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Hockey Maths

Hockey scores maths challenge

A child-friendly sports challenge using scores to practise addition with real examples.

Quick answer

You can use hockey scores to practice addition by adding up goals scored in each game, or by combining scores from different players or teams.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add up hockey scores from different games or players to find the total goals scored. Success signs:
  • You can add together two or more hockey scores
  • You can use real-life hockey examples to solve addition problems
  • You can find the total goals scored by one player or team
  • You can work out who scored the most goals in a hockey match

Why this matters

Hockey scores are all about numbers! When you watch hockey, you see goals being scored. Learning how to add these scores helps you understand how games work. It also helps you when you play hockey, keep track of your own goals, or even help your team win. Addition is used in many sports to keep scores, calculate points, and decide who wins. This skill helps you in school too, when you need to add up things like your pocket money, your points in a game, or how many toys you have.

How it works

To add up hockey scores, you simply need to:
  1. Look at the scores from different games or players
  2. Write them down or use counters
  3. Add them together using your fingers, blocks, or a number line
  4. Find the total number of goals
Let’s say your hockey team scored 3 goals in the first game and 5 goals in the second game. You add 3 + 5 = 8 goals in total. This is how you find the total score.

Examples you can see

Here are some examples of hockey scores that you can add up: Example 1: Adding goals in two games
  • Game 1: Team A scored 4 goals
  • Game 2: Team A scored 6 goals
Total goals = 4 + 6 = 10 goals Example 2: Adding goals from different players
  • Player 1 scored 2 goals
  • Player 2 scored 3 goals
  • Player 3 scored 1 goal
Total goals = 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 goals Example 3: Adding goals from a match
  • First period: 2 goals
  • Second period: 3 goals
  • Third period: 1 goal
Total goals = 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 goals You can also use a number line to help you add. For example, if you start at 4 and add 5, you move 5 steps forward to reach 9.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Hockey Score Tracker You are the official scorekeeper for your local hockey team! You have to record the goals scored in each game and then add them up to see how many goals your team scored in total. Game setup:
  • Game 1: Team scored 3 goals
  • Game 2: Team scored 5 goals
  • Game 3: Team scored 2 goals
Challenge: Add up the goals from all three games to find the total goals scored by your team. Steps:
  1. First game: 3 goals
  2. Second game: 5 goals
  3. Third game: 2 goals
Answer: 3 + 5 + 2 = 10 goals Mini challenge: What if your team scored 4 goals in the first game, 3 in the second, and 6 in the third? What is the total? Answer: 4 + 3 + 6 = 13 goals

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Adding numbers but forgetting to include one of them.
    Why it happens: Sometimes when adding, children get distracted or rush.
    Fix: Count each number slowly and double-check that you added them all.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 5 + 3 = 8, but accidentally writing 7.
    Why it happens: A child might misread or write numbers incorrectly.
    Fix: Use fingers, blocks, or a number line to help check your answer.
  • Mistake: Adding 2 + 2 + 2 and getting 6, but forgetting that 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
    Why it happens: Children sometimes confuse repeated addition with multiplication.
    Fix: Remind them that 2 + 2 + 2 = 6, which is also 3 × 2 = 6.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children practice hockey score addition by:
  • Playing a quick game of “Hockey Score Tracker” at home, using toy hockey sticks and counters
  • Looking at real hockey scores together and adding them up
  • Using everyday examples like counting how many cookies were eaten or how many goals were scored in a football match
  • Encouraging children to write down or draw the numbers to help them keep track
  • Reassuring them that it’s okay to make mistakes – that’s how we learn!
What to say:
  • “Let’s count how many goals we scored in our games today.”
  • “Can you help me add these numbers together?”
  • “You did a great job adding those goals!”
What not to worry about:
  • Children might make mistakes – that’s normal
  • They might need time to count or use fingers
  • They may not remember all the facts right away – that’s okay

Practice questions

  1. Team A scored 4 goals in one game and 5 goals in another. What is the total?
  2. Player 1 scored 2 goals, Player 2 scored 3 goals, and Player 3 scored 1 goal. What is the total?
  3. In a hockey match, the first period had 3 goals, the second had 2 goals, and the third had 4 goals. What is the total?
  4. Team B scored 6 goals in one game and 3 goals in another. What is the total?
  5. If you scored 5 goals in one game and 4 goals in another, how many goals did you score in total?
Answers:
  1. 4 + 5 = 9 goals
  2. 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 goals
  3. 3 + 2 + 4 = 9 goals
  4. 6 + 3 = 9 goals
  5. 5 + 4 = 9 goals

FAQ

What is the best way to add hockey scores?

The best way is to write the numbers down and add them one by one, or use a number line to help you count.

Can I add more than two hockey scores?

Yes! You can add as many scores as you want. Just keep adding them one by one.

Why do we need to add hockey scores?

Adding hockey scores helps us know how many goals a team or player scored in total. It helps us understand the game better and see who wins!

What if I make a mistake when adding?

That’s okay! Everyone makes mistakes. You can check your answer with fingers, counters, or by adding again.

Can I use hockey scores to learn other maths?

Yes! Hockey scores can help you learn addition, subtraction, and even how to compare numbers to see who scored more.