Lesson 5 - Tagging to Prevent Scoring
Fair Play: Sharks & Fishes
•Reception
•Invasion Games
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can defenders work together like sharks to stop attackers from escaping?
Learning Objectives
- Explore different ways of preventing an attacker from scoring a point through tagging
- Understand simple defensive principles and teamwork in games
- Develop spatial awareness and movement skills to catch or avoid other students
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to tag attackers effectively to prevent scoring
- Students will understand the consequences of not defending in games
- Students will demonstrate improved chasing, dodging and spatial awareness skills
Equipment & Resources Required
Mark boundaries and safety zones clearly
Alternative: Bean bags, markers, small hoops
One hoop per team for collecting score markers
Alternative: Small boxes, buckets, or marked circles
Fish place these in hoops when they score points
Alternative: Bean bags, small balls, or tokens
Key Vocabulary
A player trying to score points (the fish in our games)
A player trying to stop the attackers from scoring (the sharks)
Gently touching another player to catch them
Working together with your partner to achieve a goal
Getting points by reaching the target area safely
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and stopping on command
- Understanding of simple game rules
- Awareness of personal space
Current Skills
- Tagging other students safely
- Working in pairs to defend
- Understanding attack and defence roles
Next Steps
- More complex defensive strategies
- Larger team games with multiple defenders
- Understanding positional play
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise gentle, safe tagging technique throughout all activities
- Reinforce the importance of teamwork between defending sharks
- Connect defensive actions to preventing the opposition from scoring
- Use shark and fish theme consistently to maintain engagement
- Ensure all students experience both attacking and defending roles
- Celebrate good sportsmanship and rule-following
- Build understanding progressively from simple to more complex games
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that being rough makes you a better defender - emphasise controlled, strategic play
- Believing sharks should work individually - stress cooperation and communication
- Not understanding why preventing scoring matters - link to real sports and team games
- Confusion between attack and defence roles - use clear visual and verbal cues
- Thinking tagged fish can't play anymore - explain tail return and continuation
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent movement breaks built in, clear time limits for each activity, immediate positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Practice tagging technique extensively, use larger targets, allow extra processing time for rule changes
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson sections, designated quiet space if overwhelmed, consistent routines and signals
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of play area layout, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for start/stop, clear hand gestures, written instruction cards with pictures
physical disability
- Modify to seated/stationary versions, use different tagging methods (ball rolling), adjust play area size
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting scores and attempts, understanding numbers up to 5, simple addition of team scores
Science
Understanding how animals move (fish swimming, shark hunting), discussing predator and prey relationships
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, taking turns, following rules, being fair to others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand where you can see all groups simultaneously, move between groups to provide feedback
Observation Focus
Watch for gentle tagging technique, effective teamwork between sharks, and understanding of attack/defence roles
Intervention Points
Step in if tagging becomes rough, if students don't understand their roles, or if groups aren't working together effectively
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements when showing techniques, involve students in demonstrations to maintain engagement
Verbal Cues
- •'Gentle touches only!'
- •'Sharks, talk to your partner!'
- •'Remember to give the tail back!'
- •'Fish, use your dodging skills!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear area, preferably with soft surface (grass or gym mats)
Surface Check
Even surface free from holes, wet patches, or obstacles that could cause slipping
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Tails/bands are securely attached and not too long
- •Score tokens are large enough to prevent choking hazard
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during chasing games
- •Falls when changing direction quickly
- •Rough contact during tagging
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Emphasis on gentle tagging technique throughout
- •Adequate space between different groups playing
- •Progressive skill building from stationary to dynamic
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor tagging technique continuously
- •Watch for students becoming over-excited or rough
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, continue with remaining students only when safe to do so