Lesson 5 - Space Awareness in Movement
Team Challenges & Skills
•Year 1
•Invasion Games
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How can we outsmart defenders to help our team score goals?
Learning Objectives
- To move into space showing an awareness of defenders
- To develop passing and receiving skills in game situations
- To understand the roles of attackers and defenders
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate spatial awareness when avoiding defenders
- Students will use bounce passes effectively to maintain possession
- Students will understand basic invasion game principles
Equipment & Resources Required
Used for boundaries and starting positions
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk marks
Scattered around teaching area as goals
Alternative: Targets drawn with chalk, cardboard circles, rope circles
Size 4 or smaller, properly inflated
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls, bean bags for passing practice
To identify defenders clearly
Alternative: Different coloured stickers, arm bands, or pinnies
Key Vocabulary
A player whose job is to stop the other team from scoring
A player whose job is to try to score points for their team
An empty area where there are no other players
Throwing the ball so it bounces once before reaching your teammate
When a defender catches or stops the ball meant for an attacker
When your team has control of the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic locomotor movements (walking, running, skipping)
- Simple ball handling and passing skills
- Understanding of personal space
- Basic teamwork concepts
Current Skills
- Spatial awareness in dynamic situations
- Bounce passing under pressure
- Moving into space away from defenders
- Basic invasion game tactics
Next Steps
- More complex passing combinations
- Understanding of defensive positioning
- Advanced spatial awareness games
- Introduction to small-sided games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Spatial awareness is fundamental to all invasion games - emphasise finding and using space throughout
- Communication between teammates is crucial for successful attacking play
- The bounce pass technique requires consistent practice - focus on the push action and fingertip direction
- Understanding defender roles helps students make better tactical decisions
- Stopping movement when holding the ball is a key rule that must be consistently enforced
- Teamwork qualities should be explicitly taught and celebrated throughout the lesson
- Game rules must be clearly established and consistently applied for fair play
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think faster movement always equals better play - emphasise control and quality
- Some students may not understand why they can't run with the ball - clearly explain invasion game principles
- Students might think defenders are 'bad' - explain both roles are important and valuable
- Some may believe individual skill is more important than teamwork - consistently reinforce team concepts
- Students may not understand the purpose of communication - demonstrate how talking helps teams succeed
- Some might think winning is most important - emphasise learning and improvement as primary goals
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Keep activity segments short with frequent changes Provide clear, simple instructions one at a time Use movement breaks between static discussions Offer leadership roles to channel energy positively Give regular positive feedback for appropriate behaviour
dyspraxia
- Break down complex movements into smaller steps Allow extra practice time for skill development Use larger equipment for easier manipulation Provide verbal cues alongside visual demonstrations Focus on effort and improvement rather than absolute performance
autism spectrum
- Establish clear, consistent routines for each activity Provide visual schedule showing lesson structure Offer quiet retreat space if sensory overload occurs Use social stories to explain teamwork concepts Allow processing time before expecting responses
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment for better visibility Provide clear verbal descriptions of spatial setup Use sound cues or bells attached to balls Ensure good lighting and contrast in teaching area Pair with sighted buddy for support
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations for all instructions Employ simple hand signals for game management Provide written instruction cards with key points Ensure face-to-face communication for important instructions Use visual timers instead of audible signals
physical disability
- Adapt throwing technique for seated participants Use larger, softer balls for easier handling Reduce distances between targets and starting positions Allow rolling instead of bouncing for some students Provide alternative scoring methods if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the teaching area to observe all students, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for spatial awareness development, passing accuracy, communication between teammates, and adherence to game rules
Intervention Points
["Step in if students struggle with spatial concepts", "Provide additional support for bounce passing technique", "Intervene if game situations become too competitive or safety is compromised", "Support students who may be less confident in team situations"]
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for all demonstrations. Include students in demonstrations where appropriate to model good technique and behaviour
Verbal Cues
- •'Find the spaces!' for spatial awareness
- •'Bounce and catch!' for passing technique
- •'Talk to your team!' for communication
- •'Look for the defenders!' for tactical awareness
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m teaching area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Ensure playing surface is dry, level, and free from debris or hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all balls are properly inflated and free from damage
- •Ensure hoops have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify cones are stable and visible
- •Check team bands/bibs are secure and comfortable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement activities
- •Slips and falls when changing direction quickly
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Overexertion during continuous activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and reinforced throughout lesson
- •No-contact rule strictly enforced in all activities
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •Regular water breaks and breathing space opportunities
- •Appropriate warm-up and cool-down procedures
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas during game situations
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
- •Ensure safe equipment handling at all times
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, and follow school emergency protocols