic rules…
Games or drills can be delivered indoors and outdoors. The most popular version of the game includes 11 players a side. Players try to score points by driving the ball into the opponent’s goals with a hockey stick. The great advantage of it is that it can be played on various surfaces: school playgrounds, grass fields, indoor sports halls and artificial turf surfaces.
Delivering Hockey in Education…
Ensuring pupils are engaged in hockey for the right reasons is key. It is important everyone has fun all the while practising their skills. Passionate supporters of this internationally popular Olympic sport, introduce children to it as early as primary school age. The goal is to promote physical activity and develop coordination and balance. The list of benefits is exhaustive! Check our blog on Top 5 Benefits of Hockey.
Take it Step by Step…
Introduce your students to hockey and start a life-long passion for the game. Initial delivery will depend on a few factors. The below steps will help support easy induction:
Remember to have fun!
First impressions are the most important. Introductory games should be easy for beginners to make fast, positive progress, and rules simplified to allow for an experience that will motivate them to come back and try again.
Pick a game format suitable for the age and stage of the students.
According to England Hockey the below three formats are suited for introduction in secondary education:
Source: England Hockey
Choose the correct equipment appropriate for the age and size of your students.
Always consider your needs and game level: basic equipment for beginners, and advanced gear for experienced players. The must-haves are listed below:
Encourage practice and good sportsmanship.
Hockey is a perfect sport to teach students how important good sportsmanship is. Teachers and parents should be a leading example of positive approaches and can-do attitudes. Always show your pupils how to be respectful and supportive towards team players, both on the field and off it. Students follow by example!
Finally…
The game can be a way to learn basic life skills, like teamwork, discipline and respect for others. It is also a great way to develop physical coordination and mental agility. Having said that, this sport mustn’t be seen only as a competitive game to increase physical activity. With minimal equipment and basic rules, it can be a source of great fun, filled with cheer and excited kids.
