Lesson 3 - Refining Passing and Receiving
Possession Play & Team Tactics
•Year 4
•Football
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How can we master passing and moving to keep possession and control the game?
Learning Objectives
- To refine passing and receiving skills in dynamic situations
- To apply passing and moving skills to maintain possession effectively
- To understand tactical decision-making in mini game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate accurate passing technique with consistent ball control
- Students will successfully apply passing and moving skills to outwit defenders
- Students will show understanding of space creation and tactical awareness in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around playing area perimeter
Alternative: Tennis balls for control practice
Used to create gates and mark playing areas
Alternative: Markers, spots, or bibs
To distinguish teams in possession games
Alternative: Different coloured tops
Create end zones for directional games
Alternative: Cones, hoops, or rope
Key Vocabulary
Kicking the ball accurately to a teammate to maintain possession
Controlling the ball when it comes from a teammate's pass
When your team has control of the ball
Areas on the pitch where there are no opponents
The first contact with the ball when receiving a pass
Moving to help a teammate who has the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet
- Static passing with inside of foot
- Understanding of space in games
Current Skills
- Dynamic passing and receiving
- Passing under pressure
- Creating and using space effectively
- Tactical decision-making in possession
Next Steps
- Advanced passing combinations
- Switching play to exploit space
- Defending and pressing tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Non-kicking foot placement beside ball is crucial for accuracy and power
- Inside of foot gives most control for passing in this age group
- Movement after passing creates space and new passing opportunities
- Communication is essential for successful team possession play
- Quick decision-making improves with practice and confidence
- Supporting teammates without the ball is as important as passing skills
- Positive encouragement helps maintain team morale and individual confidence
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they need to kick the ball hard for it to be a good pass - emphasise accuracy over power
- Many believe they should always run with the ball rather than pass - explain when passing is better option
- Some students think they've finished their job after passing - teach importance of continued movement
- Children often focus only on the player with the ball - teach off-ball movement and positioning
- Students may think football is only about individual skills - emphasise team cooperation and communication
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks between static activities
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier control, reduced complexity in multi-step skills, extra practice time, patient encouragement
autism spectrum
- Clear structure and routine, visual schedule of activities, quiet timeout space available, consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, pair with sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Seated passing options, use lighter balls, modify distances, provide support for standing activities
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, expressing ideas clearly, using sports vocabulary, describing strategies
Maths
Counting successful passes, measuring distances between players, calculating angles for passing
Science
Understanding forces when kicking, friction between ball and surface, body systems during exercise
Geography
Directional language, spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns around playing area
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with success and failure, communication skills, leadership development
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around area perimeter to observe all groups, position centrally during instruction
Observation Focus
Watch for correct technique, tactical understanding, and positive social interaction
Intervention Points
["Step in if safety rules are broken", "Provide individual technique coaching as needed", "Facilitate team discussions if conflicts arise", "Adjust challenges based on group success rates"]
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate skills clearly from front-on position, use students to model when appropriate, emphasise key technique points visually
Verbal Cues
- •'Non-kicking foot beside the ball!'
- •'Look up before you pass!'
- •'Move to help your teammate!'
- •'Great decision-making!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m outdoor area or large sports hall
Surface Check
Level, dry surface free from debris and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are correctly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify bibs are clean and fit properly
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Trips and falls when changing direction
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •No sliding tackles or physical contact allowed
- •Progressive skill building reduces injury risk
- •Regular hydration breaks in warm weather
- •Controlled game pace appropriate for age group
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all activities
- •Monitor energy levels and intervene if overexertion
- •Ensure fair play and safety rules are followed
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, apply appropriate first aid, contact school emergency procedures if required