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Lesson 5 - Losing a Defender

Skills to Team Mastery

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Year 5

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Tag Rugby

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Big Question

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

Tag Rugby Equipment

30 (1 per student)

Check belts are properly fastened before activities

Alternative: Bean bags tucked into waistbands, coloured strips of fabric

Rugby Balls

8 (1 per 4 students for small group work)

Inflate to appropriate pressure for easy handling

Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for smaller hands

Cones

Various colours for different zones and boundaries

Alternative: Markers, bibs, or natural boundaries

Team bibs

15 (half class in one colour)

Ensure contrast between teams for visibility

Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts, pinnards

Key Vocabulary

Evasion

Moving skilfully to avoid being caught or tagged by a defender

Sidestep

A quick step to one side to avoid a defender

Change of pace

Speeding up or slowing down to confuse the defender

Dummy

Pretending to go one way before going the other direction

Support

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

Consistent successful evasion attempts

Effective use of space in game situations

Good decision making under pressure

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