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Lesson 4 - Defending and Jockeying Skills

Strategic Individual to Team Play

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Year 5

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Invasion Games

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50 min

Big Question

How can we work as a team to defend effectively and slow down attackers?

Learning Objectives

To develop one-on-one defending skills through jockeying techniques
To understand the importance of communication and teamwork in defence
To apply defending strategies across different invasion games

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate effective jockeying technique in one-on-one situations
Students will communicate effectively when defending as a team
Students will apply defending skills across football, basketball, and hockey

Equipment & Resources Required

Bibs

15 (different colours for teams)

Pre-distributed to groups for easy identification

Alternative: Coloured strips of fabric, different coloured t-shirts

Softballs

Stored in bags at each station

Alternative: Size 3 or 4 balls, foam footballs for indoor use

Basketball

Checked for correct inflation

Alternative: Size 5 or 6 basketballs, playground balls

Hockey sticks

Right and left-handed sticks available

Alternative: Plastic hockey sticks, modified sticks for smaller hands

Hockey balls

Bright colours for visibility

Alternative: Foam balls for safety, tennis balls for beginners

Cones

Different colours for boundaries and zones

Alternative: Markers, bean bags

Sun Markers

For centre points in warm-up activity

Alternative: Poly spots, chalk circles

Key Vocabulary

Jockeying

Moving sideways to shepherd an attacker away from goal while staying on the balls of your feet

Man-to-man marking

Each defender taking responsibility for marking a specific opponent

Shepherding

Guiding an attacker towards a less dangerous area or towards teammates

Low press

Defending deeper, closer to your own goal, allowing attackers into less dangerous areas

Zone defence

Defending a specific area rather than marking individual players

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of attacking and defending concepts
Simple ball control and movement skills
Experience working in small groups

Current Skills

One-on-one defending through jockeying
Communication during defensive play
Cross-curricular defending skills

Next Steps

Team defensive formations and pressing
Advanced defending tactics
Leadership in defensive situations

Milestone Indicators

Maintains side-on body position when defending

Consistently communicates with teammates

Successfully slows down attackers in majority of attempts

Key Teaching Points

Jockeying requires side-on body position with weight on balls of feet
Patience in defence is more effective than rushing in for tackles
Communication between defenders is essential for team success
The same defending principles apply across different invasion games
Defending is equally important as attacking in team sports
Shepherding attackers away from goal reduces scoring opportunities
Teamwork in defence means supporting each other and maintaining shape

Common Misconceptions

Defending means always trying to win the ball immediately - actually patience and positioning are key
Good defenders are just naturally fast - actually technique and positioning matter more than speed
Jockeying means moving backwards - actually it's about controlling space and direction
Individual defending skills are enough - actually communication and teamwork are essential
Defending is less important than attacking - actually both phases are equally crucial

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities

dyspraxia

Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, larger equipment, reduced complexity in multi-step activities

autism spectrum

Clear routine and structure, visual timetable of activities, quiet zones available, consistent rules and expectations

visual impairment

Bright coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of demonstrations, tactile guidance for positioning, audio cues for movement

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations, hand signals for communication, written instructions, buddy system for information sharing

physical disability

Modified defending positions (seated/supported), adapted equipment, role as coordinator/coach, alternative movement patterns

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Angles and geometry in body positioning, timing and measuring 30-second intervals, spatial awareness and positioning

Science

Forces and motion in jockeying movements, reaction times and reflexes, balance and centre of gravity

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of zones and territories, directional language

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, communication skills, resilience and perseverance, supporting others

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between stations during practice, central position for demonstrations, close to activities during games

Observation Focus

Jockeying technique (side-on position), communication between players, patience in defending, teamwork

Intervention Points

["When students rush in for tackles instead of jockeying", "If communication breaks down between teammates", "When safety rules are not being followed"]

Demonstration Notes

Use students as positive examples whenever possible, exaggerate key positions for visibility, connect defending to real game situations

Verbal Cues

•'Side-on position!'
•'Be patient, wait for their mistake!'
•'Talk to your teammates!'
•'On your toes, ready to react!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 30m x 20m for three stations plus warm-up space

Surface Check

Even, non-slip surface, free from obstacles. Outdoor: check for holes, wet patches, debris

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Hockey sticks checked for splits or sharp edges
•Balls correctly inflated and in good condition
•Bibs and markers secure and visible

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during backing/jockeying movements
•Trips and falls when moving backwards
•Contact with hockey sticks
•Slips on indoor surfaces

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries between stations
•Start with walking pace, progress gradually
•Emphasise controlled movement
•No physical contact rules clearly established

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all three stations
•Particular attention to hockey station for stick safety
•Monitor energy levels and fatigue

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, send for additional help if needed