Lesson 5 - Supporting Teammates in Attack
Tag Rugby Basics
•Year 3
•Tag Rugby
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can you help your teammates keep the ball and score tries?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the ability to support a teammate when attacking
- To understand positioning in relation to the ball carrier
- To apply simple attacking tactics in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will move effectively into space to support teammates
- Students will demonstrate understanding of their role as attackers
- Students will show improved decision-making in small-sided games
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute evenly around activity areas
Alternative: Tennis balls or bean bags for initial skills
Pre-sorted by size, ready for quick distribution
Alternative: Coloured strips of material tucked into waistbands
Two different colours for team identification
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or bibs
Mark playing areas and try lines clearly
Alternative: Natural boundaries or markers
Key Vocabulary
Being in a position to help your teammate with the ball
The player who currently has possession of the ball
An illegal pass thrown towards the opponent's try line
Scoring by placing the ball down over the try line with two hands
Spreading out across the playing area to create space
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling skills
- Understanding of forward pass rule
- Experience with tag belts and tagging technique
Current Skills
- Supporting teammates in attack
- Positioning for receiving passes
- Creating space and width in attack
Next Steps
- Advanced attacking patterns
- Defensive positioning and tactics
- Full game understanding
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Support players must position behind or to the side of the ball carrier to receive legal passes
- Using the width of the playing area creates space and makes it harder for defenders to mark everyone
- Quick passing after being tagged (within 3 seconds) keeps the attack flowing
- Communication between teammates helps create better attacking opportunities
- Spreading out after each tag reset creates new gaps and options for the next phase
- Good sportsmanship includes calling 'TAG' clearly and returning tags immediately
- All passes must go backwards or sideways - forward passes result in possession loss
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they can run in front of the ball carrier to receive passes - clarify backward/sideways rule
- Believing that clustering together provides better support - emphasise importance of spreading out
- Thinking individual running is more effective than team passing - highlight benefits of teamwork
- Misunderstanding the 3-second rule - ensure students know they must pass quickly after being tagged
- Confusion about tag replacement - make clear that tags must go back on immediately after each tag
- Believing that stronger players should always carry the ball - emphasise everyone's role in attack
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear and immediate feedback
dyspraxia
- Use larger, lighter equipment initially, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time and support
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedules, establish quiet zones for breaks, use consistent routines and language
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of space and positioning, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Adapt to seated or supported versions, modify distances and equipment size, focus on decision-making and tactics
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting passes and tries, measuring distances and areas, calculating team scores and statistics
Science
Understanding forces in passing and movement, heart rate changes during exercise, teamwork in nature
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, using directional language, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, showing respect for others and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corners of playing areas for maximum visibility, move between groups during skills practice
Observation Focus
Watch for correct support positioning, safe tagging technique, and positive team interactions
Intervention Points
Step in if students showing unsafe play, not following rules, or struggling with concepts
Demonstration Notes
Use students to demonstrate whenever possible, exaggerate key teaching points for visibility, break down complex skills into simple steps
Verbal Cues
- •'Behind or to the side!'
- •'Spread out wide!'
- •'Quick pass after tag!'
- •'Use your teammates!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m clear space for all activities, with additional smaller areas for group work
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, holes, or obstacles that could cause trips or falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rugby balls are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure tag belts are not damaged and velcro fastens securely
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Trips and falls during running activities
- •Injuries from improper tagging technique
- •Overexertion due to high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between groups during parallel activities
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Emphasis on controlled contact through proper tagging technique
- •Regular hydration breaks in warm weather
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students and activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas closely during games
- •Move between groups during skills practice to provide feedback and ensure safety
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
Emergency Procedures
STOP all activity immediately if injury occurs, assess injury appropriately, provide first aid if qualified, seek additional support as needed