Lesson 6 - Competitive Attack and Defend Games
Attack & Defence Basics
•Year 1
•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 we use our attacking and defending skills to work as a team and win games?
Learning Objectives
- To participate in competitive games against others using attacking and defending skills
- To comment on how different attacking and defending skills help in games
- To work effectively as part of a team in competitive situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate attacking and defending skills in competitive games
- Students will explain how specific skills help their team succeed
- Students will show good teamwork and sportsmanship during competition
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute around playing area for easy access
Alternative: Soft play balls, tennis balls
Place 2 hoops at each end of playing areas as goals
Alternative: Cones arranged in circles, chalk circles
Different colour for each team, plus referees if needed
Alternative: Coloured bands, team markers
Mark playing area boundaries and pitch divisions
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines
For starting and stopping games clearly
Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals
Track scores for each game and overall competition
Alternative: Simple tally system, students as scorekeepers
Key Vocabulary
Moving toward the opponent's goal to try and score
Protecting your goal and trying to stop the other team from scoring
Playing games where teams try to beat each other
Plans and strategies used to help your team succeed
Working together with your teammates to achieve a common goal
Playing fairly and being respectful to opponents and teammates
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic underarm and overarm throwing techniques
- Simple defending by following the ball
- Understanding of attacking and defending concepts
- Basic teamwork and communication skills
Current Skills
- Applying attacking skills in competitive games
- Using defending skills under pressure
- Working as part of a team in game situations
- Reflecting on performance and tactics
Next Steps
- More complex team tactics and strategies
- Advanced attacking combinations
- Coordinated team defending
- Leadership roles in team games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise fair play and sportsmanship as being more important than winning
- Focus on application of previously learned attacking and defending skills
- Encourage positive team communication and support for all teammates
- Maintain safety through consistent enforcement of no-contact rule
- Celebrate effort, improvement, and character development alongside skill demonstration
- Create inclusive environment where all students can contribute to team success
- Use competition as motivation for skill development rather than just winning
Common Misconceptions
- Competition is only about winning - correct by emphasising skill development and sportsmanship
- Contact is allowed in defending - reinforce positioning and interception without touching
- Only the strongest players matter - highlight how every team member contributes differently
- Rules can be bent if you're losing - maintain consistency and explain why rules keep games fair and safe
- Getting upset about losing is normal - teach emotional regulation and focus on learning from games
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Short game periods with frequent breaks, clear boundaries and rules, immediate positive feedback, movement opportunities between games
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls for easier handling, simplified rules if needed, extra practice time, patient encouragement and celebration of effort
autism spectrum
- Clear, consistent routines for game format, visual schedule of competition rounds, quiet break area available, advance warning of any changes
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, verbal descriptions of game situations, buddy system with sighted partner, audio signals for starts and stops
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game starts and stops, demonstration of all instructions, written rules displayed, sign language support if available
physical disability
- Seated versions of games possible, modified throwing distances, larger targets, adapted equipment as needed, ensure wheelchair accessible playing area
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication within teams, expressing ideas about tactics, describing successful strategies
Maths
Scoring and tallying points, comparing team scores, understanding simple statistics like wins and losses
Science
Understanding how competition affects heart rate and breathing, effects of exercise on the body
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, respecting others and showing sportsmanship
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sight lines to all game areas, mobile to provide immediate support
Observation Focus
Monitor skill application, team dynamics, safety compliance, and competitive spirit
Intervention Points
Step in for safety issues, rule violations, poor sportsmanship, or students struggling with pressure
Demonstration Notes
Show excellent sportsmanship examples, remind of key skills during games, model positive competitive behaviour
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember your accurate passing skills!'
- •'Great defending - stay close but no touching!'
- •'Champions support their teammates!'
- •'What a brilliant example of sportsmanship!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground, minimum 15m x 20m with multiple game areas, clear boundaries marked
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, adequate grip for quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft balls checked for damage and appropriate pressure
- •Hoops inspected for cracks or sharp edges
- •Cones stable and visible, not creating trip hazards
- •Bibs clean and appropriate size for students
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between enthusiastic players during competitive games
- •Contact between players leading to disputes or injury
- •Fatigue affecting concentration and safety
- •Emotional upset from competitive pressure
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear no-contact rule established and consistently enforced
- •Adequate space between game areas to prevent interference
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Teacher positioning for maximum visibility of all games
- •Emphasis on sportsmanship and positive competition
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple games simultaneously
- •Move between games to provide guidance and ensure safety
- •Monitor for signs of fatigue or emotional distress
- •Quick response to any rule violations or disputes
Emergency Procedures
Immediate whistle stop for any safety concern, first aid kit accessible, clear route to medical attention, calm management of any injuries or emotional upset