Lesson 4 - 1v1 Defending Tactics
Ball Control & Decision-Making
•Year 4
•Football
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How can we use clever positioning and teamwork to overcome numerical advantages and disadvantages in football?
Learning Objectives
- To develop tactical awareness in possession and when defending
- To understand and apply numerical advantage strategies through overlapping and underlapping
- To demonstrate effective 1v1 defending techniques
Key Outcomes
- Students will make informed decisions when in possession of the ball
- Students will demonstrate tactical understanding of numerical advantages
- Students will show competent 1v1 defending skills
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute around area perimeter for quick access
Alternative: Size 3 footballs for better control, foam balls for less confident students
Use to mark boundaries, areas, and goals
Alternative: Markers, bibs, or chalk lines
Ensure clear team identification for game situations
Alternative: Coloured bands or asking teams to tuck shirts in/out
Set up multiple small pitches for 6v4 games
Alternative: Cones placed 2m apart, playground markings
Key Vocabulary
When one team has more players than the other in a particular area
Running around the outside of a teammate who has the ball
Running inside or behind a teammate to create a passing option
Defensive technique of moving backwards while facing the attacker
Moving quickly towards an opponent to reduce their time and space
The player who currently has possession of the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet
- Simple passing and receiving skills
- Understanding of basic football rules
- Experience working in pairs and small groups
Current Skills
- Decision-making under pressure
- 1v1 defending techniques
- Tactical movement patterns
- Numerical advantage and disadvantage strategies
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical formations
- Set piece strategies
- Complex team coordination
- Match analysis and reflection
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Pass and move principle - always look to move after making a pass
- Tactical awareness - use numerical advantages through width and movement
- 1v1 defending - sideways body position, patience, and timing
- Communication - constant talking between teammates to coordinate play
- Decision-making - when to pass, dribble, overlap, or shoot
- Pressure application - how to close down space without overcommitting
- Team coordination - working together when outnumbered
Common Misconceptions
- All attacking players should crowd around the ball (encourage spreading out)
- Defenders should always try to win the ball immediately (teach patience and timing)
- Numerical advantage means easy victory (emphasise need for good tactics)
- Passing is always better than dribbling (teach situational decision-making)
- 1v1 defending requires aggressive tackling (emphasise positioning and patience)
- Communication is not important in football (highlight crucial role of talking)
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with movement breaks, clear and simple instructions, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Slower progression through skills, larger footballs, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet zones available for breaks
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured footballs and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all skills, written/pictorial instruction cards, hand signals for communication
physical disability
- Modified roles such as tactical advisor, adapted equipment, wheelchair-accessible positions
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces in football (impact, momentum), body systems response to exercise, biomechanics of movement
Geography
Spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns, understanding direction and positioning
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges, communication
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during activities, position at corner of game areas for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Tactical decision-making, 1v1 defending technique, team communication and coordination
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with tactical concepts, unsafe play during defending, or team frustration
Demonstration Notes
Use student demonstrations where possible, emphasise key teaching points through exaggerated movements, film good examples for later sharing
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass and move!'
- •'Use the space!'
- •'Stay sideways when defending!'
- •'Talk to your teammates!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m outdoor area or large sports hall with additional space for multiple small games
Surface Check
Even surface free from debris, appropriate for running and quick changes of direction
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Goals securely positioned and appropriate size
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during games and running activities
- •Overexertion during high-intensity activities
- •Frustration from competitive elements
- •Potential injuries from tackling in 1v1 situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate space between activities
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Emphasis on controlled defending rather than aggressive tackling
- •Regular monitoring of student fatigue and hydration needs
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple groups during game application
- •Active monitoring during 1v1 defending practice
- •Watch for students becoming overcompetitive or frustrated
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact school first aider if required