Lesson 4 - Consolidating Dribbling Skills
Foundation Feet Skills and Ball Control for Young Learners
•Year 1
•Ball Skills
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we keep control of our ball while moving safely away from defenders?
Learning Objectives
- Consolidate understanding of where to dribble and why we need to find space
- Develop dribbling technique keeping the ball away from opponents
- Understand the consequences of not moving into space while dribbling
Key Outcomes
- Students can dribble their ball with increasing control using both feet
- Students understand why moving into space is important for keeping possession
- Students can adjust speed and direction to avoid defenders while maintaining ball control
Equipment & Resources Required
Balls distributed around area perimeter before lesson starts
Alternative: Large playground balls, tennis balls for easier control
Mark boundaries and create gates for extension activities
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk marks
For identifying ice monsters clearly
Alternative: Coloured bands, different coloured tops
Key Vocabulary
Moving the ball along the ground using small touches with your feet
Keeping the ball close to you so it doesn't roll away
An empty area where there are no other people or obstacles
Pretend characters who try to tag you and freeze you in the game
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 familiarity and simple kicking actions
- Understanding of personal space and moving safely
- Simple following and copying movements
Current Skills
- Controlled dribbling with increasing accuracy
- Spatial awareness while moving with a ball
- Understanding of basic game concepts like avoiding defenders
Next Steps
- Dribbling under pressure from multiple defenders
- Passing to teammates when space is limited
- Simple attacking and defending tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ball control means keeping the ball close enough to touch with your next step
- Looking up while dribbling helps you see space and avoid collisions
- Using different parts of your foot gives you more control and options
- Moving into space makes it harder for defenders to take your ball
- Good teammates communicate and help each other succeed
- Practice makes permanent - focus on quality touches over speed
- Decision-making improves with experience in game-like situations
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: 'Harder kicks make you faster' - Correction: Small, controlled touches maintain speed with control
- Misconception: 'Only use your strong foot' - Correction: Both feet make you unpredictable and more skilled
- Misconception: 'Always look at the ball' - Correction: Quick glances at ball, most time looking ahead
- Misconception: 'Space means empty area only' - Correction: Space can be created by moving away from crowded areas
- Misconception: 'Ice monsters are the enemy' - Correction: Everyone has different roles that help learning
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear boundaries, give specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Use larger balls for easier control, allow extra practice time, provide step-by-step breakdowns, celebrate small improvements
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedule if helpful, allow break-out space if overwhelmed, maintain consistent rules
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of spatial layout, pair with sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for stop/start, demonstrate all instructions clearly, ensure student can see teacher at all times
physical disability
- Allow use of hands if needed, provide larger/lighter balls, modify tagging rules for wheelchair users, adjust area size
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting toe taps and ice monster scores, understanding distance and space concepts, timing activities with seconds and minutes
Science
Understanding forces when kicking balls, friction between ball and ground, body movement and balance concepts
Geography
Spatial awareness and navigation around area, understanding of directions and pathways, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, following rules and fairness, resilience when facing challenges, supporting others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of area for optimal view, step into space to support struggling students
Observation Focus
Watch for ball control, spatial awareness, and safety during all activities
Intervention Points
["Step in if ice monsters become too physical", "Support students who consistently lose ball control", "Redirect students who are not following safety rules"]
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate with exaggerated movements for visibility, use positive examples from students when possible, show common mistakes to help students recognise and avoid them
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft touches!' for better ball control
- •'Find space!' when students get too crowded
- •'Head up!' to encourage scanning
- •'Gentle tagging!' to maintain safety
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 20m clear area, preferably larger for advanced groups
Surface Check
Level, non-slip surface free from obstacles, suitable for ball rolling
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All balls properly inflated and checked for damage
- •Cones have no sharp edges and are visible
- •Bibs clean and appropriate size
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students while dribbling
- •Tripping over loose balls
- •Ice monsters being too physical when tagging
- •Students becoming overexcited during games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate space for all students
- •Emphasis on controlled movements and looking up
- •Strict rule about gentle tagging only
- •Regular calm-down reminders during activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all students
- •Move around area to monitor ice monster behaviour
- •Watch for students struggling with ball control
Emergency Procedures
Standard first aid protocols, stop activity immediately if injury occurs, ice packs available for minor knocks