🎖️

Lesson 2 - Defending as a Team

Tactical Thinking: Treasure Games

•

Year 2

•

Invasion Games

•

45 min

Big Question

How can we work together as defenders to protect our treasure and stop the attackers from scoring?

Learning Objectives

Develop understanding of simple defending principles in team games
Apply defending strategies as a team to prevent attackers from scoring
Understand the roles and responsibilities of defenders in team sports

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate basic defending movements including tagging and positioning
Students will explain why teamwork is essential in defending
Students will apply simple defending strategies in game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Balls

20-30

Place in central square or scattered around designated area

Alternative: Bean bags, foam balls, or small cones

Cones

Mark out playing area boundaries and central treasure zone

Alternative: Markers, hoops, or rope

Hoops

6-8

Placed at corners as team bases or collection points

Alternative: Cones in circles, chalk circles, or markers

Bibs

15 (half class)

Distinguish defending team from attacking teams

Alternative: Different coloured tops or arm bands

Key Vocabulary

Defending

Trying to stop the other team from scoring by protecting your area or treasure

Attacker

A player trying to score points or take the treasure

Tagging

Touching an opponent gently with your hand to stop them in the game

Team work

Working together with your teammates to achieve a common goal

Strategy

A plan that helps your team succeed

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic running and dodging movements
Understanding of simple game rules
Basic spatial awareness in games

Current Skills

Team defending principles
Tagging technique in games
Positional awareness as defenders

Next Steps

More complex defending strategies
Transition from defence to attack
Advanced positioning and communication

Milestone Indicators

Students consistently work together as defenders

Clear understanding of defending roles

Effective application of tagging technique

Key Teaching Points

Defenders work as a team, not as individuals chasing one attacker
Communication between defenders is essential for effective team defending
Positioning and spreading out is more important than speed when defending
Gentle tagging technique ensures safety and fair play
Understanding both attacking and defending roles improves overall game play
Success in defending prevents the opposition from scoring
Team defending strategies can be applied across many different sports and games

Common Misconceptions

All defenders should chase the player with the treasure - actually defenders should spread out to cover different areas
The fastest defender should do all the chasing - actually positioning and teamwork are more important than individual speed
Defending is less important than attacking - actually good defending prevents opponents from scoring and influences game outcomes
Tagging should be hard to be effective - actually gentle but accurate tagging is safer and just as effective
Defenders can't communicate during games - actually communication is essential for effective team defending

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short activity bursts with regular position changes, clear physical boundaries, frequent positive reinforcement

dyspraxia

Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for tagging technique, buddy support for complex activities

autism spectrum

Clear, consistent routines, visual game rules displayed, quiet reflection space available if needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of positioning, buddy system with sighted partner

hearing impairment

Visual signals for game start/stop, demonstration-heavy instruction, written rule cards available

physical disability

Modified tagging rules (verbal tags), wheelchair-accessible playing area, adapted equipment handling

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting treasure collected, measuring playing areas, understanding spatial positioning and geometry

Science

Understanding forces in tagging, movement and momentum, teamwork as systems working together

Geography

Directional language (forward, backward, sideways), mapping playing area, understanding boundaries

PSHE

Cooperation and teamwork, respect for rules and opponents, resilience when facing challenges

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand at corner of playing area for visibility of all students, move around to supervise different game zones

Observation Focus

Watch for team defending principles, safe tagging technique, and inclusive participation

Intervention Points

Step in if students not following rules, unsafe contact, or exclusive behaviour observed

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Use student volunteers to show defending positions, model gentle tagging technique, highlight good teamwork examples

Verbal Cues

•'Spread out defenders!'
•'Gentle tagging only!'
•'Talk to your teammates!'
•'Work together!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 15m clear playing area, additional space around perimeter for safe movement

Surface Check

Even, non-slip surface free from obstacles, adequate grip for quick direction changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Beanbags checked for secure seams to prevent spillage
•Cones positioned safely away from running areas
•Hoops flat on ground to prevent tripping

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during chasing activities
•Falls when changing direction quickly
•Over-excitement leading to unsafe contact

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established and explained
•Emphasis on gentle tagging technique throughout
•Regular reminders about controlled movement
•Teacher positioned for optimal supervision
•Immediate stop signal established

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all students
•Move around playing area to supervise different groups
•Focus on high-activity areas like treasure zones
•Monitor for safe tagging technique

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop on safety concern, first aid available, clear evacuation route identified