Lesson 7 - Defending in Tag Rugby
Tag Rugby Basics
•Year 3
•Tag Rugby
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How can we work together as defenders to stop the attacking team from scoring?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to defend an opponent effectively
- To understand and apply defensive positioning and movement
- To work as a team to prevent the opposition from scoring
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective defensive techniques including low body position and sidesteps
- Students will show understanding of their role as defenders in team situations
- Students will apply defensive strategies in game situations with increasing confidence
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around area perimeter for easy access during activities
Alternative: Touch rugby balls, soft foam balls for younger students
Check all belts have two tags attached and Velcro is working properly
Alternative: Velcro belts, fabric strips attached with clips
Two distinct colours for easy team identification during games
Alternative: Coloured bibs, coloured cones for team identification
Use to mark boundaries, channels, and scoring lines clearly
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, natural boundaries
Key Vocabulary
To try to stop the opposing team from scoring by positioning yourself between them and the goal
Removing an opponent's tag belt to stop their forward progress
Moving sideways with small, quick steps while maintaining balance and facing forward
A narrow corridor or pathway used to contain attacking players
Slowing down the attacker's progress to give teammates time to help defend
Positioning yourself to help defend space that teammates cannot reach
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic movement skills including running and changing direction
- Understanding of personal space and spatial awareness
- Basic tagging technique from previous Tag Rugby lessons
Current Skills
- Defensive body positioning with knees bent and low centre of gravity
- Using small sidesteps to maintain position in front of attacker
- Working as part of a defensive unit to cover space effectively
Next Steps
- Advanced defensive strategies including drift defence
- Reading attacking patterns and intercepting passes
- Coordinated team defence with communication and organisation
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain low defensive position with knees bent at 90 degrees for balance and quick movement
- Use small, quick sidesteps to mirror attacker movement while staying between attacker and goal line
- Communication between defensive teammates is crucial for covering space and organising effectively
- Patience in defence is key - don't rush in for the tag, wait for the right opportunity
- Defensive width prevents attackers from finding gaps and forces them into smaller spaces
- Safe tagging technique protects both players - grab tag firmly, shout 'TAG', return immediately
- Slowing down attackers gives defensive teammates time to provide support and organisation
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they must make the tag immediately rather than slowing the attacker down first
- Believing that all defenders should focus on the player with the ball instead of covering space
- Assuming that standing up tall makes you a better defender when low position provides better balance
- Thinking that being aggressive means being a good defender when patience and positioning are more important
- Misconception that only fast students can be good defenders when technique and positioning matter more
- Believing that defending is just about individual skills rather than team organisation and communication
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter activity segments with frequent changes, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Use larger, easier to handle equipment, provide extra practice time for movement patterns, break down skills into smaller steps
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine and structure, use visual schedule for lesson sections, offer quiet space if needed for regulation
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of all activities, pair with sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapt to seated defending in wheelchair, use larger tag belts that are easier to remove, modify distances and playing area size
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following and giving instructions, descriptive vocabulary for movement, communication skills in team situations
Maths
Counting tags and successful defences, measuring distances for positioning, calculating percentages of successful attempts
Science
Forces and motion during direction changes, reaction times in defensive situations, body systems during exercise
Geography
Directional language (North, South, East, West), spatial awareness and positioning, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and communication, resilience when facing challenges, managing emotions in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corner of area for visibility of all students during activities. Move to centre during instruction giving.
Observation Focus
Watch for defensive body position, communication between teammates, safe tagging technique, and appropriate game intensity.
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with defensive concepts, unsafe tagging occurring, or game becoming too physical.
Demonstration Notes
Exaggerate defensive stance for visibility. Use student volunteers to show good technique. Demonstrate common mistakes followed by corrections.
Verbal Cues
- •'Low position, knees bent!'
- •'Small steps, stay balanced!'
- •'Talk to your partner!'
- •'Stay wide, cover the space!'
- •'Patient defending, don't rush!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m area, clear of obstacles and with firm, dry surface
Surface Check
Ensure playing surface is dry, even and free from hazards. Check for adequate grip for quick direction changes.
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all tag belts have secure velcro and no sharp edges
- •Ensure tags are attached properly and move freely
- •Check rugby balls are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify team bands are clean and elastic is not perished
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during direction changes and defensive movement
- •Slips and falls during quick sidesteps and direction changes
- •Tag removal causing loss of balance
- •Over-aggressive contact during tagging
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between groups during multiple activities
- •Progressive skill building from 1v1 to 5v5
- •Emphasis on controlled, safe tagging technique
- •Regular safety reminders about avoiding contact
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas during game situations
- •Watch for fatigue that might affect safe movement
- •Ensure immediate intervention if unsafe play develops
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs. Assess severity and provide appropriate first aid. Have emergency contact details accessible.