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Lesson 5 - Defending Tactics and Officiating

Team Coordination

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Year 5

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Tag Rugby

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1h 8min

Big Question

How can defenders work as a coordinated team to prevent attackers from scoring while understanding their individual roles and responsibilities?

Learning Objectives

To create and apply effective defending tactics and formations in tag rugby
To develop understanding of defending principles including the offside rule
To practice officiating skills with confidence and fairness

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate coordinated defensive strategies with clear roles
Students will apply the offside rule correctly during gameplay
Students will officiate games fairly while implementing complex rules

Equipment & Resources Required

Tag Rugby Equipment

1 per student (30)

Pre-distributed around playing area, two tags per belt

Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into shorts

Rugby Balls

6 balls

2 balls per playing area, extras as backup

Alternative: Foam footballs for younger/less confident students

Cones

20 small cones

Mark try lines, sidelines, and defensive zones

Alternative: Rope or chalk lines for boundaries

Coloured Bibs

15 of two different colours

Clearly distinguish teams during gameplay

Alternative: Team bands or different coloured tags

Whistles

3 whistles

One per playing area for student referees

Alternative: Hand signals only for quieter games

Key Vocabulary

Offside

When a defending player is ahead of the ball carrier or not behind the defensive line

Defensive Line

An imaginary line across the field where all defenders should position themselves

Step Back

Moving backwards to reform the defensive line after a tag is made

Formation

The organised arrangement of defending players across the field

Try Line

The line that attacking players must cross to score a try

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic tag rugby rules and gameplay
Understanding of attacking principles
Basic defensive awareness and positioning

Current Skills

Coordinated defensive line formation
Application of offside rule
Tactical decision-making in defence
Basic officiating skills

Next Steps

Advanced tactical awareness in complex game situations
Leadership in organising team strategies
Confident officiating in competitive matches

Milestone Indicators

Defenders step back immediately after tag is made

Defensive line reforms within 5 seconds

Offside rule applied correctly 80% of the time

Defensive tactics prevent tries in 60% of attacks

Key Teaching Points

Defenders must step back together as a coordinated unit after every tag
The offside rule requires all defenders to stay behind the defensive line
Effective defensive formations require equal spacing and clear communication
Tactical discussions should focus on specific improvements rather than blame
Referees must apply rules consistently and explain decisions clearly
Team defensive success depends on every player understanding their role
Safe tagging technique protects all players and maintains game flow

Common Misconceptions

Thinking offside only applies to attacking players - clarify that defenders can also be offside
Believing faster individual movement is better than coordinated team movement
Assuming defensive tactics never need changing during a game
Thinking referees should make popular decisions rather than correct ones
Believing stepping back means giving up space permanently
Assuming defensive formations work the same against all attacking styles

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and rules, offer leadership roles to maintain engagement

dyspraxia

Simplify movement patterns, provide extra practice time for coordination skills, use larger target areas for positioning

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine structure, use visual schedule for lesson phases, create quiet zones for breaks when needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured cones for boundary marking, provide verbal descriptions of field layout, assign sighted partner for spatial guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for whistle calls, demonstrate all instructions clearly, provide written rule summaries

physical disability

Adapt tagging to touch rugby, modify movement requirements, provide wheelchair-accessible playing areas

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Measuring 3-metre distances for offside rule, counting to 10 during tag recovery, calculating team formation spacing

Science

Understanding forces involved in stopping forward movement, momentum changes during defensive stepping back

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of field dimensions and boundary concepts

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, leadership responsibilities, conflict resolution during officiating decisions

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Rotate between playing areas to observe all groups, position near referee areas to support decision-making

Observation Focus

Watch for defensive line formation quality, offside rule understanding, team coordination during pressure situations

Intervention Points

Step in when safety is compromised, support referees with difficult decisions, provide tactical guidance during team discussions

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for defensive positioning, clearly show offside positions, model positive communication and sportsmanship

Verbal Cues

•'Step back together as one team!'
•'Check your line - nice and straight!'
•'Communicate your positions!'
•'Well done referees, clear decision!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m clear playing area per group, additional space for multiple games simultaneously

Surface Check

Level grass or sports hall surface, free from holes, debris, and wet patches

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tag belts for wear and secure Velcro fastenings
•Ensure rugby balls are properly inflated and not damaged
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during fast-paced gameplay
•Slips and falls on wet surfaces
•Overstretching during warm-up or cool-down
•Tag belt injuries from incorrect removal

Risk Mitigation

•Emphasise controlled movement and spatial awareness throughout
•Demonstrate safe tagging technique repeatedly
•Enforce progressive intensity from walking to running
•Regular reminders about playing within marked boundaries

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear view of all playing areas
•Monitor referee areas for consistent rule application
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety
•Ensure immediate response to any incidents

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately with clear whistle signal, assess any injuries using school first aid protocols, have emergency contact details readily available