Lesson 5 - Supporting Teammates in Attack
Foundations to Tournament Play
•Year 4
•Tag Rugby
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How can we work together as a team to keep possession and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to support a teammate when attacking by moving into effective positions
- To understand and apply simple tactics to help the team maintain possession
- To demonstrate effective communication and decision-making in attacking situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate ability to move into space to support ball carriers
- Students will apply the backwards/sideways passing rule consistently
- Students will use width and depth in attacking formations to create scoring opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-inflate to correct pressure, distribute around activity areas
Alternative: Size 3 rugby balls or foam rugby balls for easier handling
Check all tags are secure and belts are correct size for students
Alternative: Bibs tucked into shorts, or cloth strips as tags
Two contrasting colours for clear team identification
Alternative: Different coloured tags or fabric markers
Use to mark playing areas and try lines clearly
Alternative: Markers, domes, or natural boundaries
Key Vocabulary
Moving into position to help a teammate by being available to receive a pass
An illegal pass that travels towards the try line - ball must go backwards or sideways only
When your team has control of the ball and is attacking
Spreading across the playing area to create space and attacking options
Having players at different distances behind the ball carrier to provide passing options
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic handling and passing skills
- Understanding of tag rugby rules
- Experience of playing in small-sided games
Current Skills
- Supporting teammates through intelligent positioning
- Maintaining possession through teamwork
- Applying tactical awareness in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced attacking patterns and set plays
- Creating overlaps and numerical advantages
- Transition from attack to defence
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Support players must position behind or to the side of the ball carrier for effective passing angles
- Use the full width of the playing area to create space and make defending more difficult
- Communication between teammates is essential for maintaining possession and creating opportunities
- Backwards and sideways passing only - forward passes result in loss of possession
- After being tagged, attacking teams must spread out quickly to reorganise their attack
- Fair tagging using two hands only, with immediate tag return and clear verbal calls
- Teamwork and support are more important than individual brilliance in tag rugby
Common Misconceptions
- Players think they can pass forward like in other sports - emphasise rugby's unique backwards passing rule
- Belief that staying close together helps the team - teach that spreading out creates more options
- Thinking that the fastest player should always have the ball - show how support players are equally important
- Assuming you must run directly towards the try line - demonstrate how moving sideways can create space
- Believing that tagging should be as hard as possible - teach controlled, fair tagging technique
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear structured progressions, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Slower introduction of skills, bigger balls for easier handling, additional practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and expectations, visual supports for rules, quiet spaces available if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and tags, audio signals for boundaries, buddy system for support
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for game management, clear visual boundaries
physical disability
- Modified tagging rules, smaller playing areas, adapted passing distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Understanding forces in passing, balance and movement, heart rate changes during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness, using space effectively, directional language
PSHE
Teamwork, resilience, celebrating others' success, dealing with competition
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move constantly between groups to observe and support. Stand where you can see all activity areas.
Observation Focus
Watch for support positioning, backwards passing accuracy, fair tagging, and positive teamwork
Intervention Points
Step in if students are struggling with support positions, if tagging becomes too aggressive, or if team dynamics become negative
Demonstration Notes
Use students as examples of good practice. Stop activities briefly to highlight excellent support play or tactical awareness.
Verbal Cues
- •'Behind the ball!'
- •'Use the width!'
- •'Support your teammate!'
- •'Backwards only!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Firm, even surface free from holes, stones, or wet patches
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all tag belts are secure but not too tight
- •Ensure tags are properly attached and easily removable
- •Rugby balls correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Tripping over loose or incorrectly fitted tag belts
- •Aggressive tagging leading to falls
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Teach and enforce two-handed tagging only
- •Regular rest periods during intense activities
- •Emphasise controlled movement not maximum speed
- •Immediate stop rule when tagged
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Move between groups to monitor technique and behaviour
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overcompetitive behaviour
- •Monitor tagging technique throughout
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, apply first aid as trained, call for assistance if needed