Lesson 6 - Ball Control & Game Play
Ball Mastery & Tactics
•Year 5
•Football
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How can mastering bouncing ball control make me a more effective player in football matches?
Learning Objectives
- To implement and apply skills developed throughout the unit to control bouncing balls effectively
- To demonstrate confident control of bouncing balls while maintaining possession under pressure
- To work collaboratively as a team to discuss performance and implement tactical improvements
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully control bouncing balls with improved technique and confidence
- Students will apply unit skills (turning, running with ball, passing, space creation) in competitive game situations
- Students will demonstrate effective communication and teamwork to analyse and improve performance
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute around activity areas, ensure proper inflation
Alternative: Size 4 footballs preferred, size 3 for smaller students
Assign different colours to teams for easy identification
Alternative: Coloured cones on students if bibs unavailable
Use for pitch boundaries, circle markers, and goal posts
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, or painted lines
Goals should be relatively large to encourage scoring opportunities
Alternative: Cone goals 3m wide, wall targets, or marked areas
For timing activities and game durations
Alternative: Phone timer, clock with second hand
For recording scores, drawing tactics, and team discussions
Alternative: Clipboard and paper, or verbal instructions
Key Vocabulary
The technique of stopping and controlling a ball that is bouncing using a cushioned touch
A soft, controlled contact with the ball that reduces its pace and brings it to rest
The initial contact a player makes with the ball when receiving it
Keeping the ball within playing distance while moving, preventing opponents from taking possession
A competition format where every team plays against every other team once
Understanding when and how to use different skills and positions to benefit the team
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control with feet using stationary balls
- Simple passing and receiving techniques
- Understanding of football rules and basic positioning
- Experience with turning and running with the ball
Current Skills
- Controlling bouncing balls with cushioned touch
- Applying unit skills in competitive game situations
- Team communication and performance analysis
- Game awareness and tactical decision-making
Next Steps
- Advanced ball control under increasing pressure
- Complex tactical formations and strategies
- Leadership skills in team sports
- Performance analysis and coaching others
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Keep eyes on the ball throughout its entire flight path for successful bouncing ball control
- Create space by stepping back as the ball approaches to give time for proper control technique
- Use inside of foot for best control surface and pull foot back on contact to cushion the bounce
- Apply all unit skills (turning, running with ball, passing, maintaining space, step-overs) in competitive game situations
- Focus on team communication and performance analysis to improve collective play
- Maintain safe play with no-contact rules while showing competitive spirit and good sportsmanship
- Connect lesson skills to real football applications to understand relevance beyond PE lessons
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they should kick through bouncing balls instead of cushioning them - correct by demonstrating soft touch technique
- Believing bouncing ball control is only useful for goalkeepers - show field player applications like receiving crosses and passes
- Assuming perfect control is required every time - emphasise improvement and learning from mistakes as part of development
- Thinking individual skill is more important than team play - reinforce that skills should benefit team performance
- Believing they need to use all unit skills in every game situation - teach appropriate skill selection based on context
- Assuming tournament results are most important - emphasise skill development and team improvement over winning
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments with clear transitions, provide regular movement breaks, use clear visual and auditory signals for attention
dyspraxia
- Allow additional practice time for technique development, use larger equipment and targets, provide step-by-step movement breakdowns with extra repetition
autism spectrum
- Provide clear lesson structure with visual schedule, offer quiet reflection spaces, use consistent routines and clear expectations throughout
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide detailed verbal descriptions of technique, implement buddy system for guidance and safety
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations and gestures, provide written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication during explanations
physical disability
- Offer seated or modified bouncing ball control practice, use larger or softer balls, adapt throwing distances and game areas as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Developing speaking and listening skills through team discussions, using descriptive vocabulary for technique explanation, following and giving clear instructions
Maths
Calculating tournament points (3 for win, 2 for draw, 1 for loss), measuring distances for partner practice (8-10m), timing game duration and activity segments
Science
Understanding forces when cushioning ball contact, exploring motion and momentum during bouncing ball control, investigating friction between foot and ball
PSHE
Building resilience through skill practice challenges, developing teamwork and cooperation, showing respect for opponents and teammates, managing emotions during competition
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Rotate between activity areas ensuring clear sightlines to all students, position near higher-risk activities during games
Observation Focus
Monitor bouncing ball control technique development, safe play during competitions, effective team communication
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for unsafe play, provide technique guidance when students struggling, facilitate team discussions if needed
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for bouncing ball control technique, show common mistakes and corrections, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Eyes on the ball all the way!'
- •'Step back to create space!'
- •'Soft touch with inside of foot!'
- •'Pull your foot back to cushion!'
- •'Use your unit skills in the game!'
- •'Great team communication!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m for full lesson, clear of obstacles with defined boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify bibs are clean and have no torn areas that could catch
- •Confirm goals or targets are stable and properly positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Slips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
- •Ball strikes to head or face
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
- •Potential contact during enthusiastic play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with adequate spacing between activities
- •Appropriate spacing maintained between students during all activities
- •Progressive skill building from controlled practice to competitive games
- •Strict no-contact rules enforced throughout lesson
- •Regular hydration breaks and intensity monitoring
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all activity areas
- •Monitor high-activity areas during competitive games
- •Rotate attention between different groups and activities
- •Maintain proximity to groups needing additional support
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional medical support if needed