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Lesson 6 - Communication and Tactics: Capture the Flag

Building Leadership Through Tactical Communication

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Year 4

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Outdoor Adventurous Activities

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Big Question

How can effective communication and tactical thinking help teams succeed in challenging situations?

Learning Objectives

To develop effective communication skills within team environments
To create and apply simple attacking and defending tactics
To understand individual roles and responsibilities within a team structure

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate clear communication strategies during team challenges
Teams will create and implement tactical approaches for both attack and defence
Students will understand their role importance within team success

Equipment & Resources Required

Tag Belts

1 per student (30)

Distributed before activity starts, students wear around waist

Alternative: Coloured bands, velcro strips, or fabric strips

Key Vocabulary

Tactics

Planned strategies used to achieve a specific goal in a game or challenge

Communication

Sharing information, ideas, and instructions clearly with team members

Role

The specific job or responsibility each team member has

Strategy

An overall plan for how the team will approach the challenge

Collaboration

Working together effectively towards a common goal

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of teamwork principles
Experience following simple rules in games
Basic listening and communication skills

Current Skills

Advanced team communication under pressure
Creating and implementing tactical strategies
Understanding role specialisation in teams

Next Steps

Complex multi-team tactical scenarios
Leadership roles in competitive situations
Advanced problem-solving in outdoor challenges

Milestone Indicators

Clear verbal communication during gameplay

Evidence of tactical planning between rounds

Students taking initiative in team roles

Key Teaching Points

Effective communication requires both speaking clearly and listening actively to teammates
Good tactics involve thinking ahead and having backup plans when strategies don't work
Individual roles within teams are important but must work together for collective success
Leadership can be shown through encouragement and tactical thinking, not just giving orders
Reflection and adaptation between rounds leads to improved team performance
Resilience and persistence are crucial when facing tactical challenges
Collaborative decision-making often produces better strategies than individual planning

Common Misconceptions

Thinking that the loudest person is automatically the best team leader - leadership includes listening and encouraging others
Believing that winning means the tactics were good - teams can learn from both success and failure
Assuming that complex tactics are always better - simple, well-executed plans often work best
Focusing only on attacking without considering defensive responsibilities
Thinking that communication means just giving orders rather than sharing information and ideas
Believing that good tactics can't be adapted - flexibility and responsiveness are key tactical skills

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Use shorter game rounds with frequent breaks, provide specific tactical roles to maintain focus, celebrate individual contributions regularly

dyspraxia

Simplify tagging technique, provide extra practice with tag removal/replacement, use larger target zones for easier navigation

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine for game structure, use visual schedule for lesson sections, offer quiet zone for breaks if overwhelmed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured flags and equipment, provide audio cues for zone boundaries, assign sighted buddy for navigation support

hearing impairment

Use clear visual signals for game start/stop, provide written strategy cards, assign communication buddy for team discussions

physical disability

Modify tagging rules for seated players, create alternative roles like strategic advisor, adjust playing area size if needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing vocabulary for tactical communication, discussing strategy using persuasive language, presenting team reflections

Science

Understanding forces in movement, heart rate changes during exercise, coordination and reaction time in competitive situations

PSHE

Leadership skills, collaborative decision-making, resilience when tactics don't work, respect for opponents and teammates

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move continuously around playing area perimeter for optimal observation of all teams and safety monitoring

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical execution, communication quality, leadership emergence, and collaborative problem-solving

Intervention Points

Step in to mediate rule disputes, redirect frustrated teams toward positive communication, ensure inclusive participation

Demonstration Notes

Use enthusiastic tone throughout, model positive team communication, celebrate tactical thinking over winning, ask probing questions to develop tactical understanding

Verbal Cues

•'Excellent tactical communication Team 3!'
•'Remember your strategy - what was your plan?'
•'How can you help your teammates succeed?'
•'Show me your best teamwork and tactics!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 40m outdoor area, clear of obstacles and hazards

Surface Check

Level playing surface, free from holes, debris, or slippery areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Tag belts fitted properly without being too tight
•Tags securely attached but easily removable
•Boundary markers clearly visible and stable
•Flags positioned safely away from hazards

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during fast movement between zones
•Falls when changing direction quickly
•Disputes over tagging and rule interpretations
•Overexertion during extended competitive play

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established and regularly reinforced
•Safe tagging technique demonstrated and monitored
•Regular hydration breaks during extended play
•Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of all teams
•Fair play rules established and consistently enforced

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear sight lines across entire playing area
•Move strategically to observe team interactions and safety
•Monitor students for signs of fatigue or overexertion
•Watch for any developing conflicts between teams

Emergency Procedures

Stop all play immediately for any injury, assess need for first aid, isolate incident area if necessary