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Lesson 6 - Tag Rugby Tournament

Team Play & Territory

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Year 3

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Tag Rugby

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Big Question

How can we apply all our tag rugby skills in competitive tournament play while showing excellent sportsmanship?

Learning Objectives

To apply tag rugby skills learned throughout the unit in competitive match situations
To understand and follow complex rules including offside during competitive play
To demonstrate leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship in tournament format

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully apply passing, moving and tagging skills in competitive matches
Students will demonstrate understanding of offside rule and consequences of rule breaks
Students will show leadership skills through peer refereeing and positive team collaboration

Equipment & Resources Required

Tag Belts

1 per student (30 sets)

Check all tags are securely attached before play begins

Alternative: Velcro strips, fabric strips, or bandanas as tags

Rugby Balls

6-8 balls

Ensure balls are appropriately inflated for safe handling

Alternative: American footballs or soft foam rugby balls

Dish Cones

20-30 cones

Use to mark playing areas, try lines and zone boundaries

Alternative: Spot markers, rope boundaries, or chalk lines

Bibs

15 of each colour (2 colours)

For team identification during matches

Alternative: Different coloured tags or armbands

Whistles

3.5 whistles

For teacher and upper KS2 student referees

Alternative: Voice commands or hand signals

Clipboards

4-6 clipboards

For recording match results and student referee practice

Alternative: Simple paper score sheets

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competition involving several matches between different teams

Offside

When an attacking player is ahead of the ball carrier, which is against the rules

Free pass

An uncontested pass awarded after a tag is made

Sportsmanship

Playing fairly, following rules and showing respect for opponents

Referee

The person who makes sure the rules are followed during a game

Tactics

Plans and strategies used by a team to try to win a game

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic tag rugby skills from previous unit lessons
3v1 directional games experience
Understanding of basic passing backwards rule
Experience with tagging for possession rather than elimination

Current Skills

Application of skills in competitive tournament format
Understanding and applying offside rule
Leadership through peer refereeing
Advanced team tactics and strategy

Next Steps

Introduction to more complex invasion games
Development of advanced tactical understanding
Leadership roles in organising sports events
Application of skills in larger team formats

Milestone Indicators

Consistent application of backwards passing under pressure

Successful implementation of offside rule understanding

Effective team collaboration in competitive situations

Positive leadership and sportsmanship throughout tournament

Key Teaching Points

Tournament format allows application of all unit skills in competitive context
Offside rule understanding is crucial for fair and successful gameplay
Upper KS2 referee roles provide significant leadership development opportunities
Sportsmanship and character development are as important as skill demonstration
Communication and teamwork become critical under competitive pressure
Rules must be consistently applied throughout to maintain fairness and safety
Celebration of effort and improvement alongside competitive results builds positive sporting attitudes

Common Misconceptions

That tournament means individual performance is more important than teamwork
That winning is the only measure of success in competitive situations
That rules can be relaxed during exciting competitive moments
That referee decisions can be argued with or ignored
That competitive pressure excuses poor sportsmanship or behaviour
That only Upper KS2 students can show leadership during tournament play

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter match times with more frequent breaks, clear role definition, regular positive feedback and encouragement

dyspraxia

Larger equipment where possible, extra practice time, simplified movement patterns, partner support during matches

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament structure visually, allow quiet zones for breaks, maintain predictable routine within matches

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured tags and balls, provide verbal descriptions of tournament progress, assign sighted buddy for navigation

hearing impairment

Use visual signals alongside whistles, provide written tournament rules, ensure face-to-face communication with referees

physical disability

Modify tagging rules to gentle touch, allow seated play where appropriate, adjust playing area size for accessibility

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication during matches, explaining rules, discussing strategies, reflecting on experiences

Maths

Scorekeeping, counting tries and tags, tournament brackets, time management during matches

Science

Heart rate changes during exercise, effects of competition on the body, teamwork like systems in nature

Geography

Spatial awareness, directions for gameplay, mapping tournament progress and results

PSHE

Leadership through refereeing, resilience in competition, managing emotions in winning/losing, teamwork and cooperation

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between tournament courts for maximum visibility, support referees while allowing independence

Observation Focus

Watch for skill application, rule understanding, sportsmanship and leadership development

Intervention Points

Step in for safety concerns, support struggling referees, address poor sportsmanship immediately

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Use positive examples during matches to reinforce good practice, show celebration of effort over results

Verbal Cues

•'Excellent passing combination!'
•'Remember to stay behind the ball carrier!'
•'Great sportsmanship from both teams!'
•'Referees, make your signals clear and confident!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Multiple playing areas minimum 15m x 10m each, clear boundaries between courts

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, adequate space between playing areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all tag belts are properly fitted and secure
•Ensure rugby balls are appropriately inflated
•Verify whistle functionality for referees
•Confirm cones have no sharp edges or damage

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive play
•Overexertion during extended tournament format
•Aggressive tagging or poor sportsmanship
•Confusion between playing areas during matches

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established between all playing areas
•Adequate rest periods between matches
•Emphasis on controlled, gentle tagging throughout
•Upper KS2 referees trained to stop dangerous play
•Teacher supervision of all tournament matches

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility of all tournament courts
•Monitor referee performance and support decisions
•Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
•Ensure positive sportsmanship maintained throughout

Emergency Procedures

Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, ensure other students continue safely