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Lesson 6 - Football Tournament Skills

Defence to Tournament Play

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Year 5

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Football

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Big Question

How can we combine all our football skills to win matches in a tournament while showing excellent sportsmanship?

Learning Objectives

To apply refined passing, dribbling and shooting skills in competitive tournament matches
To demonstrate tactical understanding of attacking and defending as a team
To officiate matches fairly and manage teams effectively

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully combine technical skills in tournament matches
Students will demonstrate tactical awareness in both attacking and defending phases
Students will show leadership skills through refereeing and team management

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

6-8 balls

One ball per pitch, spare balls at sidelines

Alternative: Size 4 footballs preferred, size 3 acceptable

Cones

40-50 cones

Mark out 3-4 small pitches approximately 25m x 15m each

Alternative: Markers, discs or corner flags

Goals

7 small goals

One goal at each end of every pitch

Alternative: Cone goals 3m wide, or larger goals if available

Bibs

30 bibs in different colours

Each team needs distinct colours, keep some for referees

Alternative: Different coloured shirts or bands

Whistles

3.5 whistles

One whistle per referee on each pitch

Alternative: Hand signals if whistles unavailable

Scorecards

10-15 scorecards

For score keepers to track results and time

Alternative: Clipboard with paper and pen

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competition where teams play multiple matches to determine an overall winner

Round Robin

A tournament format where every team plays every other team once

Officiating

Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and enforce the rules

Tactics

Planned strategies used to gain an advantage over the opposing team

Half Time

A break in the middle of a match when teams can rest and discuss tactics

Possession

When a team has control of the ball

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Students can pass accurately over short and medium distances
Students understand basic attacking and defending principles
Students can dribble with control and basic changes of direction
Students understand the basic rules of football

Current Skills

Applying all football skills in competitive tournament context
Using tactical awareness to create and prevent scoring opportunities
Demonstrating leadership through officiating and team management
Evaluating and adapting tactics during matches

Next Steps

Advanced tactical formations and set pieces
Leadership roles in inter-school competitions
Coaching and mentoring younger students
Advanced officiating and tournament management

Milestone Indicators

Consistent technical execution under pressure

Clear tactical communication with teammates

Fair and confident officiating decisions

Positive leadership during competitive play

Key Teaching Points

Maintain competitive intensity while emphasising fair play and sportsmanship throughout
Support student referees with confidence but allow them to make decisions independently
Use tactical discussion breaks to develop understanding of game strategies and teamwork
Celebrate effort, improvement and good behaviour equally with results and achievements
Ensure all students experience success through varied roles and recognition opportunities
Model positive attitudes towards competition and emphasise learning over winning
Create authentic tournament atmosphere while maintaining educational focus

Common Misconceptions

Thinking that only the winning team has been successful - emphasise that skill development and sportsmanship are equally important measures of success
Believing that referees should favour their own team - reinforce that fair officiating is a crucial life skill and mark of good character
Assuming that complex tactics are always better - help students understand that simple, well-executed strategies are often most effective
Thinking that individual brilliance is more important than teamwork - highlight how the best players make their teammates better
Believing that mistakes during competition are failures - frame errors as learning opportunities and chances to show resilience

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter match durations, clear role definitions, regular position changes, positive behaviour reinforcement system

dyspraxia

Allow extra preparation time, use simplified tactics, provide additional coaching support, focus on effort over technique

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament schedule, maintain consistent routines, offer quiet space for breaks, use visual supports for rules

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal commentary during matches, assign sighted buddy for support, use larger goals if needed

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for referee decisions, provide written tournament format explanation, ensure clear visual demonstrations of tactics

physical disability

Modify playing area size, use appropriate ball size, adjust team numbers if needed, provide alternative officiating roles

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication during tactical discussions, vocabulary development through football terminology, reporting and recording match results

Maths

Tournament scoring system, calculating points totals, understanding league tables and statistics, time management during matches

Science

Understanding cardiovascular system during sustained activity, forces and motion in ball skills, reaction times in competitive situations

PSHE

Leadership development through officiating, cooperation and teamwork in competitive environment, managing emotions during competition, respect and fair play values

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position allowing observation of all pitches, mobile to provide support where needed

Observation Focus

Monitor skill application, tactical understanding, officiating quality, and sportsmanship throughout tournament

Intervention Points

Step in to support struggling referees, address any poor sportsmanship immediately, provide tactical guidance during breaks

Demonstration Notes

Model positive behaviour throughout, demonstrate good referee signals when needed, show examples of tactical discussions during breaks

Verbal Cues

•'Excellent tactical play!'
•'Great refereeing decision!'
•'Wonderful sportsmanship!'
•'Think about your positioning!'
•'Communicate with your teammates!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large hall or outdoor area with space for 3-4 small pitches (minimum 40m x 30m total)

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for running and quick direction changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all goals are stable and appropriate height
•Ensure footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
•Verify cones are visible and not damaged
•Confirm whistles are clean and functioning

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive play
•Overexertion during tournament matches
•Disputes arising from competitive situations
•Ball strikes to face or body

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries between pitches to prevent collisions
•Regular hydration breaks between matches
•Strong emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship
•Teacher supervision across all pitches
•Clear rules about physical contact and challenges

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe multiple pitches simultaneously
•Rotate between pitches to monitor all games
•Maintain awareness of referee decisions and student reactions
•Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal for all matches if incident occurs, first aid available, clear communication with all teams and officials