Lesson 2 - Ball Control and Team Possession
Tactical Mastery & Team Dynamics
•Year 6
•Football
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How can we use different dribbling speeds and teamwork to keep possession against defenders?
Learning Objectives
- To combine dribbling and passing skills to maintain team possession
- To demonstrate leadership and decision-making in game situations
- To apply tactical awareness when attacking and defending
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully combine skills to retain possession in competitive situations
- Students will demonstrate leadership through communication and tactical decisions
- Students will show improved ball control with head up awareness
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 3 footballs for better control, tennis balls for close control practice
Mark out lanes, areas, and end zones clearly
Alternative: Markers, bibs, or chalk lines
Distinguish teams and roles clearly in games
Alternative: Different coloured tops or bands
Key Vocabulary
The speed or pace at which you move with the ball
Keeping control of the ball as a team
Moving away from a defender to receive the ball or create space
Guiding and encouraging teammates to work together effectively
The scoring area at each end of the playing field
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic dribbling with inside and outside of foot
- Simple passing and receiving techniques
- Understanding of space and possession
Current Skills
- Variable tempo dribbling
- Getting free from defenders
- Combining skills under pressure
- Leadership in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced 1v1 attacking moves
- Complex passing combinations
- Tactical formations and roles
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise heads-up play during all dribbling activities for safety and effectiveness
- Model and reward positive leadership communication throughout the lesson
- Progress systematically from individual skills to team application under pressure
- Balance skill development with tactical understanding in possession play
- Celebrate both effort and achievement to maintain motivation and inclusivity
- Use specific, constructive feedback to help students improve during activities
- Maintain high activity levels while ensuring adequate rest and reflection time
Common Misconceptions
- That dribbling means always running at top speed - teach tempo variation and control
- That leadership means being the loudest - emphasise supportive and tactical communication
- That keeping possession means never taking risks - teach when to be safe vs when to attack
- That individual skills are more important than team play - demonstrate how they combine
- That making mistakes means you're not improving - celebrate learning from errors
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive feedback, use clear boundaries and structured activities
dyspraxia
- Use larger, softer balls initially, reduce complexity of skills, provide extra practice time, focus on effort over outcome
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routines, use visual schedules, create quiet zones if needed, maintain consistent expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted peer partners for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written game rules and objectives displayed
physical disability
- Adapt to seated dribbling where appropriate, modify area sizes, use lighter balls, adjust game rules for accessibility
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Developing communication skills, using precise vocabulary to describe tactics, listening and following complex instructions
Maths
Calculating areas for game zones, timing activities and possession sequences, measuring distances for tactical positioning
Science
Understanding forces in kicking and ball control, studying body systems during exercise, exploring balance and momentum in movement
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and movement patterns, mapping tactics and formations
PSHE
Leadership development, teamwork and cooperation, building resilience and confidence, managing emotions in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activity areas to observe all groups, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for leadership behaviours, skill progression, and safety awareness throughout lesson
Intervention Points
Step in to provide encouragement, correct techniques, or manage behaviour as needed
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for skills, model positive communication constantly, show both successful and learning moments
Verbal Cues
- •'Heads up, look where you're going!'
- •'Great communication there!'
- •'Can you change your speed?'
- •'Help your teammates by talking to them!'
- •'Well done for staying calm under pressure!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 40m x 30m for multiple activities, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even grass or appropriate artificial surface, free from holes or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify bibs are clean and appropriate size
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during dribbling activities
- •Trips and falls on uneven surfaces
- •Overexertion during high-intensity possession games
- •Contact injuries during competitive games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and spacing between activity areas
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Regular monitoring of student fatigue levels
- •Emphasis on controlled, skilful play over physical challenges
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all activity areas
- •Monitor high-intensity games for safety and fair play
- •Watch for signs of overexertion or injury
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safely positioned away from incident