Lesson 5 - Defending Tactics Application
Tactical Thinking: Treasure Games
•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 defenders to protect our treasure and stop attackers from scoring?
Learning Objectives
- To create and understand simple defending tactics
- To apply defending principles as a team during game situations
- To understand the importance of teamwork in defending
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to create and apply simple defending tactics into a game
- Students will understand why defending as a team is more effective than individual defending
- Students will demonstrate collaboration and communication when defending as a unit
Equipment & Resources Required
Place 3 beanbags in each defending team's hoop at start of game
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls, or small soft toys
Space hoops around playing area with adequate room for defending
Alternative: Cones to mark treasure areas, chalk circles
Differentiate defending teams from attacking teams
Alternative: Coloured bands, team markers
Mark boundaries and safety zones if needed
Alternative: Markers or rope
Key Vocabulary
Working to prevent the other team from scoring or taking your treasure
Plans or strategies that teams use to be successful in games
Working together towards the same goal
When a team is out of the game because they lost all their beanbags
Working together and helping each other succeed
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of tagging games
- Knowledge of simple attacking principles
- Experience working in small teams
Current Skills
- Creating defending tactics as a team
- Understanding when and why to defend
- Applying defending principles in game situations
Next Steps
- Combining attack and defence in competitive games
- Advanced tactical awareness in team games
- Leadership roles in team defending
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Defending as a team is more effective than individual defending
- Tactics need to be agreed by the whole team and applied consistently
- Communication between defenders is essential for success
- Different defending tactics work for different situations
- All defenders have important roles, not just the ones who tag
- Learning from unsuccessful tactics is as valuable as celebrating successful ones
- Teamwork skills in defending transfer to many other games and sports
Common Misconceptions
- All defenders should chase the same attacker - explain zone coverage
- The fastest defender should do all the chasing - emphasise role distribution
- Tactics can't change during the game - show tactical adaptation
- Only the person who tags contributes to defending - highlight support roles
- Defending is just about running fast - emphasise positioning and communication
- Simple tactics aren't effective - demonstrate power of basic teamwork
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter tactical discussion periods, clear boundaries and rules, regular movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for tactics, partner support during games
autism spectrum
- Clear routine for role swaps, visual tactical boards, quiet zones for overwhelm breaks
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of tactics, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game starts/stops, written tactical cards, demonstration-heavy teaching
physical disability
- Adapted roles such as tactical advisor, modified movement patterns, wheelchair accessible equipment placement
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills in tactical discussions, listening to team members, explaining strategies
Maths
Counting treasure and teams, spatial positioning concepts, strategic problem-solving
Science
Understanding forces in movement, energy levels during activity, cause and effect in tactical decisions
Geography
Positional language and spatial awareness, understanding of territories and boundaries
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, handling competition and winning/losing
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all teams, central position during discussions and demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical application, team communication, and safe play throughout activities
Intervention Points
Step in if tactics aren't being followed, support teams struggling with communication, manage competitive intensity
Demonstration Notes
Use students as positive examples during games, pause action to highlight good tactical play, demonstrate problem-solving in tactical discussions
Verbal Cues
- •'Defenders, talk to your team!'
- •'Remember your tactics!'
- •'Work together, don't chase alone!'
- •'Gentle tags only!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear space, larger preferred for multiple team areas
Surface Check
Level, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check beanbags are intact with no loose filling
- •Ensure hoops have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify bibs are appropriate size and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during chasing
- •Trips and falls around hoops and equipment
- •Over-excitement leading to rough play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and rules established before play
- •Safe tagging rules emphasised - gentle touches only
- •Adequate spacing between defending team areas
- •Regular breaks to manage excitement levels
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear sight lines to all team areas
- •Monitor tagging intensity throughout games
- •Be ready to pause game if safety concerns arise
Emergency Procedures
STOP signal must be obeyed immediately, assess any incidents calmly, apply first aid if needed, have emergency contacts available