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Lesson 6 - Level 1 Football Tournament

Possession & Team Strategy

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Year 3

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Football

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Big Question

How can we work together as a team to be successful in a football tournament?

Learning Objectives

To apply passing, moving and dribbling skills in competitive game situations
To collaborate effectively as a team to outwit opponents
To demonstrate respect and fair play during competitive matches

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully apply football skills learned throughout the unit in tournament matches
Students will work collaboratively in teams of three to create scoring opportunities
Students will show respect for teammates, opponents and rules during competitive play

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

6-8 (1 per 3v3 game)

Keep spare balls around perimeter for quick replacement

Alternative: Size 3 footballs preferred, tennis balls for ball skills practice

Cones

24 (4 per goal)

Set up mini goals 2m wide using cone pairs

Alternative: Markers, sports cones, or training poles

Coloured Bibs

12-15 (different colours for each team)

Assign consistent colours to teams throughout tournament

Alternative: Team bands, different coloured tops

Score Sheets

1 large display sheet

Display prominently so all students can see fixtures and results

Alternative: Whiteboard, clipboard with results sheet

Stopwatch

For timing matches - 4-5 minutes per game recommended

Alternative: Phone timer, classroom clock with second hand

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competition where teams play multiple matches to determine a winner

Round Robin

A tournament format where every team plays every other team once

Possession

When your team has control of the ball

Outwit

To use skill and clever thinking to beat your opponent

Shooting Opportunity

A good chance to score when you have a clear path to goal

Sportsmanship

Playing fairly and showing respect for teammates and opponents

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic passing with inside of foot
Simple dribbling with close control
Understanding of attacking and defending roles
Experience playing small-sided games

Current Skills

Applying skills under tournament pressure
Team decision-making in game situations
Managing competitive emotions and behaviour
Tournament organisation and management

Next Steps

More complex attacking patterns
Defensive positioning and marking
Advanced tournament formats
Leadership roles in competitive sport

Milestone Indicators

Students maintain skill quality under pressure

Teams work cohesively throughout matches

Students show good sportsmanship consistently

Games flow smoothly with minimal teacher intervention

Key Teaching Points

Tournament format provides authentic context for applying football skills learned throughout unit
Emphasise effort, improvement and sportsmanship over results and winning
Use team discussions between rounds to develop tactical understanding and reflection skills
Model and reinforce positive competitive behaviour and respect for all participants
Ensure every student feels valued and successful regardless of team performance
Build excitement and engagement while maintaining focus on skill development
Create opportunities for students to demonstrate leadership and support roles during tournament

Common Misconceptions

Students may think winning is the only measure of success - emphasise skill development and teamwork
Teams might focus only on individual performance - reinforce importance of team cooperation
Students may believe stronger teams always win - highlight how teamwork and tactics can overcome individual skill differences
Some may think football is only about scoring goals - demonstrate importance of defending and supporting play
Students might assume competition means being unfriendly to opponents - model and teach good sportsmanship throughout

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter match duration if needed, clear boundaries and structure, frequent positive reinforcement and movement breaks

dyspraxia

Larger balls for easier control, simplified rules if needed, extra encouragement and practice time during breaks

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament structure and timings, offer quiet space for breaks, use visual schedule for tournament progression

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of pitch layout, assign sighted teammate for guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual signals for start/stop, provide written tournament rules and fixtures, rely on visual demonstrations

physical disability

Adapt to walking football if needed, allow hand passing for students with foot mobility issues, provide seated coaching roles

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Team communication, explaining tactics to teammates, discussing performance and improvements, tournament vocabulary

Maths

Tournament scoring system, calculating points totals, recording results in tables, understanding win/draw/loss statistics

Science

Understanding energy and movement, effects of exercise on body, teamwork as collaboration, cause and effect in game situations

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions in competitive situations, respect for others, dealing with disappointment and celebrating success

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central location with clear sightlines to all pitches, rotate between games during matches

Observation Focus

Monitor skill application, teamwork effectiveness, sportsmanship and emotional responses to competition

Intervention Points

Step in if students show poor sportsmanship, become overly competitive, or struggle with tournament pressure

Demonstration Notes

Use specific examples from matches to highlight good play, model positive reactions to both success and setbacks

Verbal Cues

•'Pass and move!'
•'Support your teammate!'
•'Great sportsmanship!'
•'Keep communicating!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 30m x 20m with multiple small pitch areas

Surface Check

Flat, even surface free from obstacles, appropriate for running and quick direction changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all footballs are properly inflated
•Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Verify bibs are clean and appropriate size
•Keep spare equipment safely stored at area perimeter

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive games
•Overexertion due to tournament format intensity
•Emotional responses to competitive results
•Ball strikes to face or body during games

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries and adequate space between pitches established
•Regular breaks between matches for rest and reflection
•Emphasis on sportsmanship and emotional regulation throughout
•Teacher positioning for maximum visibility of all games
•Progressive tournament structure builds intensity gradually

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position centrally to observe multiple games simultaneously
•Monitor emotional responses and competitive behaviour
•Watch for fatigue and ensure adequate rest periods
•Intervene quickly in any disputes or unsporting behaviour

Emergency Procedures

Stop all games immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, resume only when safe