Lesson 5 - Advanced Passing & Defence
Individual Skills to Team Tactics
•Year 4
•Tag Rugby
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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
Place around perimeter for easy collection
Alternative: Soft foam balls or tennis balls
Pre-sorted by colour for teams
Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into shorts
Mark boundaries and practice areas
Alternative: Markers or spot markers
For team identification during games
Alternative: Different coloured tags
Key Vocabulary
An attacking formation where players are positioned at different depths to create passing options
Passing the ball to a player further along the line, skipping over intermediate teammates
Spreading defenders across the full width of the playing area to prevent gaps
When a defender moves in front of the ball on their team's side without being behind it
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
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