Lesson 1 - Inside Foot Passing and Receiving
Foundations of Ball Mastery and Team Play
•Year 3
•Football
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How can we use accurate passing and smart positioning to keep possession of the ball as a team?
Learning Objectives
- Pass and receive the ball using the inside of the foot with increasing accuracy and control
- Work collaboratively to maintain possession through accurate passing and movement
- Apply passing techniques in competitive game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate inside foot passing technique with ball striking middle of foot
- Students will receive balls using inside foot to control and stop the ball effectively
- Students will work as a team to maintain possession using passing combinations
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around playing area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 3 footballs preferred, tennis balls for beginners
For boundaries, gates, and target areas
Alternative: Marker spots, bean bags, plastic bottles
Placed in marked target area for main activity
Alternative: Traffic cones, skittles, foam blocks, boxes
For team identification in main game
Alternative: Coloured bands, different coloured tops
Key Vocabulary
Striking the ball with the inside surface of the foot for accuracy
Controlling the ball when it comes to you, using inside foot to stop or cushion
Two cones placed apart that the ball must pass through as a target
Your team having control of the ball through passing and movement
An object or area you aim to hit or reach with the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball familiarity and dribbling skills
- Understanding of personal space and movement
- Simple ball striking with any part of foot
Current Skills
- Inside foot passing technique development
- Ball receiving and control with inside foot
- Basic team possession concepts
Next Steps
- Passing with both feet consistently
- Passing and moving patterns
- Advanced team possession games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Inside foot positioned sideways to ball for maximum accuracy and control
- Contact ball with middle of inside foot surface, not toe or heel area
- Non-kicking foot should be stationary and pointing directly at target
- Strike through middle of ball to keep passes low and controlled
- Receiving requires soft inside foot contact to cushion and control ball
- Head up during passing to see teammates and make good decisions
- Teamwork in possession requires communication and movement to support ball carrier
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: 'Harder kicks are always better' - Correction: 'Accuracy and control are more important than power'
- Misconception: 'Any part of foot works for passing' - Correction: 'Inside foot gives most accuracy and consistency'
- Misconception: 'Good players never make mistakes' - Correction: 'Everyone improves through practice and learning from errors'
- Misconception: 'Only fast players can be good at football' - Correction: 'Smart passing and positioning are more important than speed'
- Misconception: 'Ball should be kicked as hard as possible' - Correction: 'Pass with just enough power for ball to reach target accurately'
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with frequent changes, clear boundaries and expectations, movement breaks between skills, positive reinforcement system
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier contact, reduced complexity in games, extra practice time, step-by-step technique breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear structure with predictable routines, visual schedule showing lesson segments, quiet spaces available if needed, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use bright yellow balls for better visibility, verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, buddy system with sighted partner for games
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for game rules, written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Adapted distances for wheelchair users, seated passing variations, larger balls for easier handling, modified game rules allowing hand passes
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, communication between partners, descriptive language for technique feedback, speaking and listening in reflection
Maths
Counting points in gate challenges, measuring distances between partners, calculating team scores, estimating angles for accurate passing
Science
Understanding forces in ball flight, friction between ball and ground affecting speed, body mechanics in kicking motion
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, supporting others, managing emotions in competitive situations, honest self-assessment
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sight lines to all students, moving between groups during practice
Observation Focus
Technical execution of inside foot passing, cooperation during partner work, safety awareness
Intervention Points
["Step in if passing becomes too powerful and unsafe", "Intervene if team games become too competitive or unfair", "Provide individual support for students struggling with technique"]
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, slow demonstrations emphasising key teaching points, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate, repeat demonstrations if confusion observed
Verbal Cues
- •'Sideways foot, middle contact!'
- •'Aim for your partner's feet!'
- •'Soft passes, not power!'
- •'Support your teammate!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear area, preferably grass or artificial surface
Surface Check
Level surface free from holes, wet patches, or debris that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated - not too hard or too soft
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify targets are stable and won't cause injury if hit
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or face during passing practice
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Trips over equipment or uneven ground
- •Overexertion in warm conditions
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise controlled passing power, never kicking hard at people
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
- •Regular equipment checks and safe storage procedures
- •Monitor students for fatigue and ensure water breaks if needed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all activities simultaneously
- •Move between groups during partner work to provide guidance
- •Monitor games closely for appropriate contact and fair play
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support as needed