Lesson 5 - Identifying and Exploiting Space
Sending & Receiving Challenges
•Year 1
•Sending and Receiving
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we be clever with where we send the ball to make it hard for our opponent?
Learning Objectives
- Identify tactics to outwit an opponent by spotting space on the playing area
- Identify and exploit the space available on the court
- Work as part of a team to score points by sending objects into empty spaces
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to recognise empty spaces during games
- Students will demonstrate sending skills aimed at specific spaces
- Students will work cooperatively in team activities to score points
Equipment & Resources Required
8 beanbags per team, placed in central collection area
Alternative: Small balls, bean bags made from socks
Arranged in grid formation with varying distances
Alternative: Circles drawn with chalk, small mats, buckets
Placed in hoops to represent 'opponents'
Alternative: Plastic bottles, markers, different coloured objects
Inflated to medium firmness for controlled flight
Alternative: Beach balls, soft volleyballs, large soft balls
Arranged on either side of dividing line for volleyball game
Alternative: Marked floor spaces, carpet squares, sit-spots
Key Vocabulary
An empty area where no opponent is standing
Clever plans to help you win or score points
The person or team you are playing against
The line at the back of your playing area
Standing with knees bent, on your toes, ready to move quickly
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Understanding of taking turns
- Recognition of boundaries and rules
Current Skills
- Tactical awareness of space
- Accurate sending to specific areas
- Cooperative team play
Next Steps
- More complex tactical decisions
- Faster recognition of space
- Advanced net/wall game strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always look before sending - scanning for space is crucial
- Space is anywhere the opponent is not standing or cannot reach easily
- Tactics in games involve making smart choices about where to send objects
- Ready position helps you move quickly to collect and return
- Teamwork means helping others spot good opportunities
- Gentle throws are often more accurate than powerful ones
- Fair play is important even when teams are uneven
Common Misconceptions
- Students think throwing harder is always better - emphasise accuracy over power
- Students may aim directly at opponents thinking it's more 'sporting' - explain tactical advantage
- Some students think they must always throw to the furthest space - explain about choosing the best available space
- Students may think tactics are 'cheating' - explain they are smart, fair strategies
- Some students focus only on their own performance - encourage team awareness and support
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks built in
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, simplified instructions, extra demonstration time
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and expectations, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of spaces, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instructions on cards, hand signals for communication
physical disability
- Seated versions of all activities, modified throwing distances, larger targets
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Key vocabulary development, explaining tactics using precise language
Science
Forces in throwing, trajectory and angles, muscle groups used in movement
Geography
Spatial awareness, understanding of relative positions and directions
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with winning and losing, supporting others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the space to observe all students, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical decision-making, accurate sending to space, cooperative behaviour
Intervention Points
["If students consistently aim directly at opponents", "If team games become unfair or excluding", "If students show signs of frustration"]
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show space identification, model positive language about tactics, demonstrate ready position clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Look first, then throw!'
- •'Where's the empty space?'
- •'Great tactics!'
- •'Help your teammate spot the space!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground area, minimum 15m x 10m clear space
Surface Check
Non-slip surface essential for quick movements and sitting activities
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check beanbags for tears or loose filling
- •Ensure hoops have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Balloons inflated to safe level - not over-inflated
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Slips during quick movements
- •Collisions between pairs during beanbag tennis
- •Frustration in uneven team games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between playing pairs
- •Regular rotation in uneven team games
- •Teacher monitoring of emotional responses
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor uneven team games for fairness
- •Watch for signs of frustration or exclusion
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess any injuries, provide appropriate first aid, comfort distressed students