Lesson 5 - Possession Play Techniques
Possession & Team Strategy
•Year 3
•Football
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How can we work as a team to keep possession of the ball and score points?
Learning Objectives
- Develop accurate passing and moving techniques in football
- Apply passing, moving and dribbling skills to maintain possession in small-sided games
- Understand the roles of attack and defence in invasion games
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved passing accuracy and movement off the ball
- Students will successfully apply passing and dribbling combinations to create space
- Students will work effectively as a team to maintain possession and score points
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around playing area perimeter
Alternative: Size 3 footballs, or foam balls for beginners
For marking boundaries and endzones
Alternative: Markers, spots, or witches hats
5 of each colour for team identification
Alternative: Team bands or different coloured tops
For extension activities and shooting practice
Alternative: Cones can mark goal areas if needed
Key Vocabulary
When your team has control of the ball
Kicking the ball accurately to a teammate
Moving away from defenders to receive the ball
A scoring area at the end of the playing field
When defenders are close to you with the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet
- Simple passing to stationary targets
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Accurate passing to moving teammates
- Movement off the ball to create space
- Combining passing and dribbling under pressure
Next Steps
- Tactical awareness in larger games
- Advanced passing techniques
- Complex attacking patterns
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Pass with the inside of the foot for accuracy and control
- Move immediately after passing to create new passing angles
- Keep your head up when dribbling to see space and teammates
- Communication is vital - call for the ball and encourage teammates
- When under pressure, pass to the teammate with the most space
- Create space by moving away from defenders, not towards them
- Both passing and dribbling are important tools for keeping possession
Common Misconceptions
- Students think dribbling is always better than passing - emphasise that passing can be quicker and safer
- Standing still after passing - stress the importance of 'pass and move'
- All players moving towards the ball - teach the concept of spreading out and creating space
- Only the person with the ball can help - everyone has a role in possession play
- Defenders should always try to win the ball - sometimes applying pressure is more effective
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments with clear structure, regular movement breaks, positive reinforcement for focus
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter balls for easier control, additional practice time, simplified movement patterns initially
autism spectrum
- Clear routines for transitions, visual supports showing game rules, quiet zone available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use bright yellow footballs for better visibility, verbal descriptions of game situations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations of all skills, hand signals for game management, written key instructions on display board
physical disability
- Modified games with slower ball rolls, seated passing variations, shorter distances and larger targets
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting passes in possession games, measuring distances for game areas, calculating scores and points
Science
Understanding forces in kicking, effects of exercise on heart rate and breathing, friction between ball and ground
Geography
Using directional language (left, right, forward, backward), spatial awareness and positioning
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when losing possession, leadership and communication skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups to observe all activities, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for possession skills application, positive teamwork behaviours and safety concerns
Intervention Points
Step in to support struggling groups, manage competitive emotions, ensure fair play
Demonstration Notes
Use students to demonstrate good examples, exaggerate key teaching points for visibility, link skills to game situations
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass and move!'
- •'Find the space!'
- •'Help your teammate!'
- •'Keep possession!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Level playing surface, free from debris, holes or standing water
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Footballs properly inflated to correct pressure
- •Cones with no sharp edges or cracks
- •Goals secured if used for extension activities
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Slips and falls on playing surface
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Overexertion during high intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with adequate space between games
- •Controlled tackling progression from no contact to light contact
- •Regular rest periods and rotation of roles
- •Emphasis on controlled passing rather than powerful kicking
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all games simultaneously
- •Monitor physical contact levels closely
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on injury, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid response, seek additional support if needed