Lesson 6 - Team Attack and Defence
Ball Skills & Team Play
•Year 2
•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 work together as a team to move the ball forward and score whilst defending our goal?
Learning Objectives
- To play cooperatively with and against others in a team game
- To apply passing skills to move the ball forward collaboratively
- To make tactical decisions about defensive positioning
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate teamwork in attack and defence
- Students will use forward passing to progress towards goals
- Students will position themselves effectively when defending
Equipment & Resources Required
Choose either football or basketball theme for entire lesson
Alternative: Size 3 footballs, junior basketballs, or foam balls
Distributed to team captains for easy identification
Alternative: Coloured bands, sashes, or pinnies
Used for pitch boundaries and goal areas
Alternative: Disc markers, corner flags
Football version uses cone goals, basketball uses hoops in cones
Alternative: Cone goals, target areas marked with cones
Key Vocabulary
A pass that moves the ball towards the opponent's goal
Trying to stop the other team from scoring
Working as a team to move the ball forward and score
Working together with teammates to achieve a common goal
Where you choose to stand or move on the field
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and receiving with hands and feet
- Understanding of team games concepts
- Experience with bounce passes and dribbling skills
Current Skills
- Forward passing in game situations
- Defensive positioning and movement
- Team collaboration and communication
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical awareness in team games
- Leadership roles within teams
- Officiating and rule application
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Forward passing is the key to moving towards goal - emphasise direction
- Defensive positioning requires being between ball and goal - not just following ball
- Teamwork means communication, sharing the ball, and supporting each other
- No-contact rule must be consistently enforced for safety
- Positive encouragement builds confidence in competitive situations
- Skills must be applied in game context to be meaningful
- Every student can contribute to team success regardless of skill level
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking only the strongest players can contribute to team success - address by highlighting different roles
- Believing defensive players should always chase the ball - teach positional defending
- Assuming passing backwards or sideways is always wrong - explain when forward passing isn't possible
- Thinking loudest communication is best - teach clear, helpful communication
- Believing competition means being aggressive - emphasise fair play and respect
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback, specific roles to maintain focus, movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls, simplified passing techniques, extra practice time, reduced complexity of movements, patient coaching
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson activities, defined roles within teams, quiet area available if needed, consistent routines
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, verbal descriptions of player positions, buddy system for navigation, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Visual hand signals for instructions, written rule cards, clear line of sight for demonstrations, vibrating whistle if available
physical disability
- Adapted passing from seated position, modified court size, larger goals, shorter game duration, peer support system
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Team communication, listening to instructions, explaining strategies, using sports vocabulary, reading simple scoreboards
Maths
Counting goals and tournament points, understanding time duration of games, measuring distances for pitch setup, basic data recording
Science
Understanding how heart rate changes during exercise, recognising effects of physical activity on breathing, learning about teamwork
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, managing emotions during competition, respect for others, following rules and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position centrally to observe all game areas, move between pitches during tournament, stay visible to all students throughout
Observation Focus
Monitor forward passing attempts, defensive positioning choices, team cooperation, rule compliance, safety
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with positioning, unsafe play developing, or team conflicts arising
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for skill demonstrations, involve confident students as helpers, repeat key concepts regularly
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass forward towards the goal!'
- •'Defenders, get between ball and goal!'
- •'Great teamwork, keep talking!'
- •'Remember our no-contact rule!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m outdoor area or full sports hall, clear of obstacles, adequate run-off space around boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for ball games, checked for holes or dangerous objects
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Balls inflated to correct pressure - not over-inflated
- •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Bibs are appropriate size and not torn
- •Goals or hoops stable and secure
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Trips and falls during fast movement
- •Ball impact injuries
- •Overexertion during competitive play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear no-contact rule enforced throughout
- •Adequate spacing between game areas
- •Progressive skill building before full games
- •Regular breaks and monitoring of students
- •Clear boundaries and rules explained
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all games simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity areas during transitions
- •Watch for signs of overexertion or distress
- •Ensure rule compliance, especially no-contact
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, contact medical assistance if needed, complete accident report form