Lesson 5 - Small-Sided Tactics
Skills & Tactics Progression
•Year 4
•Handball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we adapt our tactics when our team has more or fewer players than the opposition?
Learning Objectives
- Participate purposefully in small-sided handball games
- Play to the rules consistently and fairly
- Adapt tactics when team composition changes during play
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate tactical awareness in uneven team situations
- Students will apply handball rules consistently in game situations
- Students will communicate effectively with teammates during competitive play
Equipment & Resources Required
One ball per game in progress, extras for quick restarts
Alternative: Foam balls or tennis balls for modified play
Used for goals, boundaries, and collection points
Alternative: Markers or spots for boundaries
For Rob the Nest warm-up activity
Alternative: Bean bags or small balls
Central collection point and team collection areas
Alternative: Marked circles or containers
To distinguish teams in multiple games
Alternative: Team bands or identifying markers
For student referees and game management
Alternative: Voice commands or hand signals
Key Vocabulary
Planned strategies and methods used to gain advantage in a game
A game played with fewer players than the full team, allowing more touches and involvement
The official who enforces rules and makes decisions during the game
A quick attacking move immediately after defending or winning possession
Observing and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic handball techniques (passing, catching, shooting)
- Understanding of 3-second and 3-step rules
- Experience in 3v3 and 4v3 game situations
Current Skills
- Small-sided game application with rule enforcement
- Tactical adaptation to changing team compositions
- Effective communication and listening during gameplay
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical play in larger team formats
- Leadership roles in organising team strategies
- Tournament-style competition with multiple teams
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tactical adaptation is more important than individual skill in team games
- Communication and listening are performance skills that need practice
- Fair play and respect for rules create better games for everyone
- Reflection between games leads to improved performance
- Different team numbers require different tactical approaches
- Leadership can be shown through refereeing and coaching teammates
- Tournament format motivates effort while teaching resilience
Common Misconceptions
- More players always means easier games - actually requires better coordination
- Winning is only about physical skills - tactical awareness is equally important
- Referee decisions are always obvious - many situations require interpretation
- Good players don't need to communicate - communication improves all performance
- Tournament pressure excuses poor sportsmanship - pressure tests character development
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter game periods with regular breaks, clear structure with tournament format, specific roles to maintain focus
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier handling, simplified rules initially, extra practice time for skills, peer support
autism spectrum
- Clear routines for game transitions, visual schedule of tournament progression, quiet zones for breaks
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for rule enforcement, clear hand signals for referee decisions, written game instructions
physical disability
- Seated handball variation, modified goal heights, adapted court sizes, alternative roles like scorekeeper
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, giving and receiving instructions, expressing tactical ideas clearly to teammates
Maths
Scoring systems, time management, statistical analysis of performance, geometric understanding of court positioning
Science
Understanding of physics in ball trajectory, force and motion in throwing, cardiovascular response to exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness on court, positional understanding, mapping movement patterns and tactical formations
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership development, conflict resolution, resilience in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position with view of all courts, move between games to provide feedback and support
Observation Focus
Tactical adaptation, rule application, communication skills, and sportsmanship throughout competitive play
Intervention Points
Step in for rule clarification, tactical guidance during breaks, conflict resolution, and safety concerns
Demonstration Notes
Show tactical positioning clearly, model referee signals and decision-making, demonstrate gracious winning and losing
Verbal Cues
- •'Use your extra player!'
- •'Compact defending!'
- •'Quick transition!'
- •'Communicate your decision!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for multiple courts, clear boundaries between playing areas
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from hazards, suitable for running and quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check handballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify goals are stable and appropriately sized
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during fast-paced games
- •Falls during rapid direction changes
- •Contact despite no-contact rule
Risk Mitigation
- •Clearly marked boundaries to prevent collisions with walls/equipment
- •No-contact rule consistently enforced
- •Adequate space between multiple courts
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to oversee all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor for fatigue during extended tournament play
- •Watch for frustration leading to unsafe play
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, apply appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safely managed