Lesson 1 - Attacking as a Team
Tactical Thinking: Treasure Games
•Year 2
•Invasion Games
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How can we work together as a team to successfully attack and collect treasure?
Learning Objectives
- Understand the meaning of 'attacking' in team games
- Apply simple attacking principles as part of a team
- Develop decision-making skills when choosing attack strategies
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to explain what attacking means in team games
- Students will work collaboratively to create and apply simple attacking strategies
- Students will demonstrate understanding of when to attack as a team
Equipment & Resources Required
Place large quantity in central area, distribute extras around perimeter for restocking
Alternative: Small balls, tennis balls, or foam shapes
Position one hoop next to each team's starting area
Alternative: Buckets, containers, or marked circles with chalk/tape
Mark out team areas and central collection zone
Alternative: Chalk lines, tape, or mats to mark boundaries
Introduce only in advanced versions of the game
Alternative: Different coloured beanbags, small cones, or special tokens
Key Vocabulary
Trying to score points or collect treasure for your team
A plan that the whole team agrees on and follows together
The specific actions you choose to help your team win
Working together with your teammates to achieve a goal
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and movement skills
- Understanding of taking turns
- Simple rule following in games
Current Skills
- Understanding attacking principles
- Team collaboration and strategy
- Decision-making under pressure
Next Steps
- Defending principles and strategies
- More complex attacking patterns
- Transition between attack and defence
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise collaboration and teamwork over individual competition
- Reinforce the rule of one beanbag at a time consistently throughout
- Connect strategic choices to outcomes during reflection discussions
- Celebrate all teams' efforts and positive examples of attacking principles
- Use the space theme to maintain engagement and excitement
- Model positive communication and sportsmanship throughout the lesson
- Ensure all students understand what attacking means in team game context
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking attacking means being aggressive - clarify it means trying to score for your team
- Believing only the fastest team will win - emphasise strategy and teamwork
- Assuming taking from other teams is 'cheating' - explain it's part of the strategic challenge
- Focusing only on individual performance rather than team success
- Not understanding why rules matter - connect rules to fairness and safety
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive reinforcement, allow for movement breaks, use clear visual and verbal cues for attention
dyspraxia
- Use larger, easier to handle equipment, allow extra time for movement and organisation, provide step-by-step visual instructions, offer adult support for coordination
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of lesson structure, maintain consistent routines and rules, offer quiet space if overstimulated, use social stories to explain teamwork concepts
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured beanbags and hoops, provide verbal descriptions of game area layout, assign sighted buddy for navigation support, use tactile boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for game start/stop, provide written rule cards with pictures, ensure student can see teacher's face for lip-reading, use hand signals for communication
physical disability
- Adapt movement requirements - allow walking instead of running, use larger/easier to grip equipment, position closer to central area, allow wheelchair-accessible pathways
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Listening and following instructions, speaking in team discussions, using descriptive language about strategies
Maths
Counting beanbags collected, comparing team totals, understanding more/less concepts, simple addition of scores
Science
Understanding forces in movement, discussing speed and control, exploring cause and effect in strategy choices
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding areas and boundaries, navigation around playing space
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, taking turns and sharing, celebrating others' success, dealing with disappointment positively
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at edge of playing area where you can see all teams and the central collection zone, move actively during gameplay to support different teams
Observation Focus
Watch for rule compliance, positive team interactions, strategic thinking development, and safe movement patterns
Intervention Points
Step in if teams struggle with turn-taking, if competition becomes too intense, or if students need support with strategic thinking
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements when demonstrating rules, involve student volunteers to show positive examples, highlight good teamwork when you see it happening
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember - one beanbag at a time!'
- •'Great teamwork, I can see you taking turns!'
- •'Think about your strategy - where will you go next?'
- •'Controlled running, space explorers!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear playing area with additional perimeter space for team positions
Surface Check
Flat, non-slip surface free from obstacles, holes, or hazardous materials
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check beanbags are intact with no tears or loose filling
- •Ensure hoops are stable and not cracked
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Confirm adequate quantity of equipment to avoid disputes
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students moving to central area
- •Trips and falls from running too fast
- •Arguments or physical disputes over equipment
- •Overexcitement leading to unsafe behaviour
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear movement rules and emphasise controlled running
- •Ensure adequate spacing between team areas
- •Monitor game intensity and intervene if competition becomes too intense
- •Have clear rules about one item at a time to prevent grabbing
- •Position teacher for maximum visibility of all teams
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe central collection area and all team positions
- •Move actively between teams during gameplay
- •Monitor for fair play and appropriate competition level
- •Watch for students who might be struggling with game rules or team dynamics
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately with clear FREEZE command, assess any incidents calmly, provide appropriate first aid or support, debrief with class if needed to reinforce safety