Lesson 1 - Dribbling & Passing Skills
Defence to Tournament Play
•Year 5
•Football
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How can we combine dribbling and passing skills to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To recap and refine dribbling and passing techniques from Year 4
- To combine dribbling and passing skills effectively to maintain possession
- To develop tactical understanding of when, where and why to pass or dribble
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved accuracy in passing and ball control
- Students will show effective decision-making between passing and dribbling
- Students will work collaboratively to maintain possession for sustained periods
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 3 or 4 footballs, tennis balls for control practice
Mark out three horizontal zones and goals
Alternative: Markers, bibs, or chalk lines
Distinguish attackers from defenders clearly
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or bands
Positioned at each end of the pitch
Alternative: Cones 2m apart, wall targets, or marked areas
Key Vocabulary
Having control of the ball as a team
The first contact with the ball when receiving a pass
Moving to help a teammate who has the ball
Areas on the pitch free from opponents
Choosing the best option available (pass, dribble, or shoot)
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing techniques from Year 4
- Fundamental dribbling skills
- Understanding of space and movement
Current Skills
- Combining passing and dribbling in game situations
- Decision-making under pressure
- Tactical awareness in possession games
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical play with positional understanding
- Creating and finishing scoring opportunities
- Defensive transition and pressing
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Decision-making between passing and dribbling is based on available options and game situation
- Possession is maintained through movement, communication, and patience rather than individual skill alone
- First touch should take ball away from pressure towards next available option
- Supporting players must constantly move to create passing angles for ball carrier
- Team success depends on every player fulfilling their role whether they have the ball or not
- Mistakes are learning opportunities - encourage risk-taking in appropriate situations
- Quality of pass selection is more important than pass completion percentage
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they must always pass immediately when receiving the ball - teach them to assess options first
- Believing that dribbling is always selfish - show when it creates better opportunities for the team
- Assuming faster passing is always better - emphasise timing and weight of passes
- Thinking possession means keeping the ball forever - teach about creating scoring opportunities
- Players believing they can't help when they don't have the ball - stress importance of movement and support
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear and simple instructions
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment for easier handling, reduce complexity of decision-making initially, provide extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet zones available if needed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, provide clear verbal descriptions of space and positions, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and demonstrations, provide written instructions on cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Modify to seated or walking pace games, use larger balls for easier handling, adapt zones to accessibility needs
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, giving clear directions to teammates, descriptive language for tactics
Maths
Counting consecutive passes, calculating success rates, understanding angles for optimal passing
Science
Forces and motion in ball movement, effect of body position on accuracy, cardiovascular response to exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of zones and areas, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, resilience when making mistakes, communication and leadership skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all groups, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for decision-making quality, skill execution under pressure, teamwork and communication
Intervention Points
Step in when safety concerns arise, when students need tactical guidance, or when differentiation is needed
Demonstration Notes
Use students as examples whenever possible, demonstrate slowly first then at game speed, emphasise key coaching points visually
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up - what options do you have?'
- •'Pass and move immediately!'
- •'Take your time - make good decisions!'
- •'Use your teammates - they're there to help!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even grass or artificial surface free from holes, debris and standing water
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify goals are stable and safely positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during possession games
- •Slips and falls on wet surfaces
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Overexertion during extended game play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and zones established to control player movement
- •Adequate spacing between different group activities
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex scenarios
- •Regular rest breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Emphasis on controlled defending rather than aggressive tackling
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during multi-activity phases
- •Monitor high-intensity areas like goal zones for increased collision risk
- •Watch for signs of fatigue during extended possession games
Emergency Procedures
Immediate stop signal, assess injury severity, appropriate first aid response, contact school medical support if needed