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Lesson 4 - Player Awareness & Taps

Technical to Tactical

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Year 5

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Tag Rugby

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Big Question

How can tactical passing decisions and understanding offside rules give my team the advantage in rugby?

Learning Objectives

To execute passes that miss out players in a line for tactical advantage
To perform tap penalties with dummy half support correctly
To understand and apply offside rules in game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully pass missing out teammates to create attacking opportunities
Students will demonstrate correct tap penalty technique with dummy half play
Students will show understanding of offside by positioning correctly during game play

Equipment & Resources Required

Rugby Balls

6-8 balls

Placed around the outside of the playing area for easy access

Alternative: Touch rugby balls or footballs

Tag Belts

2 per student (60 tags, 30 belts)

Each student needs 2 tags attached to belt around waist

Alternative: Bibs that can be pulled out

Cones

20 cones

6 cones for warm-up grid, remainder for boundaries and markers

Alternative: Markers or spots

Coloured Bibs

15 bibs (3 colours, 5 each)

For identifying teams during game activities

Alternative: Team bands or markers

Key Vocabulary

Missing out

Passing the ball to a player who is not directly next to you in the line, skipping over teammates

Tap penalty

A method of restarting play where the ball is touched lightly with the foot before being picked up

Dummy half

The player who collects the ball after it has been played back and distributes it to teammates

Offside

Being in a position where you cannot legally participate in play - behind the ball when your team doesn't have it

Play the ball

After being tagged, rolling the ball backwards through your legs with your foot to restart play

Cross runs

Players running across each other's paths to confuse defenders

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic ball handling and passing techniques
Understanding of basic rugby rules and tagging
Experience with simple attacking and defending

Current Skills

Tactical passing decisions - missing out players
Set piece execution - tap penalties with dummy half
Rule understanding - offside positioning

Next Steps

Complex attacking patterns with multiple phases
Advanced defensive strategies and communication
Full game application with all rules integrated

Milestone Indicators

Students deliberately choose which player to pass to based on game situation

Students can explain why they made specific passing decisions

Students self-regulate their positioning according to offside rule

Key Teaching Points

Missing out players creates tactical advantages by confusing defenders and creating gaps
Dummy half role is crucial for maintaining attacking momentum after tags
Offside rule ensures fair play and requires constant positional awareness
Skill combination (catch-feint-pass) is more important than individual skill perfection
Tactical decision making improves through practice and game application
Communication and teamwork are essential for successful attacking play
Safety in contact situations must always be prioritised over competitive success

Common Misconceptions

Thinking you must always pass to the nearest player - explain tactical benefits of missing out
Believing offside only applies when opponents have the ball - clarify it's about being behind the play
Assuming dummy half just picks up and passes immediately - emphasise decision making and deception
Thinking tags must be grabbed hard - emphasise gentle removal for safety
Believing faster is always better - emphasise control and decision making over speed

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular position in sequences, frequent positive reinforcement

dyspraxia

Simplified movement patterns initially, larger balls, extra practice time, step-by-step skill breakdown

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual timetable of activities, quiet zones for breaks, consistent rules and expectations

visual impairment

Use bright coloured tags and balls, provide clear verbal descriptions of positioning, buddy system for spatial awareness

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for stop/start, demonstrate all instructions, written rule cards available

physical disability

Adapted tagging techniques, modified distances, seated or supported positions available, alternative passing methods

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Precise vocabulary usage, clear communication of tactics, following complex instructions

Science

Understanding forces in passing, momentum in running, physics of ball flight and catching

Geography

Spatial awareness, directions and positioning on field, mapping movement patterns

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, fair play and rule following, resilience when things don't go to plan

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around the outside of activities to maintain view of all groups, position near highest risk activities

Observation Focus

Watch for correct technique application, safe play, and understanding of rules

Intervention Points

Step in when safety is compromised, technique needs correction, or rule understanding is unclear

Demonstration Notes

Use students to demonstrate whenever possible, exaggerate key points for visibility, repeat demonstrations as needed

Verbal Cues

•'Soft hands for catching!'
•'Look before you pass!'
•'Check your position - are you onside?'
•'Great tactical thinking!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full sports hall or large playground area minimum 40m x 60m

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, adequate grip for running and stopping

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all tags are securely attached to belts
•Ensure rugby balls are properly inflated and in good condition
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during crossing activities
•Trips from loose tags on ground
•Contact during tagging attempts
•Confusion leading to unsafe positioning

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries and working areas established
•Controlled speeds emphasised throughout
•Proper tagging technique demonstrated and enforced
•Regular reminders about spatial awareness

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe multiple groups simultaneously
•Monitor high-activity crossing areas closely
•Watch for overly physical tagging attempts
•Ensure proper tag replacement after dropping

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately, assess any injuries, apply appropriate first aid, ensure clear access for emergency services if needed