Lesson 5 - Losing a Defender
Skills to Team Mastery
•Year 5
•Tag Rugby
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How can clever movement and deception help us escape from defenders in tag rugby?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to change direction effectively to lose a defender
- To move into space to help team mates
- To apply different movement skills in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective sidestep and direction changes
- Students will create and use space to support attacking play
- Students will apply evasion skills in competitive tag rugby games
Equipment & Resources Required
Check belts are properly fastened before activities
Alternative: Bean bags tucked into waistbands, coloured strips of fabric
Inflate to appropriate pressure for easy handling
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for smaller hands
Various colours for different zones and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, bibs, or natural boundaries
Ensure contrast between teams for visibility
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts, pinnards
Key Vocabulary
Moving skilfully to avoid being caught or tagged by a defender
A quick step to one side to avoid a defender
Speeding up or slowing down to confuse the defender
Pretending to go one way before going the other direction
Moving into position to help team mates
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and changing direction
- Understanding of tag rugby rules
- Simple passing and catching skills
Current Skills
- Effective direction changes to beat defenders
- Creating and using space in attack
- Reading defensive positioning
Next Steps
- Advanced evasion techniques including dummy passes
- Complex attacking patterns with multiple players
- Defensive positioning and communication
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Effective evasion requires both change of direction and change of pace
- Reading the defender's position is crucial for selecting the right technique
- Plant the outside foot firmly for powerful direction changes
- Sell the dummy convincingly with whole body movement
- Support team mates by spreading out and creating space
- Quick restart after being tagged maintains game flow
- Practice techniques at increasing speeds for game application
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking speed alone will beat defenders - technique and timing are equally important
- Believing bigger students can't be good at evasion - technique beats size
- Assuming the same technique works every time - variety and unpredictability are key
- Thinking evasion is only about individual skills - team support creates more opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries and rules, frequent positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Break down movements into smaller steps, extra practice time, simplified patterns
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet reflection time available
visual impairment
- Use verbal cues for direction, brightly coloured equipment, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written rule reminders
physical disability
- Modify movements to capabilities, use walking pace versions, seated refereeing roles
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Understanding forces in movement, body systems during exercise, physics of acceleration
Geography
Spatial awareness, direction and movement, mapping pathways around defenders
Mathematics
Measuring distances and angles, calculating success rates, timing activities
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when techniques don't work, fair play and respect
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around outside of playing areas for clear view of all students
Observation Focus
Watch for correct technique execution, safe play, and student engagement
Intervention Points
Step in when technique needs correction, safety concerns arise, or students need encouragement
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show technique clearly, demonstrate both correct and incorrect examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Plant that foot and push off!'
- •'Sell the dummy - really lean!'
- •'Explode away after the change!'
- •'Read the defender first!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all tag belts are in good condition with secure fastenings
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Rugby balls properly inflated and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during evasive movements
- •Falls due to sudden direction changes
- •Tag belt injuries from rough pulling
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
- •Emphasise controlled movements and proper technique
- •Teach safe tagging technique - gentle removal of tags
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas during game play
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal, assessment of injury, appropriate first aid response, and immediate support