Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
Sports Participation
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Sports Participation
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Subject: Physical Education Health Core
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: 2.1.2.LI.12
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.2.LI.12
Theme: Physical Activity and Health
Subtheme: Sports Participation
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This lesson introduces learners to the fundamental skills of field hockey, focusing specifically on the 'hit'. Hockey is an exciting, fast-paced team sport played internationally. In Ghana, our national teams, the "Black Sticks," represent us with pride. Learning the basics of hockey not only opens up a new sporting opportunity but also helps develop crucial life skills such as hand-eye coordination, teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. This lesson will move from understanding the theory behind a successful hit to applying it in practical drills.
This section breaks down the essential knowledge required to master the hockey hit. We will cover the grip, stance, the hit itself, and a comparison with the push pass. A. The Basic Hockey Grip The grip is the foundation of every skill in hockey. If the grip is wrong, you cannot control the ball properly. Left Hand: Place your left hand at the very top of the stick, with the back of your hand facing outwards. The "V" shape formed by your thumb and index finger should be aligned with the flat face of the stick. Right Hand: Place your right hand about halfway down the stick. The "V" shape of this hand should also align with the flat face of the stick. Analogy: Imagine you are shaking hands with the stick. Your grip should be firm but not tense. The left hand guides the stick, while the right hand provides the power. B. The Stance (Body Position) Your body position determines your balance and the power you can generate. Feet: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Knees: Bend your knees slightly to lower your centre of gravity. This gives you stability. Body Orientation: Stand sideways to your target, with your non-dominant shoulder (usually the left shoulder) pointing towards where you want the ball to go. Ball Position: The ball should be placed slightly in front of you and in line with your front foot (left foot for a right-handed player). C. The Hit Technique (Step-by-Step Breakdown) The hit is the most powerful pass or shot in hockey. It is a sweeping motion, not a golf swing.
Step 1: The Backswing From your stance, swing the stick backwards. The backswing should not go higher than your shoulder to ensure safety and control. Keep your eyes on the ball throughout the entire motion. Your weight should shift slightly to your back foot.
Step 2: The Downswing and Contact Swing the stick forward smoothly and accelerate through the ball. Transfer your body weight from your back foot to your front foot as you swing. This generates power. The point of contact should be when the stick head is next to your front foot. Strike the ball with the flat face of the stick. You should hear a solid "click" sound.
Step 3: The Follow-Through After hitting the ball, allow the stick to continue its swing forward in the direction of the target. The follow-through should not go higher than your shoulder. This ensures the ball stays low and safe, and it also helps with accuracy. Finish in a balanced position, with your eyes still looking up in the direction the ball went. D. The Difference Between a 'Hit' and a 'Push' Pass To understand the hit better, it's useful to compare it to the 'push' pass, which is used for shorter, more controlled passes.