Lesson 1 - Passing & Following
Lacrosse Skills & Tactics
•Year 4
•Lacrosse
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can following your pass help create better attacking opportunities in lacrosse?
Learning Objectives
- Pass and receive the ball with a lacrosse stick to follow a pass and create more space for teammates
- Work as a team to attack a goal and move to space effectively
- Explain how accurate passes help when attacking based on game experience
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to throw and catch the ball using their lacrosse stick with increasing control
- Students will demonstrate the ability to pass and move into space following their pass
- Students will work cooperatively to create point-scoring opportunities in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all sticks for damage before lesson
Alternative: Tennis rackets, small cricket bats for modified play
Use softer balls for beginners
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety
Different colours for each team
Alternative: Soft balls, quoits
For marking grids and goal areas
Alternative: Markers, bibs laid flat
Clear team identification
Alternative: Coloured bands, team markers
Key Vocabulary
Moving towards the player you have just passed to, creating support and continuity in attack
A pass thrown from below the waist, used for short to medium distances
A pass thrown from above the shoulder, used for longer distances
Catching or deflecting an opponent's pass to regain possession
Passing the ball precisely to your intended target
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills with hands
- Understanding of simple team games
- Beginning awareness of space in games
Current Skills
- Throwing and catching with lacrosse stick
- Following your pass movement pattern
- Basic attacking principles in invasion games
Next Steps
- Advanced passing techniques under pressure
- Defending principles and tactics
- Complex attacking patterns and set plays
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Follow your pass immediately after throwing - this creates continuous support
- Choose the right pass type for the distance - underarm for short, overarm for long
- Aim for your teammate's stick, not their body - accuracy over power
- Only pass to players who are free and ready to receive
- Communication helps teammates know when you're ready to receive
- In games, following your pass keeps the attack moving forward
- Safety first - controlled stick handling and no tackling in games
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking power is more important than accuracy - emphasise controlled, accurate passes
- Forgetting to move after passing - reinforce immediate follow movement
- Using wrong pass type for distance - practice decision making about technique
- Standing still waiting for the ball - encourage constant movement and support
- Only looking at one teammate - teach awareness of all passing options
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Regular position changes, clear boundaries, frequent positive feedback, shorter activity bursts
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, larger equipment, step-by-step verbal instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and expectations, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, consistent language
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, clear verbal descriptions of activities, partner support for movement
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, clear gestures for instructions, written activity cards, buddy system
physical disability
- Seated throwing and catching options, modified distances, alternative equipment like larger balls
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting bean bags in warm-up, calculating differences between teams, measuring distances for passes, understanding angles of throw
Science
Forces in throwing, trajectory and gravity effects on ball flight, energy transfer from stick to ball
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and positioning on field, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when passes don't work, celebrating others' success, following rules and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around groups during skill practice, central position for demonstrations, edge of playing area during games for overview
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip, safe stick handling, following movement after passes, teamwork in games
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe stick use observed, support students struggling with movement patterns, encourage less confident students
Demonstration Notes
Use confident students to help demonstrate, show skills slowly then at normal speed, emphasise key points through repetition
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass and follow!'
- •'Stick to stick!'
- •'Choose your pass type!'
- •'Support your teammate!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Even surface free from holes, debris, or wet patches that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all lacrosse sticks for cracks or sharp edges before use
- •Use soft lacrosse balls appropriate for age group
- •Ensure adequate spacing between activities
- •Store equipment safely when not in use
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Stick contact with other students
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Collisions during game play
- •Trips or falls during movement
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear stick handling rules - no raising above shoulder height
- •Emphasise controlled passing, not maximum power
- •No tackling rule in games - interceptions only
- •Adequate spacing between groups and activities
- •Clear boundaries and safe playing areas
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor stick handling and passing technique
- •Ensure safe play during game situations
- •Be aware of students with different ability levels
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school first aider if needed