School Field Hockey: Modified Penalty Corner
A school field hockey set piece where the attacking team inserts the ball from the end line, stops it at the top of the circle, and shoots or combines while a four-player defense rushes out. Students work on designing set plays and organized defense.
How to play
- Mark a 10-yard semicircle with cones in front of each small goal and an insertion spot on the end line about 5 yd from the post; teams of 6 with a goalkeeper in protective gear (2 min).
- Demo (3 min): one player pushes the ball along the ground to the top of the circle, a second stops it with the stick, and a third shoots or passes to a teammate at the post.
- Design (3 min): each team creates two plays, one direct shot and one side pass, and names them.
- Alternating corners (10 min): each team takes 6 corners against the other team's 4 defenders plus a goalkeeper, who rush out from the end line on the insertion. A goal from a set play is 2 points; a steal that clears the ball out of the circle is 1 point for the defense.
- Debrief (2 min): which play worked best, and how did the defense adjust?
Rules
- No lifted shots: only shots along the ground or pushes.
- Defenders leave the end line only when the ball is inserted.
- The stick never goes above the waist, whether hitting or defending.
- The goalkeeper wears a helmet or face mask, and defenders do not dive to stop the ball.
Variations
Easier
Two defenders and no goalkeeper, with smaller goals.
Standard
4 defenders plus a goalkeeper and set-play goals worth 2.
Harder
The defense does not know which play is coming, and the offense has only 5 seconds after the insertion.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: takes the insertion from the end line, which requires no movement.
- Autism: each play is drawn on a card showing everyone's role.
- Lower skill level: is the stopper instead of the shooter.
Learning goals
- Design and run set plays.
- Stop the ball under control to set up a shot.
- Organize a coordinated defensive rush.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hockey sticks: 25
- Balls: 8
- Small goals: 2
- Pinnies: 13
- Cones: 16
- Whistle: 1
Teacher tip
Stopping the ball is where most plays break down: let the stopper use a hand in the easier version. Make sure nobody without protection stands in the shooting line.
PatioLab has "School Field Hockey: Modified Penalty Corner" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for High School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-2-3-2-1 Running Pyramid Intervals
An interval workout where the fast segments build from 1 to 3 minutes and back down, with half that time as jogging recovery.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.