Lesson 2 - Pocket Passing Under Pressure
Individual Skills to Team Tactics
•Year 4
•Tag Rugby
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can I pass accurately from both sides of my body while moving under pressure?
Learning Objectives
- To develop pocket passing technique from both right and left sides
- To improve receiving skills while creating clear targets
- To apply passing and receiving skills under game pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute pocket passes accurately from both sides of their body
- Students will demonstrate effective target creation when receiving
- Students will communicate clearly during competitive situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Foam footballs, size 3 footballs for easier handling
Pre-fitted with tags, checked for secure velcro
Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into waistbands
Mark boundaries, turning points, and target areas
Alternative: Marker spots, plastic bottles
Two distinct colours for team games
Alternative: Different coloured tag belts
Key Vocabulary
Passing the ball from either side of your body (left or right pocket) with accuracy
Creating a clear hand position (W shape) for teammates to aim passes at
When a defender removes your tag belt - must be called out loudly
Rotating hands from fingers up to fingers down when catching high and low balls
Taking a step forward with opposite foot when making a pass for power and accuracy
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling skills from Unit 3
- Understanding of tag rugby safety rules
- Simple passing and catching in static positions
Current Skills
- Pocket passing technique from both sides
- Target creation for receiving
- Passing and receiving under pressure
Next Steps
- Backward passing rules in tag rugby
- Strategic game play and positioning
- Advanced evasion techniques
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Pocket passing requires opposite foot forward for accuracy and power
- Target creation with W-shaped hands gives passers a clear aim point
- Hand rolling technique essential for catching balls at different heights
- Calling 'Tagged!' loudly ensures fair play and game flow
- Communication and encouragement improve team performance
- Practice under pressure prepares players for game situations
- Self-assessment builds awareness of personal improvement needs
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking pocket passing is just normal passing - emphasise the pocket position and opposite foot step
- Believing forward passes are never allowed in rugby - explain this is tag rugby with modified rules for learning
- Assuming rough tagging makes you a better defender - teach gentle but effective tag removal
- Thinking you can't improve non-dominant side passing - show that practice develops both sides equally
- Believing communication isn't important in sport - demonstrate how it improves team performance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries and expectations, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment initially, slower progressions, extra practice time, simplified movement patterns
autism spectrum
- Clear routine explanation, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available, consistent language and instructions
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading
physical disability
- Seated passing variations, modified tag removal, adapted equipment sizes, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, listening carefully, giving clear instructions, descriptive vocabulary
Maths
Counting passes in sequences, measuring distances, angles of passes, scoring and statistics
Science
Forces in passing and catching, trajectory and arc of ball flight, body systems during exercise
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when making mistakes, celebrating others' success, fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around activity areas to observe all students, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for passing technique, safe tagging, spatial awareness, and communication
Intervention Points
Step in for safety issues, technical corrections, or behaviour management
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for passing technique, show common mistakes and corrections
Verbal Cues
- •'Opposite foot forward!'
- •'Create that target!'
- •'Gentle tagging only!'
- •'Call Tagged!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m outdoor space or large sports hall, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rugby balls are properly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure tag belts have secure velcro and no sharp edges
- •Verify cones are stable and visible
- •Check bibs are clean and appropriate size
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during running activities
- •Slips and falls on wet surfaces
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Inappropriate tagging force
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Adequate spacing between groups and activities
- •Demonstration of safe tagging technique
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Teacher positioning for maximum visibility
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to oversee all activity areas
- •Monitor high-energy activities closely
- •Intervene quickly in safety situations
- •Ensure students follow safety instructions
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal understood by all, first aid kit accessible, clear procedures for injuries