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Lesson 2 - Possession and Leadership

Skills to Team Strategy

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Year 5

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Football

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Big Question

How can we combine individual skills with teamwork to keep possession and create scoring opportunities?

Learning Objectives

Combine dribbling and passing skills to maintain team possession effectively
Demonstrate leadership qualities through positive communication and decision-making
Apply tactical awareness to exploit space and create scoring opportunities

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully combine individual ball control with team possession strategies
Students will show leadership through encouraging teammates and making good decisions
Students will demonstrate improved spatial awareness and tempo variation in gameplay

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

1 per student (30)

Distribute around area perimeter for easy collection

Alternative: Size 3 footballs for better control, tennis balls for close control practice

Cones

40-50

Use bright colours for clear area boundaries and lane markers

Alternative: Spot markers, bibs, or chalk lines

Bibs

15 (for distinguishing teams)

Two contrasting colours for clear team identification

Alternative: Coloured t-shirts or team bands

Measuring Tapes

For accurate area setup - can be done before lesson

Alternative: Metre rulers or pre-measured rope

Key Vocabulary

Possession

Keeping control of the ball as a team to prevent the opposition from gaining it

Tempo

The speed at which you dribble or move with the ball

Leadership

Guiding and encouraging your team through positive communication and decision-making

Spatial awareness

Understanding where you are in relation to teammates, opponents, and boundaries

End zone

The target area where teams must move the ball to score points

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dribbling using inside and outside of foot
Simple passing techniques over short distances
Understanding of basic football rules and fair play

Current Skills

Combining dribbling and passing to maintain possession
Varying tempo and direction when dribbling
Demonstrating leadership qualities in team activities

Next Steps

Advanced combination play involving multiple teammates
Complex tactical decision-making in game situations
Mentoring and coaching less experienced players

Milestone Indicators

Maintains ball control whilst scanning for teammates

Communicates effectively during high-pressure situations

Demonstrates consistent good decision-making throughout the lesson

Key Teaching Points

Possession is maintained through constant movement and communication, not individual brilliance
Leadership comes in many forms - encouragement, organisation, decision-making, and helping others improve
Tempo variation in dribbling creates opportunities to exploit space and avoid defenders
Good first touch under pressure sets up all subsequent actions and maintains possession
Tactical awareness means knowing when to take risks and when to keep possession
Team success depends on every player contributing, not just the most skilled individuals
Positive communication builds team confidence and improves performance under pressure

Common Misconceptions

Leadership means being the loudest person - actually means helping the team through positive actions
Possession means keeping the ball as long as possible individually - actually requires quick passing and movement
Dribbling fast is always better - tempo variation and control are more effective
Only attacking players need to communicate - defenders and supporters need to organise too
Football is just about individual skill - team coordination and possession are equally important
You have to be the best player to be a leader - leadership is about attitude and helping others
Winning possession back immediately is always best - sometimes patience creates better opportunities

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Use shorter activity bursts with clear transitions, provide specific roles and responsibilities, offer leadership opportunities for engagement

dyspraxia

Use larger footballs initially, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time for skill development, focus on consistent techniques

autism spectrum

Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedules for lesson progression, create quiet zones for sensory breaks if needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of area layouts, assign sighted buddy for guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations, establish hand signals for common instructions, ensure good positioning for lip reading

physical disability

Adapt to wheelchair football with appropriate ball sizes, modify area sizes for mobility needs, focus on hand/arm skills where appropriate

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills, vocabulary development, giving clear instructions and encouragement

Maths

Calculating possession percentages, measuring distances for tactical spacing, timing activities in seconds

Science

Understanding forces and motion in ball control, exploring balance and momentum in direction changes

Geography

Spatial awareness, understanding of positioning and movement patterns, tactical mapping

PSHE

Leadership qualities, teamwork, resilience when facing challenges, supporting others emotionally

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly between groups during activities, position at corners of areas for maximum visibility during games

Observation Focus

Watch for possession success, leadership behaviours, communication quality, and technical development under pressure

Intervention Points

Step in when safety concerns arise, when negative communication occurs, or when students need tactical guidance

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Use students as positive examples whenever possible, emphasise the thinking behind decisions, not just the techniques

Verbal Cues

•'Head up! Look for your teammates!'
•'Great leadership! Keep encouraging!'
•'Patience! Build your attack!'
•'Brilliant communication!'
•'Show me that tempo change!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 40m x 30m for full class activities, with additional space for multiple game areas

Surface Check

Dry, even grass or artificial surface free from holes, debris, or standing water

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 tears that could cause injury

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during dribbling activities
•Trips and falls when changing direction quickly
•Ball strikes to face or body during passing activities

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activity areas
•Adequate spacing between parallel activities and games
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex
•Emphasis on control over speed throughout activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility across all activity areas
•Monitor high-intensity moments during 4v2 and game activities
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting coordination and safety

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately with whistle signal, assess any injury with appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safely occupied away from incident