Unit Plan 12 (Grade 5 PE): Floor Hockey — Tactics & Team Play

Focus: Develop controlled striking, passing into open lanes, offensive support, and defensive angle play through small-sided floor hockey with assigned positions and simple line changes.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Physical Education (Invasion Games • Implement Skills • Team Tactics & Safety)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students build floor hockey skills through activities that emphasize control, teamwork, and smart decision-making instead of just chasing the puck or ball. They begin with stick-handling in small spaces while defenders apply safe shadow pressure, helping students protect the puck/ball and keep their heads up. Students then move into passing in motion and 3v3 or 4v4 floor hockey with simple positions such as forward, defense, and goalie, plus basic line changes so everyone stays involved. Throughout the unit, students practice using the stick safely, moving into open lanes on offense, supporting teammates without crowding, and defending with body position and angles rather than wild swings.

Essential Questions

• How can I use my stick to control, pass, and shoot with better direction and power?
• What does good team support look like on offense in floor hockey?
• How can defenders use angles and positioning to slow down attackers without unsafe play?
• Why do positions, line changes, and safety rules help floor hockey run more smoothly?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Strike and control a puck/ball with a hockey stick using appropriate direction, force, and control in practice and game play.
2. Combine multiple floor hockey skills in sequence, such as stick-handle → pass → move to support → receive → shoot.
3. Move to open space on offense and adjust body position on defense to protect important lanes and support safe team play.
4. Adjust the force, timing, and angle of passes and shots based on distance, defenders, and target space.
5. Apply simple offensive strategies such as moving into open lanes, passing ahead of teammates, and supporting the puck/ball carrier.
6. Apply simple defensive strategies such as containment, angle play, and helping protect the goal area.
7. Follow floor hockey safety rules consistently and help others use equipment correctly and safely.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.5e – Striking with Implements for Direction & Power Strike a stationary or moving object with a short- or long-handled implement (paddle, racket, bat, stick) with control of direction, trajectory, and power.
  • Example: Students strike balls to specific areas of the field in wiffle ball, or place forehand and backhand shots into open spaces in racket games.
• PE:S1.5f – Combining Multiple Skills in Game Sequences Combine multiple skills (dribble, pass, catch, strike, run, dodge, jump, shoot) fluently and appropriately during game-like sequences.
  • Example: In a modified invasion game, a student dribbles to space, passes to a teammate, cuts toward the goal, receives a return pass, and shoots.
• PE:S2.5a – Space Awareness & Positioning in Team Games Consistently move to open space on offense and adjust positioning on defense to support team play and maintain safety.
  • Example: In 4v4 games, students spread out on offense to create passing lanes and reposition on defense to protect key areas of the court or field.
• PE:S2.5c – Adjusting Effort, Force, and Timing for Task Demands Adjust speed, force, angle, and timing of movements based on distance, defenders, and type of shot, pass, or throw required.
  • Example: Students throw softly to a nearby teammate but use greater force and a higher angle when throwing over defenders to a distant partner.
• PE:S2.5d – Offensive Strategies: Creating & Using Advantages Apply basic offensive strategies such as creating numerical advantages, give-and-go, using screens, and selecting high-percentage scoring opportunities.
  • Example: In 3v3 basketball or handball, students set simple screens, drive to draw a defender, then pass to an open teammate for a better shot.
• PE:S2.5e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Containment, & Help Defense Apply defensive strategies including marking a player, maintaining proper body position, containing attackers, and providing help defense.
  • Example: Students stay between their assigned player and the goal, communicate switches, and step in to help when a teammate is beaten on defense.
• PE:S4.5a – Consistent Rule-Following & Safety Leadership Consistently follow rules, class routines, and safety procedures and help others follow them without frequent reminders.
  • Example: Students use equipment correctly, respect boundaries, and remind peers to stop and listen when they hear the teacher’s whistle.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can use my stick to control, pass, and shoot with better accuracy and control.
• I can move into open space to help my teammates instead of crowding the puck/ball.
• I can play defense by using my feet, position, and angles instead of unsafe stick swings.
• I can understand my job as a forward, defender, or goalie and switch lines safely when told.
• I can follow floor hockey rules and use equipment in a safe way all class long.