Lesson 2 - Miss Pass Technique and Application
Team Coordination
•Year 5
•Tag Rugby
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can strategic passing decisions give our team an advantage in attack?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and execute the miss pass technique effectively
- To apply the miss pass strategically to outwit defenders and create scoring opportunities
- To demonstrate understanding of when, where and why to use different passing techniques in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute miss passes accurately whilst moving at speed
- Students will demonstrate tactical awareness by choosing appropriate moments to use miss passes
- Students will show improved attacking patterns through effective communication and support play
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure tags are securely attached and visible
Alternative: Bibs tucked into shorts, touch rugby adaptation
Check inflation and condition before lesson
Alternative: Soft play rugby balls, foam rugby balls for beginners
Use to mark zones, try lines and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, spots, chalk lines
Contrasting colours for easy team identification
Alternative: Team bands, different coloured tags
Key Vocabulary
A pass that deliberately bypasses the nearest supporting player to reach a player further away
Positioning yourself to help the ball carrier by providing passing options
Passing the ball quickly before being tagged to maintain attack
Spreading out the defending team to create gaps and opportunities
The direction and path players take when supporting an attack
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and catching with both hands
- Understanding of basic tag rugby rules and scoring
- Experience with simple 2v1 attacking scenarios
Current Skills
- Miss pass technique and execution
- Strategic decision-making in attack
- Advanced support play and communication
Next Steps
- Combining miss passes with other advanced techniques
- Defensive strategies to counter miss passes
- Full game application with complex tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Miss passes must bypass the nearest player cleanly - accuracy is crucial for success
- Timing of the pass depends on defender positioning - read the defence before deciding
- Communication between attackers is essential - call names and give clear signals
- The dummy runner must sell the deception convincingly to confuse defenders
- Ball carriers must be brave and pass just before being tagged - timing is everything
- Support players must maintain formation and be ready for unexpected passes
- Miss passes work best when defenders are drawn to the nearest attacker
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking miss passes should be used in every situation - they're a tactical tool for specific moments
- Believing the pass must be thrown higher - it should travel in a direct line past the first player
- Assuming miss passes are only for advanced players - the technique can be learned progressively
- Thinking the dummy runner is unimportant - they're crucial for selling the deception
- Believing you need lots of space - miss passes can work in tight situations with good timing
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear and frequent instructions, use movement to maintain engagement, offer leadership roles to channel energy positively
dyspraxia
- Allow extra practice time for coordination skills, use larger target areas, provide step-by-step skill breakdowns, offer additional demonstrations and support
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, use visual schedules for lesson phases, offer quiet zones for breaks, maintain consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for support, use tactile markers for positioning
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and demonstrations, ensure good sight lines for lip reading, provide written instruction cards, use gesture-based communication systems
physical disability
- Adapt to wheelchair use with modified tagging rules, adjust distances and speeds as needed, provide alternative roles such as coach or referee, use lighter balls if necessary
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating angles for miss passes, measuring distances for optimal spacing, timing sequences and counting patterns
Science
Understanding force and trajectory in passing, body mechanics during movement, reaction times and decision-making
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, reading patterns and formations, understanding direction and movement
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership development, managing pressure and making decisions, building resilience
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of activities for optimal view of all students, position closer during new skill introduction
Observation Focus
Watch for miss pass timing, communication quality, tactical decision-making, and safe play
Intervention Points
Step in to coach individuals struggling with technique, address safety concerns immediately, provide tactical tips during game phases
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate miss pass technique from multiple angles, emphasise timing and decision-making, use student helpers to show team patterns
Verbal Cues
- •'Miss the first player!'
- •'Call your target's name!'
- •'Read the defender!'
- •'Pass before the tag!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface suitable for running and quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rugby balls for proper inflation and no damage
- •Ensure tag belts fit securely without being too tight
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during rapid movement
- •Slips and falls during direction changes
- •Ball strikes to face or head
- •Over-aggressive tagging technique
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and movement patterns established
- •Adequate spacing maintained between activities
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Emphasis on controlled contact and safe tagging
- •Regular safety reminders throughout lesson
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups
- •Monitor high-activity game situations closely
- •Be prepared to intervene if play becomes too aggressive
- •Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school first aider if needed