🏉

Lesson 5 - Advanced Passing & Defence

Individual Skills to Team Tactics

•

Year 4

•

Tag Rugby

•

Big Question

How can staggered attacking lines and strategic passing create more opportunities while maintaining defensive width?

Learning Objectives

To develop advanced passing skills by missing out players in a line
To understand and apply defensive positioning across the width of the pitch
To demonstrate understanding of the offside rule and its importance

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate strategic passing by missing out players in staggered lines
Students will set up defensively opposite opponents across the pitch width
Students will communicate effectively during game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Rugby Balls

8 for warm-up, 2 for main session

Place around perimeter for easy collection

Alternative: Soft foam balls or tennis balls

Tag Belts

30 sets (1 per student)

Pre-sorted by colour for teams

Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into shorts

Cones

12-16 cones

Mark boundaries and practice areas

Alternative: Markers or spot markers

Coloured Bibs

15 each of two colours

For team identification during games

Alternative: Different coloured tags

Key Vocabulary

Staggered line

An attacking formation where players are positioned at different depths to create passing options

Missing out

Passing the ball to a player further along the line, skipping over intermediate teammates

Defensive width

Spreading defenders across the full width of the playing area to prevent gaps

Offside

When a defender moves in front of the ball on their team's side without being behind it

Try line

The goal line where tries are scored in rugby

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic passing and catching in rugby
Understanding of tag rugby rules
Simple defensive positioning

Current Skills

Strategic passing missing out players
Defensive width and opponent marking
Understanding offside rule

Next Steps

Complex attacking patterns and moves
Advanced defensive strategies
Game leadership and tactical decision making

Milestone Indicators

Consistent accurate passing under pressure

Organised defensive lines maintained

Clear understanding of tactical concepts

Key Teaching Points

Staggered lines create better attacking angles and options
Missing out players confuses defenders and opens space
Defensive width prevents gaps and covers all attacking threats
Offside rule ensures fair play and maintains game structure
Communication is essential for successful team tactics
Practice patterns slowly before adding pressure and speed
Self-assessment helps students understand their own progress

Common Misconceptions

Thinking staggered lines are just for show - explain tactical advantages
Believing missing out players is unfair - show how it creates opportunities
Assuming offside rule is punishment - explain it ensures fair play
Thinking defensive width means standing far apart - emphasise strategic positioning
Believing communication is only for emergencies - show constant tactical value

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments, clear physical boundaries, regular movement breaks

dyspraxia

Extra practice time, simplified passing patterns initially, step-by-step instruction breakdown

autism spectrum

Clear structure and routines, quiet zones available, consistent rules and expectations

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of positioning, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations, hand signals for communication, written instruction cards

physical disability

Modified roles such as tactical advisor, adapted equipment, seated passing activities

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting players in formations, calculating angles for passing, measuring distances for positioning

Science

Forces and motion in passing and running, physics of ball flight and trajectory

Geography

Directional language, spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns across the field

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter to observe all groups, position centrally during demonstrations

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical understanding, communication quality, and safe play

Intervention Points

Step in if rules not being followed, unsafe play observed, or students struggling with concepts

Demonstration Notes

Use students as models frequently, ensure all can see demonstrations clearly, repeat key points multiple times

Verbal Cues

•'Stagger your line!'
•'Miss out the middle player!'
•'Spread across the width!'
•'Get back onside!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 40m x 30m area for full activities, clear of obstacles

Surface Check

Dry, even surface suitable for running with good grip

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check rugby balls are properly inflated and undamaged
•Ensure tag rugby belts are secure and tags easily detachable
•Verify cones are stable and visible

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during running activities
•Inappropriate contact during tagging
•Trips and falls on uneven surfaces

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries and safe spacing established
•Emphasis on controlled contact only
•Regular safety reminders throughout lesson
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all groups
•Monitor contact levels during games
•Watch for fatigue affecting decision making

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safe and supervised