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Lesson 4 - Finding Space to Receive

Foundations of Ball Mastery and Team Play

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Year 3

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Football

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45 min

Big Question

How can we use space cleverly to help our team keep the ball and create scoring opportunities?

Learning Objectives

Recognise and move into space to receive the ball effectively
Send the ball and immediately move into a new space
Use communication to coordinate movement with teammates

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to find and move into space to receive passes
Students will show improved communication skills when coordinating team movements
Students will apply space-finding skills in small-sided game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

1 per group of 5 (6 balls)

Store balls around the perimeter for easy access

Alternative: Tennis balls, size 3 footballs for smaller hands

Coloured Cones

20-30 cones

Use for boundary markers and zone creation

Alternative: Markers, hoops, or chalk lines

Bibs

1 per student (30)

Must be easily removable from waistband

Alternative: Strips of fabric, bandanas, or scarves

Coloured Bibs

4 different colours (8 of each)

For team identification in games

Alternative: Team bands or different coloured tags

Key Vocabulary

Space

An area on the field where there are no opponents nearby, making it safe to receive the ball

Communication

Using your voice to tell teammates where you are going or what you need

Pass and Move

Immediately moving to a new position after passing the ball to a teammate

Receiving

Getting control of the ball when it is passed to you

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic passing and receiving with stationary targets
Understanding of personal space and general space
Simple ball control with feet

Current Skills

Moving into space to receive passes
Communicating location and intentions to teammates
Passing and immediately moving to new positions

Next Steps

Creating space through deceptive movement
Advanced positional play and tactical awareness
Complex passing patterns with multiple players

Milestone Indicators

Consistently finds space away from pressure

Uses clear, effective communication during play

Shows immediate movement after passing

Key Teaching Points

Space is any area where there are no opponents - emphasise this throughout
Communication must be clear and specific - demonstrate good examples
Pass and move immediately - never stand still after passing
Use the whole playing area - don't crowd in one section
Time your runs perfectly - too early or too late won't work
Support teammates by creating options - football is a team game
Practice makes perfect - space-finding improves with repetition

Common Misconceptions

Space is only the big empty areas - actually any gap between opponents works
You only need to find space when you have the ball - movement without ball is equally important
Communication slows down play - actually it speeds up decision-making
The fastest player will always find space - intelligence and timing matter more than speed
Space-finding is too advanced for Year 3 - children understand this concept naturally

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries and expectations, regular movement breaks built into lesson structure

dyspraxia

Larger balls for easier control, simplified movement patterns, extra processing time for instructions

autism spectrum

Clear routine and structure, visual schedule of activities, designated quiet space if overwhelmed by group activities

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of space locations, buddy system for guidance during movement

hearing impairment

Visual signals for instructions, demonstrate all communication examples, use written instruction cards

physical disability

Modified zones closer together, allow wheelchair participation, adapted ball sizes for different grip abilities

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Using precise vocabulary to communicate movement intentions, following and giving clear instructions, speaking and listening skills

Maths

Counting passes in sequence, measuring areas and distances, understanding shapes and spatial relationships

Science

Understanding forces and motion, body systems during exercise, cause and effect relationships

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, communication skills, resilience when activities become challenging, supporting others

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around the perimeter to observe all groups, position centrally during demonstrations for maximum visibility

Observation Focus

Watch for space-finding movement patterns, quality of communication, and safe contact levels during competitive play

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggle with passing sequence, if communication breaks down, or if contact becomes inappropriate

Demonstration Notes

Use students as positive examples whenever possible, demonstrate space-finding by exaggerated movement into empty areas, model clear communication

Verbal Cues

•'Find the empty space!'
•'Call before you move!'
•'Pass and move immediately!'
•'Where can you see space?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m clear area for main activities, plus additional space for multiple small groups

Surface Check

Even, dry surface free from holes, debris, or standing water that could cause slipping

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
•Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Verify bibs/flags are securely attached but easily removable

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students running in different directions
•Slips and falls during quick direction changes
•Contact between students competing for ball or flags

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Adequate spacing between group areas
•Emphasise shoulder-to-shoulder contact only
•Progressive build-up from non-contact to competitive activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to see all groups during skill development
•Move around perimeter during games to monitor contact levels
•Watch for students becoming overly competitive or frustrated

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, ensure other students are supervised safely