Lesson 6 - Team Play and Communication
Ball Skills Foundations
•Year 3
•Lacrosse
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How do great teams communicate to create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- Use a variety of passes to build an attack with teammates
- Determine when to run into space to receive the ball effectively
- Suggest constructive ways to improve team performance
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective passing combinations with teammates
- Students will show understanding of space and movement in game situations
- Students will provide supportive feedback to improve team play
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all sticks for damage before distribution
Alternative: Hockey sticks, tennis rackets for modified play
Have extra balls around pitch perimeter for quick retrieval
Alternative: Tennis balls, soft foam balls for beginners
Secure goals and ensure adequate space behind
Alternative: Cones, benches, or marked target areas
Mark pitch boundaries, creases, and team zones
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or bibs for marking
Clear team identification for all players
Alternative: Coloured bands, different coloured shirts
Key Vocabulary
When your team has possession and is trying to score
An area on the pitch where there are no opponents
Talking and signalling to help your teammates
Catching or picking up the ball when the other team has it
The special area around the goal where only the goalkeeper can go
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic stick handling and ball control
- Simple passing techniques - overarm and underarm
- Understanding of basic game rules and boundaries
Current Skills
- Combining passes to build team attacks
- Reading the game to find space and receive passes
- Communicating effectively with teammates during play
Next Steps
- Advanced passing under pressure
- Tactical awareness and team strategies
- Leadership roles in competitive situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Communication is the foundation of effective team play - emphasise this throughout
- Space awareness develops through practice - encourage constant scanning and movement
- Positive feedback builds confidence - model constructive language consistently
- Progressive skill development from simple to complex ensures all students succeed
- Safety through controlled play - no checking, appropriate spacing, quality equipment
- Individual skills serve team goals - connect personal development to team success
- Assessment through observation - watch for application of skills in game contexts
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Louder communication is always better. Correction: Clear, specific communication is more effective than just being loud
- Misconception: The best player should always have the ball. Correction: All team members contribute to attacks through movement and communication
- Misconception: Running fast is always the best option. Correction: Varying pace and reading the game situation is more effective
- Misconception: Criticism helps teammates improve. Correction: Constructive, positive feedback builds confidence and skills
- Misconception: Individual skills don't matter in team sports. Correction: Personal skills enable effective team play
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Use larger, lighter equipment initially, provide extra practice time, break down complex movements into simpler steps
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure with visual schedules, offer quiet zones if overwhelmed, use consistent routines and familiar language
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of field layout, assign sighted buddy for navigation
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and hand gestures, provide written instructions, ensure face-to-face communication for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapt to seated play with modified stick handling, shorter distances for passing, alternative ways to demonstrate space awareness
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Developing vocabulary for sport, clear communication skills, listening and responding appropriately
Maths
Counting passes in sequences, understanding angles and directions for passing, measuring distances for pitch setup
Science
Understanding forces in throwing and catching, observing team dynamics and communication patterns
Geography
Spatial awareness and navigation around pitch, understanding directional language and positioning
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, giving constructive feedback, building confidence through positive communication
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of activities for optimal view of all students, positioning near groups needing most support
Observation Focus
Watch for quality of communication, safe stick handling, positive team interactions, and application of lesson objectives
Intervention Points
Step in when communication breaks down, when safety rules are forgotten, or when teams need tactical guidance
Demonstration Notes
Use students as demonstrators whenever possible, exaggerate communication for clarity, model positive language throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Talk to your teammates!'
- •'Find the space!'
- •'Help your team by calling clearly!'
- •'Show me your power words!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m for multiple pitches, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, level surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all lacrosse sticks for cracks or loose parts before use
- •Ensure balls are appropriate weight and condition
- •Verify goals are stable and securely positioned
- •Check cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick collisions during enthusiastic play
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Slips and falls during direction changes
- •Collisions between players in congested areas
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and crease areas established and explained
- •No stick checking or tackling allowed - interceptions only
- •Adequate spacing between multiple game areas
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Continuous supervision of stick handling techniques
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor crease areas for rule compliance
- •Watch for safe stick handling during competitive play
- •Intervene immediately if dangerous play occurs
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required