Lesson 4 - Defending and Jockeying Skills
Strategic Individual to Team Play
•Year 5
•Invasion Games
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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
Pre-distributed to groups for easy identification
Alternative: Coloured strips of fabric, different coloured t-shirts
Stored in bags at each station
Alternative: Size 3 or 4 balls, foam footballs for indoor use
Checked for correct inflation
Alternative: Size 5 or 6 basketballs, playground balls
Right and left-handed sticks available
Alternative: Plastic hockey sticks, modified sticks for smaller hands
Bright colours for visibility
Alternative: Foam balls for safety, tennis balls for beginners
Different colours for boundaries and zones
Alternative: Markers, bean bags
For centre points in warm-up activity
Alternative: Poly spots, chalk circles
Key Vocabulary
Moving sideways to shepherd an attacker away from goal while staying on the balls of your feet
Each defender taking responsibility for marking a specific opponent
Guiding an attacker towards a less dangerous area or towards teammates
Defending deeper, closer to your own goal, allowing attackers into less dangerous areas
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
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