Floor hockey PE lesson plans are more than just a fun way to get students moving—they help young learners develop key skills like stick handling, passing, and shooting. These fast-paced and engaging activities also promote coordination, teamwork, and spatial awareness, making them a valuable addition to any physical education class.
In this article, we’ll explore how floor hockey games for elementary PE align with SHAPE standards, preview a variety of exciting game options with activity descriptions, and share a sample floor hockey PE lesson plan lesson from PLT4M’s K-5 program to help bring these essential skills to life in your classroom.
Putting The Fun In Floor Hockey Games For Elementary
Floor hockey PE lesson plans go beyond just playing full games—there are countless creative and effective ways to help students build skills like stick handling, passing, and shooting.
Using larger or softer balls, playing modified versions of traditional games, and breaking activities into smaller drills or stations can make floor hockey more accessible and engaging for younger students. These variations not only keep students active and involved but also create a supportive environment where everyone can learn at their own pace.
By incorporating different approaches to teaching floor hockey, educators can ensure students develop confidence and competence while having fun.
Get Free Sample Lessons!
Explore our K-5 Curriculum with these select Lesson Plans from some of our most popular Units. Each lesson includes a one page lesson overview, equipment checklist, game setup, teaching cues, standard alignment and more!
Standard Aligned Floor Hockey PE Lesson Plans
Many elementary PE teachers start with SHAPE Standard 1 (Developing a variety of motor skills) to ensure key physical skills are introduced and practiced throughout the year. Floor hockey games for elementary PE effectively support this standard, especially through activities focused on stickhandling, passing, and shooting.
Striking Standards (Using a Long-Handled Implement):
PreK–2: 1.2.14 Demonstrates striking with a long-handled implement in a variety of non-dynamic practice tasks.
Grades 3–5: 1.5.11 Demonstrates striking with a long-handled implement in a variety of practice tasks.
Beyond motor skill development, floor hockey PE lesson plans also supports various other SHAPE K–5 sub-standards.
In particular, floor hockey aligns with standards related to teamwork, strategy, and global awareness. As a fast-paced, invasion-style game played in many cultures and communities, it also encourages students to see physical activity as a fun and valuable part of life outside of PE class. Examples of these standards include:
2.5.2 Demonstrates knowledge of offensive strategies in small-sided invasion practice tasks.
2.5.3 Demonstrates knowledge of defensive strategies in small-sided invasion practice tasks.
3.2.10 Identifies and participates in physical activities representing different cultures.
3.5.7 Describes physical activities that represent a variety of cultures around the world.
4.5.8 Identifies physical activity opportunities outside of physical education class.
Teaching Cues for Floor Hockey Games in Elementary PE
Stickhandling, passing, and shooting are essential components of a successful floor hockey experience for young students. As physical education teachers, it’s important to focus on key teaching cues that promote skill development, proper technique, and game awareness—while also emphasizing safety. With the right instruction and encouragement, students can build confidence and enjoy the game as they grow their abilities.
Here are some important teaching cues and progression levels for floor hockey skills:
Stickhandling Teaching Cue Progression: Puck Control
Beginner – Drag
Keep the blade on the floor to the side of your body (where your thumbs point).
Drag the puck or ball using the front of your blade.
This is the slowest and easiest way to control the puck and helps build confidence.
Intermediate – Tap
Keep the blade on the floor to the side of your body (thumbs pointing forward).
Make small, soft taps with the front of your blade as you move.
Focus on keeping the puck or ball close and under control at all times.
Advanced – Both Sides
Hold the blade in front of your body, flat on the floor.
Use both sides of the blade to move the puck or ball in a side-to-side motion while traveling.
This allows for quicker movements while maintaining control.
Safety Rules & Reminders for Floor Hockey:
Hands Apart on the Stick: Increases control and reduces wild swings.
Blades Down: Always keep the blade of the stick on the floor—no high sticking allowed.
Awareness: Watch for other players and keep control to prevent collisions or accidental contact.
These cues and progressions provide a good start and safe approach to teaching floor hockey in elementary PE. With clear guidance and developmentally appropriate instruction, students can build strong foundational skills and enjoy the excitement of this fast-paced, team-based game.
11 Floor Hockey Games For Elementary PE
In PLT4M’s library of over 150 elementary PE lesson plans, there are 11 floor hockey games for elementary PE to choose from:
6 Goal Floor Hockey – A floor hockey lead-up game played in 6 small groups.
All Clear – A large-group, floor hockey activity designed to get teams working together to clear pucks/balls from their side of the playing area into the opposing team’s side.
Color Shootout – A large-group, lead-up game designed to get teams working together to get all their color pucks/balls into the opposing team’s nets first.
Critter Keepers – A small group activity designed to practice striking a ball with a hockey stick at a hoop in order to collect a critter.
Floor Hockey Frenzy – An individual, floor hockey activity designed to get students working to stickhandle pucks/balls to open spaces while avoiding obstacles.
Goals & Saves – A partner, floor hockey activity designed to get all students working on shooting and goaltending.
Shoot Pucks, Get Bucks – A small-group game that focuses on shooting at goals of different sizes to earn money.
Stick Handling Color Maps – A cooperative, skill practice activity with a partner that gets students engaged in stick handling a puck/ball to different colored spots.
Stick Handling Progressions – Individual stickhandling activities designed to help students practice keeping the puck close and under control in a variety of settings.
Stop & Go – A K-2 floor hockey activity designed to help students practice keeping the puck close and under control while moving to open spaces.
Team Pin Knockdown – A large-group game that focuses on using force to hit a ball with a hockey stick across the center line in an attempt to knockdown opponent’s pins.
Get Free Sample Lessons!
Explore our K-5 Curriculum with these select Lesson Plans from some of our most popular Units. Each lesson includes a one page lesson overview, equipment checklist, game setup, teaching cues, standard alignment and more!
Sample Lesson From PLT4M’s Floor Hockey Games For Elementary PE
Check out one of PLT4M’s floor hockey games for elementary PE. Featured in this blog is, “Team Pin Knockdown”
In each lesson, PLT4M provides the following materials and resources for successful implementation of fun and exciting PE games and activities:
Activity Sheet – Great For Lesson Prep or PE Sub Plans!
Equipment Checklist
Game Set Up
Step by Step Directions
Best Practices
Key Takeaways on Floor Hockey Games for Elementary PE
A successful floor hockey unit doesn’t rely solely on full games—it thrives on variety. By incorporating skill progressions, modified activities, and creative small-sided games, you can design a floor hockey unit plan that keeps students engaged while developing key skills like stickhandling, passing, and shooting.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your instruction, having a structured set of floor hockey lesson plans ensures students of all abilities can build confidence and improve over time. And while this post highlights just a few ideas, PLT4M offers comprehensive resources to support your teaching—including full units, ready-to-use lessons, and more.
If you’re looking for a good place to start or expand your PE curriculum, PLT4M has the tools to help you make floor hockey fun, safe, and skill-building for every student.
Bonus – Check Out Other Elementary Physical Education Content
- PE Games For Elementary
- Elementary PE Lesson Plans
- Elementary Physical Education Curriculum
- Throwing And Catching Games For Elementary PE
- Jump Rope Activities For Elementary PE
- Basketball Games For Elementary PE
- Invasion Games For Elementary PE
- Tag Games For Elementary PE
- Teaching Underhand Roll Via Bowling Lesson Plans
- Mike Graham, PE Teacher, Partners With PLT4M
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