Lesson 7 - Jockeying and Tracking
Foundational Skills & Challenges
•Year 3
•Football
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How can we use our body position to delay attackers and give our team time to reorganise?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and demonstrate the jockeying technique to defend against opponents
- To apply defensive positioning skills to slow down attacking play
- To work collaboratively as a defensive unit to deny space and time
Key Outcomes
- Students will use jockeying technique with bent knees and balanced body position
- Students will demonstrate the ability to delay opponents and restrict their movement
- Students will communicate effectively with teammates during defensive play
Equipment & Resources Required
Used for marking channels, areas, and goals throughout lesson
Alternative: Rubber spots, bean bags, or training markers
One ball per pair for main activities, distributed around area perimeter
Alternative: Size 3 footballs for younger students, rugby balls for variation
For distinguishing teams during 3v3 games
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts, bandanas, or wristbands
Key Vocabulary
A defensive technique where you move backwards to stay between the attacker and goal, slowing them down without tackling
Following an opponent's movement to deny them space and time on the ball
Slowing down the attacker's progress to give teammates time to get back in position
The way you position your body when defending - balanced, bent knees, on balls of feet
Moving closer to an opponent to reduce the area they have to operate in
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic movement skills - running, sidestepping, changing direction
- Understanding of attacking and defending roles
- Basic ball control and dribbling skills
Current Skills
- Jockeying technique with bent knees and low body position
- Tracking opponents by moving backwards in their direction
- Defensive positioning to deny space and time
Next Steps
- Advanced tackling techniques
- Team defensive strategies and formations
- Transition from defence to attack
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Jockeying is about patience and positioning, not rushing in to tackle
- Correct body position with bent knees and balanced stance is fundamental
- Defenders should always stay between attacker and goal when possible
- Backwards movement allows defenders to maintain visual contact with attacker
- Team defensive communication helps coordinate jockeying efforts
- Delaying attackers gives teammates time to recover defensive positions
- Reading attacker's intentions helps defenders position more effectively
Common Misconceptions
- Students think defending means always trying to win the ball immediately - emphasise patience and delay
- Belief that moving backwards is defensive weakness - explain it's strategic positioning
- Assumption that only big or strong players can defend well - highlight technique over physicality
- Thinking jockeying is just following the attacker - stress the importance of positioning between attacker and target
- Misconception that defending is less important than attacking - value both equally
- Belief that faster backwards movement is always better - emphasise control and balance over speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear visual boundaries, use frequent positive reinforcement, allow movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Slower movement patterns, extra practice time, simplified multi-step instructions, use physical guidance when needed
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, establish quiet zone for breaks, use consistent language and routines
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured cones and balls, provide verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written activity cards, ensure visual contact when speaking
physical disability
- Adapted positioning activities from seated position, modified movement patterns, use larger/lighter equipment as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for channels and areas, timing activities, counting touches and passes, understanding angles of approach
Science
Forces and motion in backwards movement, friction between feet and ground, gravity affecting balance and stability
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding direction and movement across areas, mapping defensive zones
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, resilience when under pressure, managing emotions during competitive activities, supporting teammates
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around outside of activity areas to maintain visibility of all students, position at corners during game activities
Observation Focus
Watch for correct defensive body position, controlled backwards movement, and safe spacing between students
Intervention Points
["Step in if students attempt to tackle when jockeying should be used", "Correct body position immediately if students are unbalanced or unsafe", "Intervene if game activities become too physical or lose structure"]
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate jockeying technique slowly first, then at game speed. Use student helpers to show correct and incorrect techniques for comparison.
Verbal Cues
- •'Knees bent, stay balanced!'
- •'Backwards and patient!'
- •'Position yourself between attacker and goal!'
- •'No tackling, just delay!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m clear area, ideally outdoor grass surface or indoor sports hall
Surface Check
Check for even surface free from holes, debris, or wet areas that could cause slipping
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Ensure footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Check cones have no cracks or sharp edges that could cause injury
- •Team bands should be appropriate size and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during backwards movement
- •Slips and falls when changing direction quickly
- •Over-physical defending leading to contact
- •Students running into equipment or boundaries
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and communicated before activities
- •Emphasis on controlled movement rather than maximum speed
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •No tackling rule clearly established and enforced
- •Adequate spacing between practice areas
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe maximum number of students during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas like 3v3 games more closely
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
- •Ensure students follow activity rules consistently
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support as needed