Lesson 2 - Defending as a Team
Tactical Thinking: Treasure Games
•Year 2
•Invasion Games
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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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
Place in central square or scattered around designated area
Alternative: Bean bags, foam balls, or small cones
Mark out playing area boundaries and central treasure zone
Alternative: Markers, hoops, or rope
Placed at corners as team bases or collection points
Alternative: Cones in circles, chalk circles, or markers
Distinguish defending team from attacking teams
Alternative: Different coloured tops or arm bands
Key Vocabulary
Trying to stop the other team from scoring by protecting your area or treasure
A player trying to score points or take the treasure
Touching an opponent gently with your hand to stop them in the game
Working together with your teammates to achieve a common goal
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
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