Unit Plan 10 (Grade 6 PE): Floor Hockey — Team Systems

Focus: Develop more consistent stick control, smarter movement into open lanes, and stronger understanding of simple offensive shape and defensive coverage in small-sided floor hockey.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Physical Education

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–55 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this Grade 6 Physical Education unit, students build the team habits needed to play organized and safe floor hockey. Through stick-handling, passing, supporting the puck carrier, and defending space, students learn that floor hockey is not just about chasing the puck or swinging hard. Instead, successful play depends on controlled striking, moving into open lanes, maintaining simple team shape, and making smart decisions under pressure. Students also begin understanding the difference between man-to-man defense and zone defense, and how both systems help protect important scoring space. By the end of the week, students should be able to explain how offensive support, passing lanes, and defensive positioning improve team performance in floor hockey.

Essential Questions

• How can players use passing lanes and team shape to create better offense?
• What makes floor hockey safer and more successful than simply chasing the puck?
• How do man-to-man and zone defense help teams protect space?
• How do force, angle, and timing affect passing and shooting decisions?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Strike, pass, receive, and control the puck or ball with better direction, power, and consistency.
2. Combine stick-handling, passing, moving, receiving, and shooting in smoother game sequences.
3. Move into open space and maintain simple offensive shape such as a triangle or diamond.
4. Adjust force, angle, and timing when passing or shooting based on distance and pressure.
5. Apply simple offensive strategies by supporting the puck carrier and creating passing options.
6. Apply defensive strategies such as man-to-man coverage, zone awareness, pass denial, and help defense.
7. Follow safety expectations consistently when using sticks and moving in shared space.

Standards Alignment — Grade 6 PE (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.6e – Striking with Implements for Direction, Power, and Consistency Strike stationary and moving objects with short- and long-handled implements (paddle, racket, bat, stick) with consistent contact, controlled power, and intended direction.
  • Example: In floor hockey, students use controlled stick contact to pass into open lanes, receive safely, and shoot with intended direction instead of wild force.
• PE:S1.6f – Integrating Multiple Skills in Fluid Game Sequences Combine multiple skills—such as dribbling, passing, catching, striking, running, dodging, and shooting—smoothly and appropriately during extended game sequences.
  • Example: A student controls the puck, passes to a teammate, moves into support space, receives again, and takes a controlled shot in a small-sided game.
• PE:S2.6a – Space Awareness & Positioning in Team and Individual Games Demonstrate consistent understanding of offensive and defensive space by moving to open areas, adjusting position relative to teammates, opponents, and scoring areas.
  • Example: In 4v4 or 5v5 floor hockey, students avoid clustering, keep a simple triangle or diamond shape, and defend important space around the goal.
• PE:S2.6c – Adjusting Effort, Force, Angle, and Timing Based on Context Adjust speed, effort, force, angle, and timing of movements and skills according to distance, defensive pressure, and scoring or placement goals.
  • Example: Students use a softer push pass for short control and a firmer pass when trying to move the puck quickly across space.
• PE:S2.6d – Offensive Strategies: Creating and Exploiting Advantages Apply offensive strategies such as creating space, using give-and-go, setting simple screens, recognizing mismatches, and choosing high-percentage plays.
  • Example: In floor hockey, students create width, support the puck carrier, and move into open lanes for a better passing or shooting option.
• PE:S2.6e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Containment, and Help Defense Apply defensive principles such as marking a specific player, containing penetrations, maintaining good body position, and providing help defense when teammates are beaten.
  • Example: Students stay between their player and the goal, protect passing lanes, and help cover open space when a teammate is out of position.
• PE:S4.6a – Consistent Rule-Following and Safety for Self & Others Consistently follow rules, procedures, and safety expectations, and model safe behavior with equipment, space, and classmates.
  • Example: Students keep sticks low, avoid dangerous swings, respect boundaries, and stop immediately on signal.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can use my stick with better control and direction.
• I can pass into open lanes and move to support the puck carrier.
• I can stay in simple team shape on offense and defense.
• I can defend passing lanes and help my teammates.
• I can adjust the force of my passes and shots.
• I can follow floor hockey safety rules consistently.