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Big Question

How can we demonstrate fair play and sporting values whilst competing in a football tournament?

Learning Objectives

  • To cooperate, communicate and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals
  • To officiate games fairly and demonstrate understanding of rules
  • To play competitive games whilst controlling emotions and demonstrating sporting values

Key Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate understanding and interpretation of rules and accept decisions given
  • Students will show cooperation and communication skills during competitive games
  • Students will exhibit school games values throughout tournament play

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs
20-25 (multiple for warm-up and games)

Distribute around playing areas and keep spares available

Alternative: Size 3 or 4 footballs appropriate for Year 5

Coloured Bibs
30 (3 sets of 10 different colours)

Organised by colour for easy team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies

Cones
40+ various colours

White for boundaries, coloured for end zones and assessment

Alternative: Markers or spots

Goals
7 small goals

Set up multiple pitches for tournament format

Alternative: Cone goals 2m wide

Stopwatch
1

For timing games and warm-up activities

Alternative: Phone timer or whistle for time signals

Digital Cameras
1

For assessment evidence and summative recording

Alternative: Tablet or phone

Key Vocabulary

Self-officiating

Players taking responsibility for making fair decisions about rules during a game

Tournament

A series of games where teams compete against multiple opponents

Sporting values

Positive behaviours including passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork

Final third

The area of the pitch closest to the goal you are attacking

Restart

How play begins again after the ball goes out or play stops

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Basic football skills including passing and dribbling
  • Understanding of simple game rules
  • Experience working in teams

Current Skills

  • Self-officiating and rule interpretation
  • Tournament play and competitive skills
  • Demonstrating sporting values under pressure

Next Steps

  • Advanced tactical awareness in football
  • Leadership roles in sports competitions
  • Coaching and mentoring younger students

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistently makes fair decisions when officiating
2
Shows positive body language throughout competition
3
Helps resolve conflicts constructively

Key Teaching Points

  • Self-officiating requires honesty and integrity - model and praise these qualities consistently
  • Sporting values are more important than winning - celebrate good sportsmanship over results
  • Cooperation includes helping opponents and teammates equally - encourage respect for all
  • Rules understanding means accepting decisions gracefully - practice this throughout
  • Tournament pressure tests character - use this as teachable moments for emotional regulation
  • Community connections extend learning beyond school - provide concrete local opportunities
  • Assessment should capture values demonstration not just skill performance

Common Misconceptions

  • Self-officiating means always deciding in your own favour - teach fairness and honesty
  • Competitive games require aggressive behaviour - emphasise controlled passion and determination
  • Good players don't need to cooperate - show how teamwork enhances individual performance
  • Rules are suggestions when self-officiating - reinforce importance of consistent application
  • Sporting values only matter when winning - demonstrate values especially during losses
  • Tournament results determine success - focus on process and values over outcomes

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Regular breaks between tournament rounds, clear boundaries and expectations, positive reinforcement for sustained attention
dyspraxia
  • Simplified officiating responsibilities, extra practice time with rules, larger balls if needed, peer support for complex movements
autism spectrum
  • Clear tournament structure explained in advance, visual schedule of rounds, quiet spaces available if needed, consistent routines
visual impairment
  • Bright coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of tournament format, buddy system for navigation, detailed verbal feedback on performance
hearing impairment
  • Visual tournament brackets, clear hand signals for officiating, written rule summaries, visual cues for transitions
physical disability
  • Modified rules for wheelchair users, alternative roles such as coaching or score-keeping, adapted equipment as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during team discussions, vocabulary development through sporting terms, speaking and listening during reflection

Maths

Tournament calculations, score recording, time management during rounds, statistical analysis of games won/lost

PSHE

Cooperation and teamwork, emotional regulation during competition, respect for others, honesty and integrity in self-officiating

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position allowing observation of all playing areas, moving between games during tournament to monitor self-officiating

Observation Focus

Quality of self-officiating decisions, demonstration of sporting values under pressure, application of passing and dribbling skills

Intervention Points

Step in only for safety concerns or serious disputes that students cannot resolve independently

Demonstration Notes

Model fair decision-making processes, show examples of sporting values in action, demonstrate how to resolve conflicts calmly and respectfully

Verbal Cues
  • 'Remember our sporting values!'
  • 'What would a fair decision be here?'
  • 'Show me your excellent cooperation!'
  • 'Think about respect and honesty!'
  • 'How can we solve this fairly?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Multiple playing areas minimum 15x10m each, adequate space between pitches for safety

Surface Check

Even surface free from holes or hazards, appropriate for running and quick direction changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Goals securely positioned and age-appropriate size
  • Footballs properly inflated and in good condition
  • Cones placed safely to avoid trip hazards
  • Bibs clean and appropriate size for students

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions between players during competitive games
  • Overexertion during intensive tournament play
  • Conflicts arising from competitive pressure and self-officiating
  • Trip hazards from equipment or poor pitch conditions
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between playing areas
  • Regular breaks between tournament rounds
  • Teacher circulation to monitor competitive intensity
  • Emphasis on sporting values over winning
  • Modified rules to reduce contact and conflict

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position to observe all playing areas simultaneously
  • Move between games to monitor self-officiating quality
  • Watch for signs of overexertion or conflict
  • Ensure emergency access to all playing areas
Emergency Procedures

Stop all games immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students continue safely with alternative activity