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Big Question

How can we apply all our tag rugby skills effectively in competitive games while showing excellent sporting values?

Learning Objectives

  • Apply a range of tag rugby skills effectively in game situations
  • Demonstrate understanding of offside rule and game restarts
  • Show sporting values during competitive play

Key Outcomes

  • Students will successfully apply passing, running and defensive skills in mini tournament games
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of key rules including offside and restarts after scoring
  • Students will display sporting values including honesty, respect and teamwork during competition

Equipment & Resources Required

Rugby Balls
6-8 balls

Distributed around playing areas for quick restarts

Alternative: Size 3 footballs or foam rugby balls

Tag Belts
1 set per student (30 sets)

Check all tags are securely attached before games

Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into waistbands

Dish Cones
22 cones

Different colours for pitch boundaries and warm-up activities

Alternative: Spot markers or bean bags

Coloured Cones
4 different coloured cones

Placed around perimeter for self-assessment activity

Alternative: Coloured hoops or markers

Whistles
2-3 whistles

For student referees and teacher management

Alternative: Hand signals or voice commands

Key Vocabulary

Offside

Being in an illegal position ahead of the ball when your team has possession

Pop pass

A short, quick pass to a teammate running nearby

Overlapping

Running around the outside of your teammate to create an attacking option

Sporting values

Positive behaviours including honesty, respect, determination and teamwork

Tournament

A competition where multiple teams play against each other

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Basic passing techniques (pop pass, long pass)
  • Running with ball control
  • Understanding of tagging for defence
  • Basic game rules and scoring tries

Current Skills

  • Application of skills in competitive game situations
  • Understanding of offside rule and its application
  • Demonstration of sporting values under pressure
  • Game restart procedures after scoring

Next Steps

  • Advanced tactical play and team strategies
  • Leadership roles in organising games
  • Officiating and refereeing skills
  • Transition to full contact rugby (when age appropriate)

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistent application of skills under game pressure
2
Self-regulation of rule adherence
3
Positive influence on team dynamics
4
Ability to adapt tactics during play

Key Teaching Points

  • Emphasise sporting values including honesty about rule infringements throughout all activities
  • Use student referees to deepen understanding and provide leadership opportunities
  • Focus on application of all learned skills under competitive pressure
  • Ensure clear understanding of offside rule through demonstration and practice
  • Celebrate tactical awareness including overlapping and smart passing decisions
  • Maintain high energy and enthusiasm while ensuring safety in competitive games
  • Use assessment activities to support summative judgements for unit evaluation

Common Misconceptions

  • Thinking offside only applies when the opposition has the ball - clarify it applies to your own team's possession
  • Believing tagged players must immediately stop all movement - explain they can still pass the ball
  • Assuming bigger/faster players are automatically better - emphasise tactical awareness and teamwork
  • Thinking sporting values are less important during competitive games - reinforce they become more important
  • Believing forward passes are acceptable if they're short - clarify all forward passes break the rules

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts with regular changes, clear and simple instructions, leadership roles to maintain focus, immediate positive feedback
dyspraxia
  • Slower movement speeds initially, larger equipment, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, visual cues for positioning
autism spectrum
  • Clear visual schedule of lesson progression, defined roles and responsibilities, quiet zone available, predictable routine structure
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured balls and tags, provide verbal descriptions of pitch layout, buddy system for navigation, audio signals for game stops
hearing impairment
  • Clear visual demonstrations of all skills, hand signals for game management, written rule cards, visual cues for game starts and stops
physical disability
  • Modified tagging using touch instead of tag removal, seated or supported versions of activities, adapted pitch size, additional adult support

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following and explaining rules clearly, communication during games, vocabulary development, listening skills during instructions

Maths

Counting scores and tournament points, calculating game time, measuring pitch dimensions, angles of running and passing

Science

Forces in passing and running, friction between feet and surface, energy transfer during exercise, body systems during activity

Geography

Directions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns, understanding of boundaries and territories

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, resilience when losing, celebrating others' achievements

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between tournament pitches to observe all games, central position during warm-up and skills practice

Observation Focus

Monitor skill application, rule adherence, sporting values, safety of play, and engagement levels

Intervention Points

Step in for unsafe play, rule clarification, sporting values reinforcement, or when students need encouragement

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for rule demonstrations, involve students in showing correct techniques, celebrate good examples immediately

Verbal Cues
  • 'Remember onside positioning!'
  • 'Great sporting values!'
  • 'Look for the overlap!'
  • 'Honest play - well done!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 50m x 30m outdoor area or large sports hall, with two separate playing areas

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from holes, debris and trip hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Check all tag belts have secure Velcro and no damaged tags
  • Ensure rugby balls are correctly inflated and have no visible damage
  • Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
  • Test whistles function clearly for student referees

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions during warm-up activities
  • Overly aggressive tagging or contact
  • Trips and falls on uneven surfaces
  • Fatigue-related injuries during tournament
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear boundaries established for all activities
  • Emphasis on controlled tagging technique
  • Regular water breaks during tournament play
  • Adequate spacing between playing areas
  • Progressive skill building before competitive games

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position for maximum visibility of both tournament pitches
  • Monitor intensity levels and provide breaks as needed
  • Watch for overly competitive behaviour
  • Support student referees with decision making
  • Ensure tag belts remain secure throughout activities
Emergency Procedures

Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, alert other staff if serious injury