Lesson 3 - Passing and Possession
Foundations of Ball Mastery and Team Play
•Year 3
•Football
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How can we use passing to keep possession and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To use short passes accurately to maintain possession
- To work as a team to move towards goal
- To make decisions following the 'shoot, pass, dribble' hierarchy
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate accurate short passing in game situations
- Students will show understanding of team movement towards goal
- Students will apply the decision-making hierarchy consistently
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute balls to group leaders at start
Alternative: Size 3 footballs, tennis balls for control practice
12 for boundaries, 8 for end zones
Alternative: Markers, spots, chalk lines
Ready to distribute for team games
Alternative: Different coloured tops, bands
Key Vocabulary
When your team has control of the ball
To get a touch on the ball when the opposition is passing
The scoring area where you must control the ball to score
A pass over a distance of 5-10 yards using the inside of the foot
The order of priorities: 1st shoot, 2nd pass, 3rd dribble
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with inside of foot
- Simple passing to stationary targets
- Understanding of team games structure
Current Skills
- Short passing under pressure
- Team possession play
- Decision-making hierarchy
Next Steps
- Passing over longer distances
- Creating space through movement
- Advanced tactical awareness
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise accuracy over power in short passing
- Constantly reinforce the shoot-pass-dribble hierarchy
- Encourage scanning and awareness before receiving ball
- Promote positive communication during team activities
- Focus on maintaining possession through patient build-up play
- Develop quick decision-making under pressure
- Always ensure someone is positioned in attacking areas
Common Misconceptions
- Believing that dribbling is always the best option when under pressure
- Thinking that possession means keeping the ball at all costs without purpose
- Assuming that harder passes are better than accurate gentle passes
- Misunderstanding that defending players cannot enter any end zone
- Thinking that intercepting means taking full possession rather than just touching the ball
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with clear transitions, regular movement breaks, clear and simple instructions
dyspraxia
- Larger balls and targets, reduced complexity of movements, extra practice time for skill development
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and structure, visual schedules, quiet zones available for breaks
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for key concepts
physical disability
- Adapted games with seated positions, modified equipment sizes, adjusted playing areas
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, following instructions, explaining strategies
Maths
Counting passes, measuring distances for game areas, angles of passing
Science
Forces applied to ball during passing, body systems during exercise
Computing
Following algorithms (decision-making hierarchy), logical thinking
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions, mapping movement patterns on pitch
PSHE
Teamwork, making decisions under pressure, managing emotions in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activity areas to observe all groups, position at corners for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for passing accuracy, decision-making speed, and team cooperation
Intervention Points
Step in when activities become too easy/difficult, safety concerns arise, or students struggle with concepts
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate from multiple angles, involve students in demonstrations where possible
Verbal Cues
- •'Quick feet, quick thoughts!'
- •'Look before you receive!'
- •'Shoot first, then pass!'
- •'Use your voice to help teammates!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m clear space for multiple activity areas
Surface Check
Even grass or artificial surface, free from holes or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Bibs clean and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during games
- •Trips and falls on uneven surfaces
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Overexertion in warm weather
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between playing areas
- •Progressive warm-up to prepare muscles
- •Regular water breaks in warm conditions
- •Teaching safe passing heights (below shoulder)
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups simultaneously
- •Monitor intensity levels and provide rest as needed
- •Watch for unsafe play and intervene immediately
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid or call for medical assistance