Lesson 5 - Defending and Leadership Skills
Ball Control & Decision-Making
•Year 4
•Football
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How can we work together as a team to keep possession while showing leadership on the pitch?
Learning Objectives
- To develop defensive skills including jockeying, watching the ball, and decisive tackling
- To demonstrate leadership skills whilst maintaining concentration when not directly involved
- To understand team balance and positional play in football
Key Outcomes
- Students will show improved defensive positioning and decision-making
- Students will demonstrate leadership qualities during game situations
- Students will understand the importance of concentration and team roles
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-positioned around area perimeter
Alternative: Bean bags if footballs unavailable
Arranged in hexagon pattern for possession activities
Alternative: Markers or spots
Ready for team identification and defender marking
Alternative: Coloured bands or different coloured tops
Positioned at ends of playing areas
Alternative: Cone goals (2 cones 2 metres apart)
Key Vocabulary
Moving backwards whilst facing an attacker, staying close but not diving in to tackle
Passing the ball to a teammate then immediately moving to a new position
When your team has control of the ball
How defenders position themselves to protect their goal
Guiding and encouraging teammates to perform their best
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet
- Simple passing techniques
- Understanding of basic game rules
Current Skills
- Defensive positioning and jockeying
- Pass and move techniques
- Leadership and communication
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical awareness
- Complex attacking patterns
- Team strategy development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Pass and move is fundamental to keeping possession
- Jockeying means staying patient and watching the ball
- Leadership means encouraging others and making good decisions
- Concentration is needed even when ball is far away
- Team balance means sometimes playing in positions we don't prefer
- Officiating develops decision-making and leadership skills
- Learning from opponents makes us better players
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking defending means always trying to win the ball immediately - teach patience and jockeying
- Believing leadership only means being loud - show how quiet encouragement and good decisions are leadership
- Assuming you only need to concentrate when you have the ball - emphasise off-ball awareness
- Thinking referees just make decisions - explain how officiating develops leadership and decision-making
- Believing passing hard is always better - teach appropriate weight of pass
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear movement boundaries, provide fidget equipment during discussions
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment where possible, extra demonstration time, reduce complexity of movements initially
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet time if needed, use visual schedule for lesson segments
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, pair with sighted buddy
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for referee decisions, demonstrate techniques clearly, use visual cues for game changes
physical disability
- Modify defending to interception only, allow seated or supported positions, adjust pace requirements
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting passes in possession games, measuring distances for pitch setup, angles for passing
Science
Understanding balance and forces in jockeying, heart rate changes during activity
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of movement patterns and directions
PSHE
Leadership development, respect for officials, working as a team, dealing with pressure
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activities to observe all groups, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for application of pass and move, defensive positioning, leadership qualities, and concentration levels
Intervention Points
Step in if defending becomes too physical, if students lose concentration, or if conflicts arise during officiating
Demonstration Notes
Use students as positive examples, demonstrate jockeying technique clearly, show referee signals, model positive communication
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass and move!'
- •'Watch the ball, not the player!'
- •'Great leadership!'
- •'Stay concentrated!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m clear area suitable for two 10x20m pitches
Surface Check
Flat, dry surface free from holes, debris, and obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Goals securely positioned and stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during fast-paced games
- •Trips and falls during direction changes
- •Ball strikes during possession activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and enforced
- •Appropriate spacing between activities
- •Controlled defending - no dangerous tackles
- •Regular hydration breaks in warm weather
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of both game areas
- •Monitor defending intensity in possession games
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required