Lesson 3 - Applying Dribbling with Control
Foundation Feet Skills and Ball Control for Young Learners
•Year 1
•Ball Skills
•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 we keep control of our ball while moving into space away from defenders?
Learning Objectives
- Apply dribbling skills with feet in game situations
- Develop spatial awareness to avoid opponents
- Understand the importance of ball control in games
Key Outcomes
- Students will dribble with increasing control using both feet
- Students will move into space to avoid defenders
- Students will understand why control is important in games
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute around perimeter before lesson starts
Alternative: Size 3 footballs or smaller balls for better control
Scattered across space as obstacles/markers
Alternative: Bean bags, hoops, or markers
For identifying ice monsters and sunshine players
Alternative: Different coloured bands or hats
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball along the ground using your feet while keeping control
Keeping the ball close and under your command
An empty area where you can move safely
Players trying to take the ball away from you
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet
- Understanding of personal space
- Following simple game rules
Current Skills
- Applying dribbling in game contexts
- Moving into space awareness
- Ball control under pressure
Next Steps
- Dribbling with both feet confidently
- Passing to teammates
- More complex game situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise gentle touches for ball control rather than hard kicks
- Connect control to keeping the ball 'within arm's reach'
- Use ice monster imagery to make defensive pressure fun not scary
- Praise effort and improvement over natural ability
- Link spatial awareness to safety and game success
- Encourage honesty about rule following
- Celebrate teamwork through sunshine rescue system
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking control means stopping the ball completely - explain it means the ball does what you want
- Believing hard kicks show skill - demonstrate that gentle touches show true control
- Assuming speed is more important than control - show how control prevents losing possession
- Thinking space is just empty area - explain it's about safe, tactical positioning
- Believing being tagged is failure - frame it as learning opportunity and chance to practice toe taps
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback and movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger slower balls, simplified rules, extra practice time, focus on effort over outcome
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet zone available, consistent routine and structure
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal descriptions of ice monster positions, buddy system with sighted partner
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for game commands, written instruction cards
physical disability
- Seated dribbling option, larger lighter balls, reduced area for wheelchair access
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting toe taps to 10, scoring system for ice monsters, spatial concepts of near and far
Science
Understanding forces when kicking ball, friction between ball and surface, body movement and exercise
Geography
Directional awareness, mapping movement around space, understanding of position and location
PSHE
Cooperation with sunshine helpers, honesty about being tagged, resilience after making mistakes
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for clear view of all students, position near ice monsters during game phases
Observation Focus
Watch for ball control development, spatial awareness, and rule following
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggle with control, break down skills for individuals, ensure fair play
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate both correct and incorrect techniques for comparison, involve confident students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Gentle touches!'
- •'Eyes up, look for space!'
- •'Keep it close!'
- •'Well done, that's brilliant control!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear area, indoor hall or outdoor playground
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated but not over-hard
- •Ensure cones/markers have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify bibs are clean and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students while dribbling
- •Slips and falls on unsuitable surfaces
- •Ball strikes to face or body
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and understood
- •Adequate spacing maintained between activities
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Ice monsters restricted to spot positions
- •Emphasis on controlled movement
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor ice monster areas for fair play
- •Watch for students who may need additional support
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid if needed, contact school first aider if required